Document Editing Problems

How to Move and Size Pictures with Cells in Excel on OneDrive

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to configure pictures in an Excel workbook saved on OneDrive so they automatically move and resize when the underlying cells are filtered, hidden, or rearranged.

How to Move Excel Pictures with Cells in a OneDrive Workbook

Product: Microsoft Excel, OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Adjusting picture properties in an online workbook so that images align properly when rows and columns are modified.
Observed behavior: Excel for the web lacks advanced picture-formatting options, requiring the user to switch to the desktop application to apply the correct layout properties to images.

Before you start

Ensure you have the Microsoft Excel desktop application installed on your computer, as Excel for the web currently does not support modifying advanced picture properties.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Excel Desktop App to Modify Picture Properties

Open your OneDrive workbook in the full Excel desktop application to access the necessary properties for locking images to cells.

Because Excel for the web provides limited formatting tools, you must transition your session to the desktop app. Once the settings are applied and saved, the correct picture behavior will persist even when viewing the file online.

Open in Desktop App

While viewing your workbook in Excel for the web, click the 'Editing' or 'Viewing' button on the top ribbon and select 'Open in Desktop App' to launch the full version of Excel.

Access Picture Properties

Locate and right-click the inserted picture in your worksheet. From the context menu, select 'Size and Properties' or 'Format Picture' to open the formatting pane on the right side of your screen.

Enable Move and Size with Cells

In the Format Picture pane, click the 'Size & Properties' icon, expand the 'Properties' section, and choose the 'Move and size with cells' radio button.

Save and Synchronize

Click 'Save' in the desktop application. Allow OneDrive a moment to synchronize the changes back to the cloud.

Use the Excel Desktop App to Modify Picture Properties

Web Limitations: You can verify the setting by reopening the document in Excel for the web, but you cannot actively change this specific property without using the desktop application.

Efficient Spreadsheet Editing

Easily Manage Excel Pictures and Objects with WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet provides a comprehensive set of advanced image and object formatting tools natively. You can easily lock pictures to cells without experiencing the feature limitations often found in web-based spreadsheet tools.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open your .xlsx workbook containing the inserted images.
2. Select Format Object: Right-click the picture you want to adjust and select 'Format Object' from the dropdown menu to open the properties sidebar.
3. Adjust Cell Properties: In the right-hand pane, navigate to the 'Size & Properties' tab, expand the 'Properties' menu, and select 'Move and size with cells'.
4. Save Your Document: Click the Save icon. Your formatting settings will be perfectly preserved in the standard Excel format.

Free and lightweight office suite for daily tasksFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) file formatsIntuitive 'Move and size with cells' formatting options natively availableSeamless cloud integration and synchronization

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I find the 'Size and Properties' option in Excel for the web?

Excel for the web currently provides limited image formatting capabilities to ensure fast browser performance. To access advanced features like 'Size and Properties', you must click 'Open in Desktop App' to edit the workbook in the full Excel application.

If I apply 'Move and size with cells' on the desktop, will it work when others view the file on OneDrive?

Yes. Once you configure the picture properties in the desktop application and save the workbook, the settings synchronize via OneDrive. The images will move and resize correctly when others view or filter the document online.

Why do my pictures overlap when I hide rows in my spreadsheet?

This happens if your pictures are currently set to 'Move but don't size with cells' or 'Don't move or size with cells'. Changing the property to 'Move and size with cells' ensures the images are hidden or resized proportionally when the underlying rows are modified.

Document & File Issues