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How to Fix Excel Data from Picture Internal Error

Maira MehtabMaira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users need to resolve an issue where the Data from Picture feature in Excel fails to work and instead displays an error message.

Product
Microsoft Excel
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Attempting to extract data from an image and insert it into a spreadsheet using the Data from Picture tool.
Observed behavior
Excel displays an 'Internal Error' message, preventing the image from being processed and converted into spreadsheet cells, likely due to a bug in the current Excel build or a backend service outage.
Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure your device is connected to a stable internet connection, as the Data from Picture feature relies on cloud-based cognitive services to process and extract text from images.

Solution 1Recommended

Submit a Service Ticket via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

If the internal error is caused by a bug in the current Excel build or a service outage, reporting it through your organization's administrator is the most effective way to get it investigated.

Because this specific internal error often points to a backend service issue or a bug in the latest Office update, standard local troubleshooting (like reinstalling the app) may not resolve it. The Microsoft development team needs to be notified.

1
Contact your IT administrator

Reach out to your organization's Microsoft 365 administrator and inform them about the Data from Picture internal error.

2
Access the Admin Center

Ask the administrator to log into the Microsoft 365 admin center using their admin credentials.

3
Create a service request

Navigate to Support > New service request, describe the bug affecting the Excel Data from Picture feature, and submit the ticket for investigation.

Admin Access Required: Only users with Microsoft 365 administrative privileges can open service tickets through the admin center. Regular end-users must route this request through their IT department.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

Extract Data from Images Seamlessly with WPS Office

If Microsoft Excel's Data from Picture feature is temporarily unavailable due to internal bugs, you can continue your work using WPS Office. It offers a robust, free, and lightweight alternative with a powerful built-in picture-to-spreadsheet extraction tool.

  1. 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
  2. 2. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch the application and create a new blank workbook in WPS Spreadsheets.
  3. 3. Access OCR tools: Go to the 'Tools' tab on the ribbon and select the 'Picture to Excel' or 'Picture to Text' feature.
  4. 4. Extract your data: Upload your image and allow the tool to accurately extract the information directly into your spreadsheet cells.
Seamlessly convert images to editable spreadsheet data using the built-in OCR tools without relying on Excel's backend services.Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel formats including .xlsx, .xls, and .csv files.Lightweight design ensures quick loading and smooth performance on desktop and mobile devices.Familiar user interface requires no learning curve to transition away from Microsoft 365.
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel say 'Internal Error' when using Data from Picture?

This error usually indicates a bug in your current Excel build or a temporary outage with Microsoft's cloud-based cognitive services, which process the image data. It is generally not caused by a problem with your specific file or local device.

Is there a workaround to extract data from a picture while Excel is broken?

Yes, you can use alternative office software like WPS Office, which features its own built-in Picture to Spreadsheet tool. Alternatively, you can use third-party OCR (Optical Character Recognition) apps or websites to convert your image into text, and then paste that text into Excel.

How do I check if Microsoft services are experiencing an outage?

Your organization's IT administrator can visit the Microsoft 365 Service health dashboard within the admin center to check for any ongoing service degradations or outages related to Microsoft Office or its cloud intelligence services.