Data Import & Export

How to Fix Excel Image Import Stuck at 20 Percent During OCR

Olivia Miller Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is trying to import or extract data from a JPG file into an Excel spreadsheet, but the process gets permanently stuck at 20 percent.

How to Fix Excel Image Import Stuck at 20 Percent During OCR

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to extract text or table data from an image file using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) features.
Observed behavior: The image import and preparation process freezes, remaining stuck at 20 percent without completing the data extraction or displaying a clear error message.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection, as cloud-based OCR features require online access to process images. Also, verify that your JPG file is not corrupted and is clearly legible.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the 'Data from Picture' Feature Instead of Standard Insert

Clarify your goal: if you want to extract editable text, you must use the specific OCR tool rather than the standard image insertion method, which can sometimes cause processing confusion.

Many users experience freezing when they try to paste a large image directly into a cell while a background data-recognition process triggers incorrectly. Using the dedicated data extraction menu ensures the OCR engine handles the file properly.

Navigate to the Data Tab

Open your Excel workbook and click on the 'Data' tab located in the top ribbon.

Select Data from Picture

Click on 'Get Data' (or directly look for the camera icon), choose 'From Picture', and then select 'Picture from File'.

Review and Insert

Wait for the sidebar to analyze the image. Once the OCR completes, review any highlighted low-confidence words, correct them, and click 'Insert Data'.

Use the 'Data from Picture' Feature Instead of Standard Insert

Feature Availability: The 'Data from Picture' OCR feature is primarily available in newer versions of Microsoft 365. Older versions may not support this native extraction.

Solution 2

Optimize and Resize the Source Image

Overly large, high-resolution, or complex images can cause the OCR engine to time out or freeze at 20 percent during the analyzing phase.

Extract Tables from Images Easily

Use WPS Office to Extract Table Data from Images Smoothly

If Excel's native image import keeps freezing, WPS Spreadsheet offers a highly accurate, built-in 'Picture to Excel' OCR tool. It quickly and reliably converts image tables into editable cells without getting stuck.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office, open the Spreadsheet module, and create a new or existing workbook.
2. Access the OCR Tool: Go to the 'Tools' tab on the ribbon and click on the 'Picture to Excel' button.
3. Select Your Image: Click to upload your JPG or PNG file from your local storage.
4. Convert to Editable Data: Allow the smart OCR a few seconds to process the image, then confirm the conversion to place the extracted data directly into your cells.

Advanced, fast OCR technology that prevents freezing during image analysisFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) file formatsLightweight architecture ensures smooth performance on all devicesEasily extracts complex table layouts from JPG, PNG, and PDF files

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the image import process get stuck at exactly 20 percent?

Getting stuck at 20 percent usually indicates that the software has successfully loaded the file but is failing to communicate with the cloud-based OCR servers to analyze the text. This is often caused by network firewalls, internet connectivity drops, or a temporary server outage.

What is the difference between inserting an image and using OCR in a spreadsheet?

Inserting an image simply places a static graphic over your spreadsheet grid, which you cannot edit. OCR (Optical Character Recognition) analyzes the picture, reads the text and numbers, and converts them into actual, editable cell data.

Which image formats work best for extracting data to Excel?

Standard formats like JPG, JPEG, and PNG work best. For the highest OCR accuracy, ensure the image has high contrast (e.g., black text on a white background), is well-lit, and is not tilted or blurry.

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