'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Insert Data from a Picture in Excel Desktop and Online
Question details
Users need to extract tabular data from an image into an editable spreadsheet on desktop or web, a feature they already use in the mobile app.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows, Web
- Scenario
- A user wants to quickly convert an image containing a table into Excel format on their computer to forward troubleshooting or financial data.
- Observed behavior
- The Data from Picture feature is missing from the Data tab in standard Excel update channels for Windows and the web.
Verify your Microsoft 365 subscription status and check with your IT administrator to see if you have permissions to change your Office update channels.
Update Excel and Join the Office Insider Channel
Because the Data from Picture feature is introduced gradually, you may need to switch to an earlier update channel (like Beta or Preview) to access it immediately.
The feature was initially rolled out in the Office Insider Beta Channel version 2207 (build 15402.20002) and Excel Current Channel Preview version 2208 (build 15601.20064). Changing your channel allows you to receive these features before general release.
Launch Microsoft Excel, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
Look for the 'Office Insider' section, click on the button, and choose 'Join Office Insider'. Select either the Beta Channel or the Current Channel (Preview).
Click the 'Update Options' button next to Office Updates and select 'Update Now' to download and install the latest available build.
Once updated and restarted, open a workbook, navigate to the 'Data' tab on the ribbon, and click on 'Data from Picture' to insert your image.
Extract Data from Pictures Instantly with WPS Office
If the Data from Picture feature is unavailable in your current Excel version, WPS Office offers a powerful, built-in OCR feature to quickly extract tables and text from images directly on your desktop.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office on your computer and open a new or existing Spreadsheet document.
- 2. Access Picture to Text: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon menu and click on the 'Picture to Text' or 'Picture to Excel' option.
- 3. Upload the Image: Browse and select the image file containing the table or data you wish to extract.
- 4. Convert to Table: Confirm the conversion settings and click 'Convert'. The extracted data will automatically populate into your spreadsheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 'Data from Picture' button missing in Excel?
Microsoft releases new features gradually based on update channels. If you are on a Semi-Annual or standard Enterprise channel, the feature may not have reached your version yet.
Can I use Excel Mobile to extract tables from images instead?
Yes, the Data from Picture feature is fully supported in the Excel Mobile app for iOS and Android. You can use your phone's camera to capture a table and then open the saved workbook on your desktop.
How accurate is the Data from Picture feature?
The feature uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) which is highly accurate for clear, well-lit images with printed text. However, handwritten text, blurry images, or complex merged cells may require manual correction after extraction.
