Data Import & Export

How to Insert Multilingual Data from a Picture in Excel for iPad

Emma Brown Oct 13, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to extract tabular data containing multiple languages from an image and insert it into an Excel spreadsheet on an iPad.

How to Insert Multilingual Data from a Picture in Excel for iPad

Product: Microsoft Excel for iPad
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Using the iPad camera and the data-from-picture feature to digitize printed tables with multilingual text.
Observed behavior: Recognition quality drops or fails when scanning multiple languages, especially if the Excel application is outdated.

Before you start

Before updating or reinstalling the Excel app, ensure all locally saved workbooks on your iPad are backed up to OneDrive or iCloud to prevent data loss during uninstallation.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Excel to the Latest Version

Updating the application ensures you have the latest bug fixes and improvements for the data-from-picture feature.

Microsoft frequently updates the OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capabilities of the Excel app. If you are experiencing poor recognition of multilingual text, ensuring your app is fully up to date is the best first step.

Open the App Store

Tap on the App Store icon on your iPad home screen.

Check for Updates

Tap your profile icon in the top right corner and scroll down to see pending updates.

Update Excel

Find Microsoft Excel in the list and tap the 'Update' button next to it. Once installed, retry the data-from-picture feature.

Version Note: If you are already on the latest version (e.g., version 2.77 or newer) and the feature still struggles, proceed to the backup and reinstall method.

Solution 2

Back Up Local Files and Reinstall Excel

Reinstalling Excel can clear corrupted application data that might be hindering the camera recognition feature.

Advanced Image to Table Extraction

Easily Convert Multilingual Pictures to Spreadsheets with WPS Office

If you are struggling with Excel's OCR limitations, WPS Office provides a powerful, built-in Image to Spreadsheet tool that accurately detects multiple languages and formatting directly from your mobile device.

1. Open WPS Office: Download and launch the WPS Office app on your iPad.
2. Select Image to Spreadsheet: Tap on 'Tools' at the bottom menu, then choose 'Image to Spreadsheet'.
3. Capture or Import Image: Use your iPad camera to take a clear photo of the multilingual table, or select an existing image from your gallery.
4. Extract and Edit: Allow the smart OCR to process the text. Review the extracted data, make any necessary adjustments, and save the file.

High-accuracy multilingual OCR for complex printed tablesSeamlessly export results to Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formatsFree and lightweight alternative to heavy Office installationsCross-platform synchronization across iPad, iPhone, Mac, and Windows

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the data-from-picture feature failing to recognize certain languages?

Recognition accuracy heavily depends on lighting, print clarity, and the app's internal OCR dictionary. Mixing widely different languages in one table can confuse the recognition engine, especially on older versions of the app.

Will I lose my spreadsheets if I uninstall Excel on my iPad?

Yes, if they are saved locally 'On My iPad'. Uninstalling the app removes all local app data. You must manually back up these files to OneDrive, iCloud, or another cloud service before deleting the app.

How can I improve the accuracy of picture-to-table conversions?

Ensure your document is well-lit without shadows or glare, keep the iPad parallel to the paper to avoid distortion, and ensure table gridlines are clearly visible before snapping the picture.

Excel & Data Problems