Office Settings & Configuration

How to Remove Online and Stock Picture Options from Excel 365

Muhammad Talha Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to remove Online, Icon, and Stock image choices from the Insert Pictures dialog in Excel 365 and set the default open path to the workbook's current folder.

How to Remove Online and Stock Picture Options from Excel 365

Product: Excel 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Inserting pictures into an Excel spreadsheet.
Observed behavior: Excel displays additional online/stock image choices and defaults to opening the Pictures folder instead of the workbook's directory.

Before you start

Verify your exact Excel 365 build version by going to File > Account, as Microsoft occasionally shifts UI options and connected experience settings in newer updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Submit Feedback for Missing Insert Picture Settings

Since Excel does not natively support removing these options or changing the default folder, submitting official feedback is the best way to request this feature.

Currently, Microsoft 365 (version 2404 and later) hardcodes the Online, Icon, and Stock Picture options into the Insert Pictures dialog. There is no built-in setting to remove them or to force the dialog to open the current workbook's folder by default.

Open Excel Feedback

Launch Excel 365 and navigate to the 'Help' tab on the ribbon, or go to 'File' and select 'Feedback'.

Provide a Suggestion

Click on 'I have a suggestion' (or 'Send a Suggestion').

Detail Your Request

Explain that you want an option to disable Stock/Online pictures and a setting to default the insert picture folder to the active workbook's path, then click 'Submit'.

Submit Feedback for Missing Insert Picture Settings

Why does this happen?: Microsoft integrates 'Connected Experiences' tightly into Microsoft 365 to promote cloud and premium stock content, which is why these options cannot be easily removed through standard settings.

Solution 2

Use a VBA Macro to Insert Local Pictures

Bypass the default Insert Picture dialog entirely by using a VBA macro that opens your workbook's current folder directly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the default picture insertion folder in Excel 365?

Currently, Excel 365 does not offer a built-in setting to change the default Insert Pictures folder to match the active workbook's location. It typically defaults to your system's default Pictures folder.

Will disabling Connected Experiences remove the Stock Images option?

Disabling Connected Experiences in Excel's Trust Center can disable Online Pictures, but it often leaves the Stock Images button visible (though non-functional) and disables other important cloud features like Help and OneDrive sync.

Is it possible to revert to the old Insert Picture dialog?

No, Microsoft updates the Office 365 user interface globally. Unless you are using an older, perpetual license version like Office 2016 or 2019, you cannot revert to the classic legacy dialog box natively.

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