'%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)
Why Data from Picture is Unavailable in Excel 2021 & How to Fix It
Question details
The user needs to use the Data from Picture capability in Excel but is unable to locate or enable the feature within their perpetual software license.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to extract tabular data from an image and convert it into editable spreadsheet cells using Excel's built-in image recognition tools.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Data from Picture' option is completely absent from the ribbon menu because it is not supported or included in Office 2021.
Verify your current Microsoft Office version and ensure you have access to an active Microsoft 365 subscription account before uninstalling your existing software.
Upgrade from Office 2021 to Microsoft 365
Since Data from Picture is an exclusive cloud-backed feature for Microsoft 365, you must uninstall your perpetual Office 2021 version and install the subscription version.
Microsoft restricts the 'Data from Picture' feature to Microsoft 365 subscribers. It cannot be enabled, patched, or added via third-party add-ins to Office 2021, Office 2019, or older perpetual licenses.
Open your computer's Control Panel or Windows Settings, navigate to Apps or Programs, select Microsoft Office 2021, and click Uninstall.
Go to the official Microsoft Office website and log in using the Microsoft account associated with your active Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Student subscription.
Click the 'Install Office' button to download the Microsoft 365 setup file. Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Launch Microsoft Excel, sign in with your Microsoft 365 credentials to activate the software, and navigate to the Data tab to access the Data from Picture feature.
Extract Data from Pictures for Free with WPS Office
Don't want to pay for an expensive Microsoft 365 subscription just for image extraction? WPS Spreadsheet includes a built-in 'Picture to Excel' tool that uses advanced OCR to instantly convert images into editable tables.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open a new or existing Spreadsheet document.
- 2. Access the OCR Tool: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon menu and click on the 'Picture to Excel' or 'OCR' option.
- 3. Upload the Image: Select the image file from your computer that contains the tabular data you wish to extract.
- 4. Convert to Data: Click 'Convert'. WPS Office will process the image and automatically populate your spreadsheet cells with the extracted data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download the Data from Picture feature as an add-in for Office 2021?
No, Data from Picture is a proprietary cloud-based service integrated exclusively into the core of Microsoft 365. It cannot be downloaded or installed as a separate add-in for Office 2021 or earlier perpetual versions.
Is Data from Picture available on the web version of Excel?
Yes, Data from Picture is available in Excel for the Web for users who have a Microsoft 365 subscription or a free Microsoft account, though availability may depend on regional rollout.
Why doesn't my Microsoft 365 show the Data from Picture option even after upgrading?
If you are using Microsoft 365 and still cannot see the feature, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options > Privacy Settings, and ensure that 'Connected Experiences' is enabled, as this feature requires cloud connectivity.
