How to insert pictures in Excel based on a cell value

Pictures on the web: the IMAGE function

In Microsoft 365, the IMAGE function places a picture inside a cell from a web address. If every picture has an https address built from the product code, a formula such as =IMAGE("https://example.com/photos/"&A2&".jpg") follows the code in A2. The address in this example is illustrative.

IMAGE reads https addresses only. It does not open files from a local folder or a network share, so it fits when your pictures are already published online, for example on your web shop.

Pictures in a folder: a VBA macro

A macro can go down the column, build a path from the photo folder, the code and an extension such as .jpg, and insert each picture next to its cell. It is free and can fill a whole list in one run.

You maintain the code yourself: missing files, other extensions such as .png, several pictures for the same product, picture size and workbook size all need handling. The workbook must be saved as macro-enabled, and many companies restrict macros for security reasons.

Pictures in a folder or database: SkuGallery

SkuGallery is an add-in for desktop Excel on Windows. It indexes a local folder or network share, or reads photo paths from MySQL, SQL Server or PostgreSQL. Select a cell with a product code and the matching pictures appear in a panel beside the sheet, including several colours or views of the same product.

Choose the picture you want and insert it next to the cell at the size you need. The pictures stay in their folders; the workbook changes only when you insert one. To find codes without pictures, Check photos writes a report for a selected list.

Try SkuGallery in three steps

1. In Settings → Catalog, choose your photo folder and run Reindex.
2. Select a cell with a product code and choose Show Photo.
3. Pick the colour or view, check the destination in Settings → Panel → Insert photo, then use the insert command.

If a picture does not appear, test one of your file names in Settings → Photos and compare the detected code with the value in the cell.

Which method fits your list

Use IMAGE when the pictures are online at addresses that follow the product code. Use a macro when every row must be filled automatically and someone can maintain the code.

SkuGallery fits when the pictures live in folders or a database, a product has several pictures, and you want to see them before choosing one. It inserts the pictures you choose, one at a time; it does not fill every row of a list automatically.