Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Moving and Copying Graphics Objects.

Moving and Copying Graphics Objects

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 25, 2021)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


To move an object, click on one of the lines that make up the object. You should see small boxes (handles) appear around the edges of the object. When the handles appear, point to one of the lines in the object—do not point to the handles. Click and hold down the mouse button and move the mouse. The object is dragged along with the mouse pointer. When you release the mouse button, the object stays at the new position.

When you want to copy a graphics object, select the object as already described. Then, press Ctrl+C to copy the object to the Clipboard. You can then press Ctrl+V to paste the object in the worksheet. You can then move the newly pasted object to where you want it to appear.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2317) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Moving and Copying Graphics Objects.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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