Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 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: Adding Graphics to a Header or Footer.

Adding Graphics to a Header or Footer

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 12, 2025)

Excel users have, for years, asked if there is a way to place graphics in headers or footers. Various methods have been devised to do just that, as discussed in other ExcelTips. Users of Excel 2002 and Excel 2003 may be glad to know that it is even easier to add graphics to headers or footers. In fact, Microsoft added a direct capability to place graphics in headers or footers. Just follow these steps:

  1. Choose Page Setup from the File menu. Excel displays the Page Setup dialog box.
  2. Make sure the Header/Footer tab is selected. (See Figure 1.)

    3. Figure 1. The Header/Footer tab of the Page Setup dialog box.

  3. Click on the Custom Header or Custom Footer button, depending on which one you want to change. Excel displays either the Header or Footer dialog box. (See Figure 2.)

    4. Figure 2. The Footer dialog box.

  4. Select the section of the header or footer (left, center, or right) in which you want your graphic to appear.
  5. Click on the Insert Picture button. It is the second button from the right. Excel displays the Insert Picture dialog box.
  6. Use the controls in the dialog box to locate and select the graphic you want in the header or footer.
  7. Click on Insert. Excel places the graphic at the designated spot in the header or footer, displaying the code &[Picture] where the graphic will appear.
  8. Make other changes to the header or footer, as desired.
  9. Click on the OK button to close the Header or Footer dialog box.
  10. Click on OK to close the Page Setup dialog box.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2697) applies to Microsoft Excel 2002 and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Adding Graphics to a Header or Footer.

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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