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: Sorting with Graphics.
You already know that Excel allows you to place graphics in your worksheets. You may not know, however, that Excel allows you to sort graphics along with the regular data in your tables. For instance, you could create an inventory table that has the requisite part numbers, descriptions, and quantities. You could also include a column that shows a small picture of each inventory item. When you later sort the table, the pictures sort right along with the rest of the data in the table.
If you can't seem to make the graphics sort along with the other data in the table, keep these pointers in mind:
If your graphics still won't sort, the properties of the graphic may have been changed to prohibit sorting. Follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Properties tab of the Format Picture dialog box.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2954) 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: Sorting with Graphics.
Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2013 For Dummies today!
Determining the length of a text string is easy, but figuring out how many pixels are represented by those characters is ...
Discover MoreHave you ever wanted to take a "picture" of a part of a worksheet and put it in another section? This tip explains how to use ...
Discover MoreEver wanted to create a simple drawing in your worksheet? Excel has made this simple. This tip explains how Excel uses ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2017-08-15 18:11:54
ben
Hi Allen,
I have 1000s of images in many columns and rows. How do I select the entire worksheet so when I do a custom sort for the columns, all of the images are sorted as well?
I can't manually select 1000+ photos. Please help.
2016-11-15 13:08:59
Thank you for this. When I sort my rows (with graphics inside as you described), the height of the rows does not go along with them (it was said to me that the *data* is resorting, not the actual row's characteristics). It seems that whether I have selected "Move and size with cells" or "Move and don't size", when a row sorts and becomes shorter, the graphic smooshes down to fit into that new row height. Do you know a way that I can sort the rows and have them retain the height that I've given them (which in most cases is defined by the size of my graphic, not by how many lines of text are inside the cells)? Thanks!
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2017 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
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: 
Comments