Excel Picture Move and Size with Cells Default?
By default, pictures inserted in Excel do not move or size with cells; they are set to “Move and size with cells” only after you change their properties, and the default behavior is actually “Move but don’t size with cells.” This means a picture will stay anchored to a cell when rows or columns are inserted or deleted, but it will not stretch or shrink when you resize the underlying cells. If you want pictures to automatically adjust with cell size changes, you must change the picture’s properties to “Move and size with cells” either individually or for multiple pictures at once.
How Picture Properties Work in Excel
Excel treats inserted pictures as floating objects that sit on the worksheet’s drawing layer. Each picture has a property setting that controls how it responds to changes in the cells beneath it. The three options are:
- Move and size with cells – The picture moves and resizes when you change row height or column width, and it stays anchored to a specific cell.
- Move but don’t size with cells – The picture moves with the cells (e.g., when you insert or delete rows), but its size stays constant.
- Don’t move or size with cells – The picture is completely independent; it stays in the same position on the sheet even when cells change.
When you insert a picture via the Insert tab or by pasting, Excel assigns the default setting, which is “Move but don’t size with cells.” This is why many users notice that pictures don’t resize when they adjust column widths.
Why the Default Is Not “Move and Size”
The default behavior is deliberate. Microsoft chose “Move but don’t size” to prevent pictures from being unintentionally distorted when users adjust cell sizes for data entry. If every picture were set to “Move and size,” a simple column width adjustment could stretch a logo or product photo, making it look blurry or misaligned. The default strikes a balance: the picture stays with its logical location (so it doesn’t get left behind when rows are inserted) but doesn’t change its dimensions unexpectedly.
For most business and personal uses, this default is sensible. However, if you are building a dashboard or a template where images should fill cells dynamically (e.g., a photo that updates with a cell’s size), you need to change the property.
How to Change a Picture to Move and Size with Cells
To change a single picture’s property:
- Right-click the picture and select Size and Properties from the context menu.
- In the Format Picture pane, click the Size & Properties icon (the square with arrows).
- Under Properties, select Move and size with cells.
- Close the pane. The picture will now resize when you change row heights or column widths.
For multiple pictures, you can select them all by holding Ctrl and clicking each one (or use Select All from the Find & Select menu), then right-click one and follow the same steps. The property change applies to all selected pictures.
If you want to make this the default for all future pictures, you can’t change the global default in Excel’s options. However, you can create a template workbook with the property pre-set, or use a simple VBA macro to apply it automatically when you insert a picture. For most users, changing it on a per-picture basis is sufficient.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
Pictures not resizing when I drag the cell border? This is the most common complaint. The fix is exactly the property change described above. Remember that dragging a row or column border changes the cell size, and the picture only resizes if it’s set to “Move and size.”
Pictures overlapping when I insert a row? If a picture is set to “Move but don’t size,” it will shift down when you insert a row above it, but it won’t change size. If it’s set to “Don’t move or size,” it will stay in place, potentially overlapping the new row. To avoid overlap, use “Move and size” or “Move but don’t size” depending on your need.
Does the default differ between Excel versions? No, the default has been consistent across Excel 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365. The behavior is the same in Excel for Windows and Mac.
Can I set this for all pictures in a sheet at once? Yes, select all pictures (press Ctrl+A while a picture is selected, or use Go To > Special > Objects), then change the property in the Format Picture pane.
Comparing the Three Options
Understanding the differences helps you choose correctly:
- Move and size with cells – Best for dashboards, dynamic charts, or when you want images to fill a specific cell range that may change. Risk: images can become distorted if you resize cells drastically.
- Move but don’t size with cells – Good for logos, icons, or photos that need a consistent size. They stay with the data but don’t stretch.
- Don’t move or size with cells – Useful for watermarks or decorative elements that should stay fixed on the screen regardless of cell changes. They can cover data if you scroll, but they stay put.
In practice, most users keep the default for general use and switch to “Move and size” only when building a layout that requires it.
Alternatives and Workarounds
If you want pictures to automatically fit a cell without manually resizing, you can use the Camera tool (add it to the Quick Access Toolbar). The camera creates a live linked image of a cell range, and that image resizes with the cells. However, it’s a separate object, not a direct picture property.
Another approach is to use Excel’s IMAGE function (available in Microsoft 365). The IMAGE function inserts a picture directly into a cell, and it automatically resizes with the cell. This is a more modern solution, but it requires a subscription and may not work in older versions.
For a non-macro solution, you can create a named range and use a shape with a formula, but that’s overkill for most users.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make all pictures in Excel move and size with cells at once?
Select all pictures by pressing Ctrl+A while any picture is selected (or use Find & Select > Go To Special > Objects), then right-click one and choose Size and Properties. Set the property to “Move and size with cells.” This applies to all selected pictures.
Why does my picture disappear when I filter or hide rows?
If a picture is set to “Move and size with cells,” it will hide when the cell it’s anchored to is hidden. If you want the picture to remain visible regardless of filtering, set it to “Don’t move or size with cells.” This is a common trick for keeping logos visible.
Can I change the default for all future pictures without using VBA?
No, Excel doesn’t expose a global default for picture properties. You can create a workbook template with a picture already set to “Move and size,” then save it as a .xltx file. When you start from that template, any new pictures you insert will still use the default, so it’s not a complete solution. VBA is the only way to change the default permanently.
Does the IMAGE function replace the need for picture properties?
Yes, the IMAGE function (available in Microsoft 365) inserts a picture directly into a cell, and it always resizes with the cell. It’s a better choice for dynamic layouts, but it doesn’t support all image formats and requires an internet connection for some sources.
Why does my picture get distorted when I resize a column?
When you set a picture to “Move and size with cells,” it stretches to match the cell’s dimensions, which can distort the image if you change the aspect ratio. To avoid distortion, you can hold Shift while resizing the picture manually, or you can lock the aspect ratio in the Size & Properties pane (under Size, check “Lock aspect ratio”).
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