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nimrod1's avatar
nimrod1
Copper Contributor
Sep 18, 2025

Suggestion: Add =IMAGE() function to Excel 2016 & 2019

Hi Microsoft Team,

I’m an Excel 2016 user and really appreciate the product. However, I’ve noticed that the =IMAGE() function is available only in Microsoft 365 and the web version.

Many of us who are using perpetual versions (Excel 2016 / 2019) would love to see this function back-ported. It’s a small but powerful feature that makes dashboards, catalogs, and reports much more useful.

Not everyone can move to 365, but we still look up to Excel for improvements. Adding =IMAGE() to 2016 and 2019 via update would make these versions more practical and user-friendly.

Please consider including this in a future update.
Thanks for listening and for continuing to improve Excel!

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excel
Formulas and Functions
User Adoption

1 Reply

  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor
    Sep 21, 2025

    A couple of things to keep in mind about your request for =IMAGE() in Excel 2016 / 2019:

    • Perpetual versions (2016/2019) are in fixed support mode. That means they only get security updates, not new feature updates. Microsoft typically reserves new functions (like =IMAGE(), =UNIQUE(), =FILTER(), etc.) for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
    • The reasoning is partly technical (they’re maintaining different codebases) and partly strategic (feature innovation is the main incentive to move people to 365).
    • So realistically, Microsoft will not back-port =IMAGE() (or any new dynamic array functions) into 2016/2019.

     

    What you can do:

    If you need something similar in 2016/2019, you can approximate =IMAGE() by:

    Using VBA to insert pictures linked to cells (works but requires macros).

    Using linked pictures (Copy > Paste Special > Linked Picture) for dynamic dashboards.

    Moving certain solutions to Excel for Web (free with a Microsoft account) where =IMAGE() is supported.

     

    How you can send feedback or suggestions to Microsoft (Excel / Office)

    1. From within Excel (or most Office apps)
      • In Excel 2016 / 2019, go to File → Feedback (if available) or Help → Feedback.
      • Choose “I have a suggestion” (or similar wording), describe your suggestion (i.e. adding =IMAGE() to 2016/2019), and submit.
    2. Use Microsoft’s Feedback Portal (web)

     

    My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

     Hope I was able to help you with this information.

     

     

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