Office 2016 Excel Issue: Unable to insert online Image or use cell refrance =image(source)

Copper Contributor

I am running Windows 11 with Office 2016 on a laptop
OS Build: 22621.2428

MSO (Version 2310 Build 16.0.16924.20054) 64-bit

 

What I'm trying to do:

I am tiring to format a cell to a colour or insert picture of that colour.
The colour is selected from a list of 90 colours that is picked at random.
Since I could not work out how to format the cell this way.

I tried to inset a picture of the colour from a web-sight.   

 

Issue I'm having


using the following formula in a cell
=image(link,"",0)
link = the URL I'm tiring to access

I get the following error:  #name?
fx Source argument error:  #value!

 

TitaniumASmith_0-1698652605895.png

 

I can't workout why I'm getting this error.

 

So I tried to in insert Online Picture

I get this

 

TitaniumASmith_2-1698653617531.png


I have noticed this also happens with Word well

Can anyone point me in the right direction to try and fix this?

2 Replies
It appears that you are encountering issues with inserting online pictures or using the `=IMAGE` function in Excel 2016. This could be related to the version of Office you are using and potential compatibility issues with web content.

Here are a few steps to try to resolve the issue:

1. **Check your Internet Connection:**
Ensure that your internet connection is stable and working. Sometimes, Excel may have trouble accessing online content if the connection is unstable.

2. **Use a Direct Image URL:**
Instead of using a web page URL, try using a direct image URL. This can be an image hosted online or on a public image-sharing service. Ensure that the URL directly links to the image file (ends in an image file extension like .jpg, .png, etc.).

3. **Test in a Different Browser:**
If you are trying to insert images from a website, try opening the website in your web browser and right-click on the image you want to use. Select "Copy image address" or "Copy image URL." Then, use this URL in Excel to insert the image.

4. **Office 2016 Compatibility:**
Office 2016 is somewhat outdated, and online features may not be as robust as in more recent versions of Office. Consider updating to a more recent version of Office if possible. Office 365 or Microsoft 365 subscription versions offer better compatibility and more features.

5. **Check Security Settings:**
Ensure that your security settings are not blocking the insertion of online images or content. In Excel, go to "File" > "Options" > "Trust Center" > "Trust Center Settings" > "Protected View" and make sure that it is not overly restrictive.

6. **Use a Different Function:**
If the `=IMAGE` function is not working, you can try using other methods to insert pictures in Excel. For example, you can use the "Insert" > "Pictures" feature and then select "Online Pictures" to search for and insert online images.

7. **Microsoft Support:**
If the issue persists, it may be worthwhile to contact Microsoft Support for assistance. They can provide specific guidance and troubleshooting steps based on your Office 2016 version.

Please note that some websites may have security measures that prevent direct linking to images, so it may not always be possible to use online images in Excel. In such cases, downloading the images and then inserting them from your local storage may be a viable workaround.
1. **Check your Internet Connection:**
Definitely connect as streaming stuff on the second screen.

2. **Use a Direct Image URL:**
I already am
URL: https://www.colorhexa.com/E0B0FF.png

3. **Test in a Different Browser:**
It's not a browser issue the link works fine in Chrome, Edge, an Firefox
Only happens in Office 2016 that the issue happens.

4. **Office 2016 Compatibility:**
I can't afford AUD $110 a year for something I only occasionally use
Both these features used to work previously

5. **Check Security Settings:**
As far as I can tell it is not. {as unable to send screenshot in reply)
I did uncheck the three checked options under Protected View
* Enable Protected view for files from the net
* Enable Protected view for files located in unsafe locations
* Enable Protected view for Outlook attachments
To no effect still get the same issue
The only other options are (Bother are unchecked)
* Security settings for Text files
* Security setting for Database files

6. **Use a Different Function:**
You might want to re-read my post & see 2nd image when I try to insert a picture and select online
This issue also happens in MS Word when trying to insert and image/picture from online

7. **Microsoft Support:**
9 days and counting with no reply

8 *** Final comment ***
I've tried a few different sights, plus the sight I'm currently using is designed for this purpose.
I 100% trying to avoid that as downloading NINETY images and embedding them into the spreadsheet is too time-consuming and will create too large of a file.
Locally stored files will not work as the spreadsheet runs on more than one device.