#unknown! displayed in excel where an inserted picture should be located

[AButler1910]

A supplier is sending me an excel template which contains pictures in a cell

The picture can be viewed in web based outlook and web based excel but when I download the file the cell states #unknown!

I believe the supplier is using a personal 365 account and I am using 365 Apps for enterprise

I think they are adding the picture by completing the below (taken from MS site)

this is what I see when I open it up on web based outlook 

But this is what I see when I download an open in excel desktop  

Any help is greatly appreciated 

[#2]

@AButler1910 

It seems like the issue you're encountering is related to the way the pictures are inserted into the Excel file. When pictures are inserted into Excel, they can be inserted either as "linked" or "embedded" objects. If the pictures are inserted as linked objects and the links are not accessible or broken, Excel may display the "#unknown!" error.

Here are a few potential solutions you can try:

1. Ask the Supplier to Embed Pictures: If the pictures are currently inserted as linked objects, ask the supplier to embed the pictures into the Excel file instead. This will ensure that the pictures are stored within the Excel file itself and won't depend on external links.
2. Check File Compatibility: Ensure that the Excel file format is compatible between the supplier's personal 365 account and your enterprise 365 Apps account. If there are any compatibility issues, try saving the file in a different format (e.g., Excel 97-2003 workbook format or a more recent version of Excel format) and see if that resolves the problem.
3. Verify Picture Locations: If the pictures are linked objects, verify that the paths to the picture files are accessible from your computer. If the pictures are stored in a location that is not accessible (e.g., a network drive that you don't have access to), Excel won't be able to display the pictures.
4. Try Opening in Different Environments: Test opening the Excel file in different environments (e.g., different web browsers, different versions of Excel) to see if the issue persists across all environments or if it's specific to one environment.
5. Use Different Insertion Method: If possible, try using a different method to insert the pictures into the Excel file (e.g., copy and paste the pictures directly into Excel instead of inserting them as linked objects).
6. Check Excel Options: In Excel desktop, go to File > Options > Advanced, and under the "Display" section, make sure the "Show all" option is selected for "For objects, show". This ensures that all objects in the workbook are displayed.

By trying these solutions, you may be able to resolve the issue and properly view the pictures in the Excel file. The text was created with the help of AI.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.

Was the answer useful? Mark as best response and like it!

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[#3]

@NikolinoDE 

Spoke to the supplier and we tested their process of adding the picture- it looks to be an issue with placing the picture in cell which I don't have the option of doing with my version 

Once i got them to add the picture without placing in cell then we could see the picture 

Looks to be an issue with MS compatibility within types of excel 

[#4]

@NikolinoDE 

I tried option 6 and in options show pictures is selected, but somehow the photos still don't show

[#5]

I am also having the same issue when I try and share a Excel Doc that I have inserted the pictures into the cells. when opened by the person who I shared this to it shows as Unknown. It does not do this if the images are not within the cells and are loose?

[#6]

I'm having the same issue.  I created the original spreadsheet on an Excel 365 desktop version and placed the images by copying an image and then simply pasting it and clicking to place the picture in the cell.  When pasting the images, I was never asked if I wanted to Embed vs. Link so I presumed that the default behavior was to Embed as it has always been.  I cannot determine if there is any linkage, but it does not appear to be linked but rather embedded.  The document is stored in my OneDrive folder.

Now, trying to open the file in Excel as part of an MS Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 install, this is the program saying the pictures are #UNKNOWN! with an Unavailable data type.

I cannot find anything that says that this behavior was being changed in any way between these versions. 

It's just flat-out broken.

[#7]

@AlbertS895 

Let's address each user's concerns individually.

AButler1910 :

• Issue: The user tested the process with the supplier and discovered that placing the picture in a cell causes it to show as "#UNKNOWN!" when shared. However, if the picture is not placed within the cell, it displays correctly.
• Solution:
• Compatibility Issue: This appears to be a compatibility issue between different versions or configurations of Excel, particularly when it comes to how images are handled within cells.
• Temporary Workaround: Since placing the image outside of the cell works, you might suggest continuing to do so until Microsoft addresses this issue.
• Long-Term Solution: Both parties should consider updating to the latest version of Excel and checking if there are any recent updates or patches that resolve this issue. Also, submitting feedback to Microsoft support might help them recognize and address this compatibility issue in future updates.

bashobitewari :

• Issue: The user has already tried ensuring that the "Show all" option is selected under the "For objects, show" setting in Excel Options, but the pictures still do not display.
• Solution:
• Possible Cause: This might still be related to how Excel handles image embedding vs. linking, particularly if the images are somehow corrupted or not fully embedded.
• Actions to Try:
1. Reinsert the Images: Reinsert the images directly and make sure they are fully embedded by saving the file immediately after inserting.
2. Test in Another Environment: Try opening the file on another system or in Excel Web to see if the issue persists.
3. File Repair: Use Excel's built-in repair tool by going to File > Open, selecting the problematic file, and choosing "Open and Repair" from the dropdown next to the "Open" button.
4. Update Excel: Ensure that Excel is fully updated, as Microsoft often releases patches that fix bugs like this.

WeberELLC :

• Issue: The user created a spreadsheet in Excel 365, assumed that the images were embedded (since there was no option to choose), but finds that when opening the file in Excel LTSC Professional Plus 2021, the images display as "#UNKNOWN!".
• Solution:
• Understanding the Problem: This seems like an issue between Excel 365 and Excel LTSC Professional Plus 2021, where the latter might not fully support or recognize the method used to embed images in Excel 365.
• Possible Solutions:
1. Check for Compatibility: Ensure that both versions of Excel are updated. Microsoft may have released patches that improve compatibility between different versions.
2. Alternative Insertion Method: Instead of using the copy-paste method, try inserting the image using Insert > Pictures, and select "From this device." This might force Excel to embed the image differently.
3. File Save As: Try saving the file in a different format, such as .xlsb (Excel Binary Workbook) or .xlsx, and see if that resolves the issue.
4. Contact Microsoft Support: Since this issue might be related to differences between Excel versions, reaching out to Microsoft support for specific guidance could be helpful.

General for All Users: Given that this issue seems related to how different Excel versions handle image embedding, keeping both Excel and Windows fully updated is crucial. The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.

[#8]

@NikolinoDE I have tested this across Excel Versions and everyone should be updated to the latest version due to company policy and still does not work. The main issue I had was that I was using the images in the cells so that I could use formulas on them and when they are taken out they are no longer linked to cells for the formulas to work. I have changed this to text as a work around but feels like this is defiantly a excel bug 

[#9]

Unfortunately, I'm at my wits' end here too.
I can't think of an additional solution straight away.
The only thing I can recommend is to give Microsoft additional feedback.

Thank you for your patience.

[#10]

@NikolinoDE Sometimes when i open an excel sheet that I have worked on many times earlier, there are no images. Generally, if I re-start the laptop, and I reopen the file I can see the images, but every once in a way, there is no image and I get this in a box " The image part with relationship ID rld 1 was not found in the file" - where an inserted picture should be located. Please see below

This is MOST irritating as it happens quite frequently. This morning when I started my computer the file was fine. When I re-started my computer later, no images! Can ANYONE PLEASE help to fix this issue? Thanks in advance