Have you been trying to get data into Excel from another source like an image, and you must copy it manually? Does any other OCR tool copy the data in the wrong format and make your work harder? You probably wish there was a native feature within Excel that could recognize data in a picture or a screenshot.

With the Data from Picture feature in Excel, you can insert your data from a picture or screenshot into your spreadsheet.

Benefits of Using the Data From Picture Feature

You have heard of inserting an image into Excel, but now you can also turn an image into data.

The main benefits are:

  • This tool will put your information into the default format, so you won't have to deal with the data not copying correctly anymore.
  • Reduces manual effort by allowing you to automatically take the data from an image rather than entering it line by line.
  • It allows you to insert data from anywhere by simply taking a screenshot.

Creating Data From an Existing Picture

This feature will allow you to upload a saved image file and convert it into your worksheet as data. This can come in handy for many reasons; one example is if you only have paper copies and want to put data, such as tax returns, into Excel. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure the image is saved on the computer.
  2. Open Excel and select the Data tab.
  3. On the Get and Transform Data section, choose From Picture.
  4. Select Picture from File.
    Showing how to use the data from picture, picture from file feature in Excel
  5. Browse the image file's location on the computer and upload it to Excel.
  6. On the right side of the spreadsheet, a dialog box will appear and start analyzing the data. When done, it will show you a preview of the data and give you the options to Insert Data or Review.
    Showing popup to verify data from image in Excel
  7. Once everything looks good, hit Insert Data. Otherwise, review the data that Excel has captured.
  8. After insertion, all the data from your picture will be nicely formatted in your spreadsheet.
    Converted data from Image in Excel

Creating Data From a Screenshot

This method allows you to convert a screenshot into Excel data. Screenshots will let you get data from almost any source and put it into your workbook. Make sure you are allowed to use the data you are capturing. Here is how to convert your screenshot:

  1. Take your screenshot of the data and copy it to the computer's clipboard
  2. Open Excel and select the Data tab.
  3. Go to the Get and Transform Data section, and select From Picture.
  4. Select Picture From Clipboard.
    Showing how to use data from picture, picture from clipboard in Excel
  5. A dialog box will display on the right side of the spreadsheet as it analyzes the data. When completed, it will show you a preview of the data and give you the options to Insert Data or Review.
  6. Once everything looks good, hit Insert Data.
  7. All the data from your image will be nicely formatted in the spreadsheet.
Converted data from Clipboard in Excel

Tips for Reviewing and Correcting the Data

Once you have selected the image you want to convert to data, you will want to optimize it before inserting it into your spreadsheet.

  • For a downloaded picture or a screenshot, crop the photo only to include the data you want to insert.
  • Correct Formatting:
    An Image of a table with data
    Incorrect Formatting:
    Image of a report page with a table of data, Key Influences chart and a line graph
  • Ensure the data in the image is in focus, not at an angle or out of focus.
  • Before hitting the Insert Data button, select the Review button and review all the suggestions to make sure your data is converted correctly.

Once the data is in your Excel file, you can create a table, change the format, or use it however you desire.

Reduce Manual Effort by Importing Data With the Picture Tool

Cut back on copying line by line and undoing incorrect formatting when getting data from another source. Instead, easily insert data from anywhere by saving an image or screenshot. With this tool, you can be more productive than ever.