Excel file issue

Hello IT HELPDESK

Thank you for your question and welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum

Regarding your inquiry, this error in your Excel sheet occurs because the images were inserted as linked pictures (rather than embedded), meaning Excel references external image files on your computer or network. When those files are moved, renamed, or deleted—or if the file paths change (common after copying the workbook)—the links break, showing the red X placeholder with that message.

Since your screenshot shows only two broken images (one in row 1 and one in row 2), the simplest fix is to delete them and re-insert the images from their current locations. This avoids complex path editing. Here's how:

Step 1: Delete the Broken Images

1. Click directly on the error placeholder (the box with the red X) to select it. You'll see small handles around the edges.
2. Press the Delete key on your keyboard (or right-click and choose Cut).
3. Repeat for the second broken image.

Step 2: Re-Insert the Images

1. Go to the Insert tab in the Excel ribbon.
2. Click Pictures > This Device (or Place in Cell if you want them anchored to specific cells like A1 or A2).
3. Browse to and select the image file(s) from their current location.
4. In the Insert Pictures dialog:
   • If you want to keep them linked (smaller file size, but risk of breaking again), check the box for Link to file.
     • If you want them embedded (safer for sharing, but larger file size), leave it unchecked.
     1. Click Insert. Resize and position the images as needed by dragging the handles.

This should restore the images immediately. Save your workbook afterward (File > Save As, and consider saving as .xlsx if it's not already).

If You Have Many Images or Prefer to Update Paths Without Re-Inserting

If this workbook has dozens of linked images, re-inserting each one manually is tedious. Instead:

• Locate your original image files and move them back to their exact original folders (Excel stores absolute paths like C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Images\wreath.jpg).
• Or, use Excel's Find & Replace to bulk-update path portions:
  1. Press Ctrl + H to open the Find & Replace dialog.
  2. In Find what, enter part of the old path (e.g., C:\OldFolder if you know it).
  3. In Replace with, enter the new path (e.g., C:\NewFolder).
  4. Click Replace All. This scans and updates all linked image paths in seconds.
  Note: To discover the exact old paths (if unknown), you'd need to unzip the .xlsx file like a ZIP archive, edit XML files in xl\drawings\_rels (e.g., change <Relationship Target="file:///oldpath.jpg" ... /> to the new path), and re-zip it. This is advanced, search for "edit Excel XML for linked pictures" if needed.

Additionally:

• Embed images (don't link) for workbooks you'll share or move around.
• Store images in the same folder as the Excel file for easier portability.

I hope this solves the problem! If you have any further questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. I will be happy to help you.

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