Excel 365 - How to Insert a Picture as a cell background?

Why is there not an option to just have the picture sit behind the cells allowing the text to overlay the picture? Why am I forced to have the picture cover the data, be inside the cell or get a basic text box and lose the function of excel's grid?! When I use the transparency, the picture still is on top of the text and and covers the text. "Send backwards" button is useless and does nothing. How is it 2024 and this basic sort of task is out of reach of Microsoft?

Why is there not an option to just have the picture sit behind the cells allowing the text to overlay the picture? Why am I forced to have the picture cover the data, be inside the cell or get a basic text box and lose the function of excel's grid?! When I use the transparency, the picture still is on top of the text and and covers the text. "Send backwards" button is useless and does nothing. How is it 2024 and this basic sort of task is out of reach of Microsoft?

I agree, it's insane how there isn't a simple feature to replace the background with an image while allowing text and formulas to sit in front.

Step 4. Format Picture does not exist in the context menu.

Thank you for your response. I followed the instructions as close as possible several times, each time the picture is securely in the desired cell, but the picture replaces the text. When I delete the picture, the text is gone. Please see the steps below and the results I get.

I follow the instructions provided:

To insert a picture as a cell background in Excel 365, follow these steps:

1. Select the cell where you want to insert the picture. - OK
2. Click on the "Insert" tab in the ribbon. - OK
3. Click on the "Pictures" button and select the picture you want to insert. _here I get two choices: "Place in cell" or "Place over cells" - I have tried both.
4. Right-click on the picture and select "Format Picture" from the context menu. - OK
5. In the "Format Picture" pane, click on the "Fill" option. - OK
6. Under the "Fill" option, select "Picture or texture fill". - OK
7. Click on the "Insert from" button and select "File". - Am i supposed to insert the picture again?
8. Choose the picture you want to insert and click "Insert". -OK, Inserted again
9. Check the "Tile picture as texture" option to constrain the picture to the cell size. - OK
10. Adjust the transparency and brightness as desired. - Adjusting this makes no difference
11. Click "Close" to apply the changes. - There is no close button, just the X in the corner.

It should be much simpler than this.

Dear JGreg7

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft community. We are delighted to offer our assistance.

To insert a picture as a cell background in Excel 365, follow these steps:

1. Select the cell where you want to insert the picture.
2. Click on the "Insert" tab in the ribbon.
3. Click on the "Pictures" button and select the picture you want to insert.
4. Right-click on the picture and select "Format Picture" from the context menu.
5. In the "Format Picture" pane, click on the "Fill" option.
6. Under the "Fill" option, select "Picture or texture fill".
7. Click on the "Insert from" button and select "File".
8. Choose the picture you want to insert and click "Insert".
9. Check the "Tile picture as texture" option to constrain the picture to the cell size.
10. Adjust the transparency and brightness as desired.
11. Click "Close" to apply the changes.

The picture will now be inserted as the cell background and will not resize when copied to a new location. The text in the cell will still be visible.

Have a great day.

Sincerely,

Sean | Microsoft Community Moderator