Using Excel in Office 2024 - I have added images into cells - they look fine - I save the file and reopen and I get #UNKNOWN!

Very same issue, none of the troubleshooting above is resolving it.

Dear Phil Lawley,

Thank you for your reply and feedback. I apologize for my late reply.

It looks like you are having the same problem with new documents. And it seems that you are using some macros or plugins?

I may need to confirm more information about your problem. Are you having the same problem with all your photos? Are they in the same format? If possible, could you find some images in a regular format to test? For example “JPG”, “PNG”. And please don't move the photo path or delete them.

If you are sure that the problem is with the image format or the image itself, please skip the subsequent troubleshooting steps and let me know.

In order to confirm whether the problem is caused by Excel itself, or macros and add-ins, you can try to disable all add-ins and macros, and then test whether the problem still occurs.

1. Disable add-ins, go to “File”, “Options”, “Add-ins”, “select COM add-ins below “Click GO to disable all COM add-ons.
2. Disable macros: Click “File” menu, then select “Options”. Click “Trust Center” on the left side. Click the “Trust Center Settings” button. In the Trust Center Settings dialog box, select “Macro Settings” on the left side. Select the “Disable all macros and don't notify me” option. Click the OK button to save the settings and close the dialog box. Restart.

Enable or disable macros in Microsoft 365 files - Microsoft Support

Our steps range from simple to complex. Afterwards you can perform an Office repair and see how it works.

Repair Office: In the Control Panel, select Programs and Features, find Microsoft Office and click Change or Repair. Feel free to choose one of them to repair.

If the problem still occurs in this case, try to perform a “clean boot”, which eliminates the interference of third-party programs and services.

-Clean startup, try to use clean startup, and check whether the problem still appears after eliminating the influence of third-party soft armor and services. If the problem is solved, you can follow the steps of clean startup to find the problematic software.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows - Microsoft Support

Disclaimer: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.

These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step so that it will help you get you back on track.

If the problem still occurs in Excel. Determine that the problem is with Excel itself. Would you like to perform an uninstall and reinstall?

Uninstall Office from a PC - Microsoft Support Download, install, or reinstall Microsoft 365, Office 2024, or Office 2021 on a PC or Mac - Microsoft Support

If any of these steps resolved your problem or identified the cause. Please skip the subsequent steps.

I look forward to your good news. Let me know if you run into any problems or by any progress.

Best Wishes

Pyke.D | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hi

Thanks

I am using place in cell from the ribbon

I am using a xlsm file but I have tried xlsx and that does not work either

It is all images that this occers and they are on the PC

I have tried a new document but that is the same - they look fine wjhen I put them in the cell and when I save the file - the error is when I open te file again

i have checked the setting and it is All

I am using office 24 but the original file was in office 21 - but the same happens with new 24 files

At work I have 365 - that opens the file fine

I need the images in the cells and not over them as I am using XLOOKUP to use the images

Hope you can help

Thanks

Phil

Dear Phil Lawley,

I understand that after you insert a picture in Excel, you re-expect Excel and it changes to “#UNKNOWN”. I understand that this issue is causing you trouble and I will try to help you.

Can you tell me which function in Insert Picture you are using? “Place in Cell” or ‘Place over Cell’?

If you use the “Place in Cell” function, could you try “Place over Cell”? Then resize it manually.

Also check if the file format is “.xls” after you save it? If yes, please save the format as “.xlsx”. See if that alleviates the problem.

Do you get the same thing when saving all images? Or does the problem only occur with specific images?

If you create a new blank document, do you still have the same problem?

Go to Excel's “File”, “Options”, “Advanced”, and in the display settings, check “All “.

This issue can also be caused by compatibility. You can refer to the following article for more information:

#unknown! displayed in excel where an inserted picture should be located | Microsoft Community Hub

Looking forward to your reply.

Best Wishes

Pyke.D | Microsoft Community Support Specialist