Problem using the insert tab and indirect function

Question

The Excel system will not allow me to use the Place over Cell". "Drop down from pictures does have both "Place in Cell" and "Place over Cell". But the "Place over Cell" does not work. It only gives me the choice to "Place in Cell", which I do not want.

I must be doing something wrong. Can you please explain to me how to use "Place over Cell"?

I click on Insert, then the drop down appears, I select "Place over Cell", then select,"This Device", then select my picture. I I'm using the "INDIRECT" function. The two sheets I am using is "Score Sheet" and "Suite" on "Score Sheet" column "D" has a drop down which to select either one of the 4-Suites. When a suite is selected a picture of the suite is input into column "C". I can only use this when I input the picture into the cell on the "Suit" sheet.

Then problems. When I save the sheet and reopen it the picture disappears and in its place is the words unknown.

Do I name the Picture in the "Suite" sheet to match with the drop down in the "Score Sheet" or, do I name the cell in the "Suite" sheet to match with the drop down in the "Score Sheet".?

Answer 1

"Place over Cells" and "Place in Cell" are two different picture types in Excel, and they behave differently with formulas and with features like INDIRECT.

From the description, there are two separate issues:

1. Why "Place over Cells" seems not to work
   When a picture is inserted over cells, it is a floating object, not stored in a specific cell. The command sequence for switching types is:
   • To convert a floating picture to an in-cell picture: select the picture, then on the Picture Format tab choose Place in Cell.
   • To convert an in-cell picture back to a floating picture: right‑click the picture in the cell and choose Picture in Cell > Place over Cells.
   If only "Place in Cell" is actually applied, that means the picture is being treated as an in-cell picture. In‑cell pictures are designed to sit inside the cell grid and move/resize with cells; floating pictures are independent of the grid. The context only documents switching between these two modes via the Picture Format tab and the right‑click menu, not via INDIRECT.
2. Why the picture disappears and shows "unknown" after reopening
   The behavior described (picture replaced by the word "unknown" after reopening) indicates that the picture is being referenced as an object (or via a link) that Excel can no longer resolve. The context does not document a supported way to drive picture selection with INDIRECT between sheets, so the workbook is likely relying on a construction that is not stable. The documented, supported options are:
   • Insert pictures directly into cells (or over cells) using Insert > Pictures and then, if needed, convert between types using:
     • Picture Format > Place in Cell (for floating → in‑cell), or
     • Right‑click picture in cell → Picture in Cell > Place over Cells (for in‑cell → floating).
   • Paste content as a picture using Home > Paste > Paste Special > Paste as Picture.
   The context does not provide a supported pattern for naming pictures and driving them with INDIRECT, so it cannot confirm whether naming the picture or naming the cell is correct for that scenario.

Given only the documented features:

• To ensure the picture stays visible and does not turn to "unknown", keep it as a normal inserted picture (in cell or over cells) rather than relying on INDIRECT to swap images.
• To change between in‑cell and over‑cells behavior, use the Picture Format tab or the right‑click Picture in Cell menu as described above.

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References:

• Insert Picture in-cell in Excel
• Create a picture from cells, a chart, or an object in Excel
• Insert an object in your Excel spreadsheet
• Insert pictures