How To Import Data Into Excel From Images?

by Daniel Raymond · March 15, 2025

Imagine as an office worker you have a stack of paper invoices or a collection of employee’s data in the image form. Moreover, you have been given the task of extracting the data from the images and putting it in an editable Excel file. Yes, you are thinking right, it will become a stress and can put you in depression. It will take several hours or even days if you have plenty of images. It may also lead to errors.

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Don’t worry! If you are reading this blog post, you are lucky because we have found some ways from which you can import data into Excel from images within a short time without doing it manually. There are two main methods by which you can import data from images to Excel effortlessly.

Learn how to import data into Excel from images easily. Discover step-by-step methods to convert printed or handwritten data into spreadsheets.Are you excited? Let’s get to the solution because we know you’re curious to know the solution to your problem. So, without wasting any time, let’s convert your depression into happiness:

2 Methods to Import Data Into Excel from Images

There are two main methods we are going to discuss, which you can use to import the data from images and convert it into an editable Excel file. Let’s discuss it one by one:

Method 1: Import Directly from Excel File

The first method which you can use is to extract the data directly from MS Excel. You have two options to import the data, i.e., import directly from a picture saved on your PC, or import the data from taking a screenshot.

Let’s discuss a step-by-step process for a better demonstration:

Note: This method only works if you have a premium version of the Office 365 Office suite. If you do not have a premium subscription, you can move to method 2. However, if you have a premium version, this method will work best for you.

Step 1: Take Screenshot

In most of the cases, you have given the images containing the table and also a little bit of text or extra spaces in it. However, for better processing, you must neglect the text and blank space from the page and focus only on the table, which you want to import. In that case, you can take a screenshot by opening the image and pressing Windows+Shift+S to take a screenshot of the table only. It will save the image automatically into the PC clipboard. Moreover, please make sure that the image of the table is clear and not blurry.

Step 2: Open the Excel file and Import

The next step after you’ve taken the screenshot is to minimize the screenshot window and open the Excel file. After opening the Excel file, press Data>Pictures, and then you have two options, i.e. either you can import the data from pictures saved into your PC, or you can directly insert the screenshot you’ve taken from the clipboard.

For your better understanding, we are following the method of taking a screenshot. However, if you have an exact picture of the table without any unnecessary text and blank space, you can simply import the data from images. After this process, you simply click on the Picture From Clipboard option.

Step 3: Click Insert to Extract Data

After clicking the picture from the clipboard, you will see the processed screenshot on the right-side panel in the Excel file. Now, you just have to click the Insert button twice and let the magic happen.

In the above screenshot, you can see for yourself how perfectly the built-in ‘import feature’ has worked for you. This will not only ease your task but also help you manage your time effectively.

In case you don’t have a premium version of Excel, let’s discuss the second method now:

Method 2: Using an OCR Tool

As we’ve already mentioned, the above method will only work if you have the latest and premium version of Microsoft 365 Office Suite. That may be costly if you are not a regular user. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you import data into Excel from images even if you don’t have a premium Excel version. And that’s a free solution.

After thorough research, we have found one reliable and famous tool, which is an Image to Excel converter by imagetotext.info. This tool uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, which perfectly extracts the data from images without handling any errors.

Moreover, this tool is a freemium tool that will allow you to convert and import the data from up to 3 images per session into Excel file format. However, it also gives you the option to upload unlimited pictures, but you have to buy its premium plan to access the option.

So, without wasting any more time, let’s discuss the step-by-step guide on how you can use this tool to import the data into Excel by uploading the images.

Step 1: Prepare the Image File

If you want this tool to work best with 100% accuracy, before uploading the image into the tool, you have to ensure that:

The images you have are clear and not blurry.
The text inside the images is readable and has proper formatting.
The image file is supported with JPG, JPEG, or any other image format.

A well-structured image helps such an OCR tool to enhance the accuracy and ensure that you have the perfect and accurate data after it gets extracted.

Step 2: Upload the Image

After opening the tool, you will see a simple input box. You just need to upload the images that contain the data you want to import into Excel by clicking inside the box. You can also insert the images in different ways, i.e. drag-and-drop or simply paste the link of the image if it is available online.

After clicking the browse option, select up to 3 images and press open.

Step 3: Convert into Excel

Once you’ve uploaded the picture, you just hit the convert button and let the tool do the rest of the work.

After clicking the convert option, you can see the extracted Excel files displayed on your screen.

Step 4: Import into Excel File

The last step you have to do is to click on the download button on the required file.

However, you can download all the extracted files by clicking the download all button. That’s it! Now you have the clear and editable Excel file on your desktop. You can see how fast this tool has converted the pictures into editable Excel format within minutes, which may take hours to do so manually.

We are attaching a screenshot below of the result we got after downloading the Excel file from the tool:

You can see for yourself in the above screenshot, how perfectly the tool has imported the data into Excel from the images. From the result, we can say that the tool is reliable and works best.

Final Thoughts

Manually entering the data from a bunch of images into Excel is a hectic and time-consuming task for you if you are an office worker or a data entry operator. It may be prone to errors also due to pressure. However, there are some methods you can use to ease your stress. One method is to import directly from an Excel file, but it may be costly for you because it requires the premium version of Office 365 to avail of this feature.

However, another best and most effective method is to use a reliable image-to-excel converter tool like the one we’ve discussed above. With such a tool, you can import the data from images into Excel quickly and accurately. Using this tool will enhance efficiency and reduce human errors, making data entry easier for you.