XL97: Can't Drag Graphics from Internet Explorer (166829)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 95
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows 95
Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

This article was previously published under Q166829

SYMPTOMS

If you drag a graphics file from a Web page in Microsoft Internet Explorer and drop it into a worksheet in Microsoft Excel 97, the graphics file does not appear in the worksheet. Instead, a new workbook containing random binary characters (possibly including the words "GIF87" or "GIF89") is created, or the text from the ALT value of the graphic may appear in a worksheet cell.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because Microsoft Excel 97 does not support dragging graphics files from Internet Explorer. Instead of displaying the graphics file, Microsoft Excel 97 attempts to open the graphics file as though it were a text file.

WORKAROUND

If you want a graphics file in Internet Explorer to appear in a worksheet in Microsoft Excel 97, copy the graphics file and paste it into Microsoft Excel 97, by doing the following:

In Internet Explorer, right-click the graphics file. On the shortcut menu, click Copy.
Start Microsoft Excel 97 and click the cell where you want to paste the image.
On the Edit menu, click Paste Special.
Select Bitmap.
Click OK.

The image will appear correctly.

STATUS

This behavior is by design in Microsoft Excel 97.

MORE INFORMATION

The problem described in this article will occur whenever you attempt to drag a .gif file or a .jpg file from Internet Explorer into Microsoft Excel

It may also occur if you attempt to drag graphics files in other formats.

Note that Microsoft Word 97, which is included in Microsoft Office 97, does support dragging graphics files from Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	5/13/2003
Keywords:	kbprb kbweb KB166829