There are two quicker ways to insert an image or graphic from the Internet or web page into a Word document, Excel sheet, PowerPoint slide or Outlook email.
The method most people are taught is to save an image to their computer then Insert | Picture | from this device to select that file. That method works but there are two smarter options available in any browser and any version of Microsoft Office.
Copy image
Far and away the easiest option is to right-click on the image showing on a web page and choose ‘Copy Image’.
That puts the picture or graphic into the clipboard.
Then switch to the Office app and paste (Ctrl + V).
That works for most images (JPG, PNG). Modern Windows and Office can understand the relatively new WebP image format.
Note: SVG graphics can NOT be directly copied from a web page (that’s coming soon with a browser update). Until then you’ll have to use ‘Copy image link’ instead.
Copy image link
Instead of copying the image, copy the web link. Right-click on the image and look for a ‘Copy image link’ option on the menu.
(The exact name of the option might vary, depending on the browser. Some web sites have code to block this feature.)
NOT the ‘Copy link’ choice, that’s the link for the whole web page
With the image link in the clipboard, switch to the Office app and go to Insert | Pictures | Insert Picture from | this device. Even though the option says ‘this device’ you can paste in a web link.
Click Insert and Office will grab the image from the web site and add it into the document.
Smarties might want to link an image instead of inserting Images in Office – Inserted or Linked? Or Three choices to add images to Office and emails
