How can you insert images into a spreadsheet and then hide them so that they aren't visible?

What I am trying to do is to create a list of the goods in my apartment for insurance purposes. I want to attach images (screenshots, receipts, photos) as evidence for the existence of each item and the cost of replacing it, but I want to hide those images so that they remain hidden until I specifically choose to view one of them. I would also prefer to embed the images in the spreadsheet rather than linking to external files in order to reduce the risk of images going astray.

1. Create a new sheet - Sheet2
2. Place your photos in Sheet2
3. Right-click on Sheet2 tab and then left-click on 'Hide' in the popup menu and it will be hidden.
4. To see the hidden sheet again right-click on Sheet1 and then left-click on 'Unhide' and select Sheet2 to unhide.
5. You can hide/unhide more than one sheet.

To be more secure you can also hide photos behind photos in Sheet2. To do this: -
6. Insert the photo you want to hide then right-click on it and select 'Send to back'
7. Insert another photo that you don't mind others seeing then right-click on it and select 'Send to front'
8. Make sure that this second photo is larger than the photo to be hidden and drag the photo over the one to be hidden.
9. To see the 'real' photo simply drag the top photo off the photo behind.

Thanks for the explanation.

It does seem very complicated to manage. Clearly Excel is not the software I should be using for this. If what I want is to have a very simple database with the name of each item and its replacement value beside it, and possible multiple documents (screenshots, invoices, photos) linked to each item, and to be able to be able to add all the replacement values together to get a total, what software should I be using?

I don't think there is anything better than Excel for totalling a list of values.

Also your concern "I would also prefer to embed the images in the spreadsheet rather than linking to external files in order to reduce the risk of images going astray." is worrying too much unless you are an anxious person.

If you are a disciplined person then I suggest using links and all you have to do to "stop images going astray" is to ensure all photos are in a single dedicated folder and do not ever delete it, rename it (or the photos it contains), or move it or else the links won't work anymore. To help you to adhere to this rule you could name the folder with a warning in the folder name. e.g. "Insurance photos - Do NOT Delete".

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply.

The worry about files going astray is based on music and video projects that became unviable as files ended up going in different directions.

I found a solution to my problem though. What I have started doing is unchecking the "lock aspect ratio" box for each image. Then I drag the bottom right corner of the image up and left until it fits in the cell.

Your solution does not fulfill your initial requirement that the photos need to be hidden so it seems you have changed your needs. As long as you accept this does not hide your photos then okay and good luck.

You can mark this thread as 'Solved' via the Thread Tools header at the top.

There's been a misunderstanding. I just meant that I wanted the photos hidden from view so that they didn't sprawl all over the spreadsheet and make it unreadable and unusable.

There was no misunderstanding on my part. "hidden from view" means "hidden". Full stop. I wish you hadn't used the word "hidden". Even the thread title uses the word "hide". It wasted both our time. Please consider your words more carefully in future and you will get a better quality of help in return. My replies would have been more helpful.

Best wishes.

Now you're being petty and ridiculous.