XL97: Can't Drag Graphics from Internet Explorer

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows, version 3.x

SYMPTOMS

If you drag a graphics file from a Web page in Microsoft Internet Explorer, 3.x, 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.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because Microsoft Excel 97 does not support dragging graphics files from Internet Explorer, 3.x. Instead of displaying the graphics file, Microsoft Excel 97 attempts to open the graphics file as though it were a text file. The random binary characters you see are the graphics file in its raw state.

WORKAROUND

If you want a graphics file in Internet Explorer, 3.x, to appear in a worksheet in Microsoft Excel 97, copy the graphics file and paste it into Microsoft Excel 97, by doing the following:

1. In Internet Explorer, right-click the graphics file. On the context-sensitive menu, click Copy.

2. Start Microsoft Excel 97 and click the cell where you want to paste the image.

3. On the Edit menu, click Paste.

STATUS

This behavior is by design in Microsoft Excel 97. Explorer,

MORE INFORMATION

The problem described above will occur whenever you attempt to drag a .gif file, a .jpg file, or a .jpg file from Internet Explorer, 3.x, into Microsoft Excel 97. 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, 3.x.