You can insert most types of image files into a Visio diagram. They appear as normal pictures but don’t have some features that Visio shapes have, like connection points (although you can still connect them to other shapes by using a connector).
Warning: At this time, there is an image-related issue occurring in the Visio desktop app for Visio Plan 2, Visio 2021, and Visio 2019. Inserting certain enhanced metafiles or charts could cause Visio to stop running abruptly. Opening a Visio file with certain enhanced metafiles or charts could also cause Visio to stop running abruptly. The issue started after February 2022 update. The fix is expected to be in place in the March 2022 update. In the meantime, as a workaround, you can go to File > Options > Advanced and turn on Disable Enhanced Metafile optimizations.
Insert an illustration
Visio Plan 2 supports premium illustrations—a library of stock photos and cutout people, icons, and stickers—that are also available in other Office apps.
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On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, select Icons or select Pictures > Stock Images.
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Select one or more items from Stock Images, Cutout People, Icons, or Stickers.
Tip: Use the Search box at the top of any collection to find relevant images. Or select a subject-area tag below the Search box to see related images.
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Select Insert.
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After the image is inserted on the page, select it and drag it to the position you want.
Insert a picture
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On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, select Pictures > Pictures or Online Pictures.
When using pictures or clip art from Bing, you're responsible for respecting copyright, and the license filter in Bing can help you choose which images to use.
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Locate the picture you want to insert, click the picture file, and then click Open (if the picture is on your PC) or Insert (if the picture is online).
Some files that you import into Visio drawings as graphic images appear as metafiles. However, bitmap files, such as .bmp, .jpg, .pcx, and so on, remain bitmaps in the Visio drawing.
You can select an image from our premium library, find and insert a picture from your local device, or select a picture from the web. For example, you can add an official company logo in a local folder to a network diagram, or add a cutout person with a transparent background for a personal touch. A variety of file formats are supported. Each picture can be up to 6 MB in size.
Add a stock image or sticker
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Open the diagram for editing.
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On the Insert tab of the ribbon, select Stock Images.
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Select one or more items from Stock Images, Cutout People, or Stickers.
Tip: Use the Search box at the top of any collection to find relevant images. Or select a subject-area tag below the Search box to see related images.
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Select Insert.
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After the image is inserted on the page, select it and drag it to the position you want.
Add a picture from your device
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Open the diagram for editing.
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On the ribbon, select Insert > Pictures
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In the Insert File dialog box, click Choose File, locate a picture, and then select Open.
The picture is added to the diagram. You can drag it to another location.
Add a picture from the Web
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Open the diagram for editing.
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On the ribbon, select Insert > Online Pictures
When using pictures or clip art from Bing, you're responsible for respecting copyright, and the license filter in Bing can help you choose which images to use.
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In the Bing search window, enter a search term to locate a picture, or click a category to browse.
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Select the picture you want, and then select Insert.
The picture is added to the diagram. You can drag it to another location.
Modify a picture
Once a picture is inserted, you can make necessary adjustments.
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Open the diagram for editing.
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Select the picture.
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Do one or more of the following:
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Move, resize, cut, copy, and paste the picture in the same way as a shape. For more information, see Select, copy, and move shapes in Visio for the web.
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To change the size, drag one of the selection handles that appear on the sides and corners. For more information, see Change the size, rotation, and order of a shape in Visio for the web.
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You can add a border to the picture. First, ensure the picture is selected. Then, on the Picture tab of the ribbon, choose the downward pointing arrow next to Shape Outline
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To rotate the picture, select Picture > Rotate
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To send the picture forward or backward, select the Picture tab and then select Forward or Backward
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To add alternative text to the picture, select the picture and then select Picture > Alt Text
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On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, select Pictures or Online Pictures.
When using pictures or clip art from Bing, you're responsible for respecting copyright, and the license filter in Bing can help you choose which images to use.
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Locate the picture you want to insert, click the picture file, and then click Open (if the picture is on your PC) or Insert (if the picture is online).
Some files that you import into Visio drawings as graphic images appear as metafiles. However, bitmap files, such as .bmp, .jpg, .pcx, and so on, remain bitmaps in the Visio drawing.
