OmniDocExcel pictures embedded in cells or floating? What's the difference between the two methods?
It clearly explains the difference between embedded pictures in cells and floating pictures in Excel, explains why floating pictures are easily misplaced after translation, and provides pre- and post-translation inspection steps. It is suitable for readers who are preparing to use OmniDoc to translate tables with pictures.
Key points of this article
- Pictures that need to move with the data rows should follow the cells instead of floating.
- The floating image records the page position. When the text becomes longer and the line height changes, it will not automatically move down.
- The translation only processes text and will not rearrange the positions of pictures for you. You must check each picture after translation.
- Bilingual comparison usually results in more cell text. You can first confirm the layout with only the translation before making a decision.
When making product lists, course schedules or experiment records in Excel, many people will insert pictures into the table. The pictures are arranged neatly, but after translation, they go to other lines, or are placed on top of the text. Most of these problems arise from the way the picture is placed: whether it is embedded in the cell or floating above the table.
This article is written for people who need to process tables with pictures, especially readers who plan to use OmniDoc to translate Excel files but are worried about misaligned pictures. Let’s first explain the difference between the two placement methods clearly, then explain why floating images are more likely to go astray during translation, and finally give a check method before and after translation.
After reading it, you should be able to judge which way to place the form in your hand, and where to look after the translation is completed.
Should the picture be placed in a cell or floated? One sentence conclusion
One sentence conclusion: If the pictures need to be moved and sorted together with the data rows, let the pictures follow the cells; if it is just a temporary schematic diagram that does not correspond to specific data, just float it, but the position must be checked one by one after translation.
| your situation | Recommended practices | reason |
|---|---|---|
| Each row corresponds to a product, a person or a record | The picture follows the cell and is locked in the corresponding row | When sorting or filtering, pictures move with you without being pretentious. |
| The picture is a cover or illustration and does not correspond to specific data. | float in empty space | Free placement without affecting row height and column width |
| The table needs to be translated and the text will become longer | Prioritize the pictures to follow the cells and check them one by one after translation. | As the text becomes longer, the row height will change, and the pictures following the cells will adjust accordingly. |
| The image needs to be referenced or copied together with the cell content | Use in-cell pictures supported by newer versions of Excel | The picture becomes part of the cell, making it less likely to be disconnected when copied. |
What are the differences between embedded cells and floating pictures?
The floating picture is an object independent of the cell grid. It covers the worksheet and its position is recorded according to page coordinates. You can drag it and place it anywhere, with a high degree of freedom, but it only "looks together" with the cell and has no real affiliation.
When you place a picture in a cell, Excel will record which cell it is anchored to. In the properties of the picture, you can usually set whether to change the position and size with the cell. This setting determines its performance after sorting, adjusting row height, inserting or deleting rows. The difference between the two placement methods mainly lies in whether the picture is associated with the cell.
Why does translation cause floating images to be misaligned?
Translation changes the length of the text. When Chinese is translated into English, there are often more words than the original text, cells automatically wrap, and the row height is stretched; when English is translated back to Chinese or the text becomes shorter, the row height shrinks. The floating image records a fixed position. If the line height changes, it will not move down or up. As a result, it will be pressed to the next line of text, or separated from the corresponding line.
It should be noted here that the translation tool deals with text. OmniDoc will retain tables, formulas, and pictures when translating Excel, but the relative position between pictures and text still depends on the placement in the original file. You need to read the layout yourself before and after translation.
Common misunderstandings
- The picture is placed "on top" of the table, which means it is placed in the cell. Visually stacked on top does not mean there is a connection, it is most likely just floating there.
- The translation will automatically move the image next to the corresponding text. The translation only replaces the text and is not responsible for rearranging the images.
- If the picture is small, it will not be misplaced. The misalignment has little to do with the size of the image. The key is where it is anchored and whether the line height changes after the text changes.
📊 Core comparison
| comparison item | Embed cells (follow cells) | floating image |
|---|---|---|
| After sorting and filtering | Move with the row | If not followed, it may be staggered with the data. |
| Changes in line height after translation | Usually follow the adjustment | It is possible to press words or leave blanks |
| Placement degree of freedom | Limited by cell boundaries | Can be put in any position |
| A suitable scene | A list and catalogue of one picture per line | Cover, schematic diagram, illustration |
| Post-translation key check | Whether the picture is still in the corresponding line | Does the picture obscure the text? |
# how to use it
The following process is suitable for translating Excel files with diagrams on omnidoc.top. The steps for desktop clients are the same.
- check the picture before translation. Click the picture one by one to see if it follows the cell or floats. For pictures that need to correspond to rows, follow the cells instead; covers and illustrations can remain floating and write down their approximate positions.
- upload files. upload .xlsx files in omnidoc.top and select bilingual control or translation only. If you need a desktop version, you can go to the download.omnidoc.top download client.
- first look at the results of the translation only. Bilingual control will result in more text in the cell and usually a greater change in row height. It is recommended to use translation only to confirm the layout before deciding whether bilingualism is required.
- check three places after download. check whether the line height is stretched out, see if the picture suppresses the text, and see if the picture is still on the corresponding line.
- check the key content. Machine translation may make errors, and numbers, models and units should be checked item by item against the original table.
- if there is any dislocation, go back to the original file to adjust. it is easier to change the picture to follow the cell or move it to the appropriate location in the original table, and then re-translate it, rather than manually correcting it one by one in the translated document.
# which method is suitable for you?
-make product list, personnel list, experiment record . There is a corresponding picture in each line: let the picture follow the cell and check it by line after translation. -do report cover, flow diagram , the image does not correspond to the data: keep floating, and check whether it obscures the text after translation. -the form has many words and needs to be bilingual : first confirm the layout with translation only, and then make the bilingual version after the layout is stable.
# frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. How to tell whether a picture is embedded in a cell or floating?
Click on the picture and look at its properties, you can usually see whether to follow the cell. You can also do a simple test: sort or adjust the height of a row to see if the picture follows.
2. After translation, the picture suppresses the text, can it be repaired directly?
Sure. First go back to the original file, change the picture to follow the cell or move to a blank area, and then re-translate. The translated documents can also be fine-tuned manually, but each picture should be checked one by one.
3. Is it the same thing to insert images in batch in Excel and to translate them?
No. The translation deals with text and is not responsible for inserting pictures. When batch illustrations are needed, you should first correspond the pictures to the lines, such as naming the pictures with numbers, and then placing them one by one and checking them.
4. Will the translator change the formula in the table?
OmniDoc preserves the formula and table structure when translating Excel. However, if the words quoted in the formula are translated, the results may need to be manually reviewed, especially those involving conditional judgment.
# Summary
Whether the picture is placed in the cell or floating determines its performance after sorting and translation. The picture corresponding to the data row makes it follow the cell, and the cover and diagram can float. No matter which method of placement, checking the attributes of the picture before translation and checking the position one by one after translation can reduce the rework of the Excel text + picture form.
