Get an Image from a Cell in Google Sheets
Keep each source URL in its own cell, point IMAGE at that cell, and preserve the URL beside the rendered image. The verified SheetsX demo builds four fictional product previews and checks every formula and source reference.
Reviewed by the SheetsX team
Uses the URL stored in B2 and fits the image inside the formula cell by default.
Returns the underlying URL without trying to parse the IMAGE formula.
Four fictional products, four IMAGE formulas, and four matching source URLs were checked.
How do you get an image from a cell in Google Sheets?
If B2 contains a direct image URL, enter =IMAGE(B2) in another cell. Google Sheets renders the image inside that cell while B2 remains the readable source. To return the same source URL elsewhere, reference B2 directly, for example =B2. FORMULATEXT(C2) returns =IMAGE(B2), not the URL stored in B2, so a URL regex cannot recover the address from that formula text.
Watch SheetsX build and verify an image lookup table
The Agent writes four URL-driven IMAGE formulas, formats the table, diagnoses why FORMULATEXT cannot reveal a referenced URL, then verifies the working source references.
The recording uses fictional product names and placeholder images. It also demonstrates a useful correction: FORMULATEXT returns the formula as typed, so =IMAGE(B2) does not expose B2's URL for REGEXEXTRACT.
“Build an image lookup demo on Sheet9. Add four fictional products and direct image URLs in B2:B5. Enter =IMAGE(B2) in C2 and fill it down through C5. In D2 enter =B2 and fill it down through D5 to preserve the source URL. Format the header dark green with bold white text, use a pale green body, wrap the URL columns, size the rows and columns for image previews, verify all four IMAGE formulas and matching URLs, and confirm no cells outside Sheet9!A1:D5 changed. Reply in English.”
How to display an image from a cell in Google Sheets
Separate source URLs from image cells so formulas stay auditable and the original address remains available for filtering, export, or review.
- 1
Put a direct image URL in a source cell
Paste a complete http or https image URL into B2. The host must allow Google Sheets to retrieve the file, and SVG files are not supported by IMAGE.
- 2
Reference the URL with IMAGE
Enter =IMAGE(B2) in C2. Copy the formula down so each row points at the URL in the same row.
- 3
Preserve or retrieve the source URL
Keep the original URL column, or return it elsewhere with a direct reference such as =B2. Do not expect FORMULATEXT(C2) to resolve referenced cells.
- 4
Resize and verify
Increase row height and image-column width, then verify that every IMAGE formula points to the expected URL cell and every source reference matches.
IMAGE formulas and source-URL patterns
Use a referenced URL for maintainable tables, or an inline URL when the address must be embedded in the formula itself.
| Use case | Formula or setting | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Image from a URL cell | =IMAGE(B2) | The recommended table pattern: update B2 and the image in C2 updates with it. |
| Keep the source URL visible | =B2 | Returns the exact source address used by the adjacent IMAGE formula. |
| Inline image URL | =IMAGE("https://example.com/photo.png") | Embeds the URL in the formula. FORMULATEXT can see this address, but editing and auditing a separate URL column is usually easier. |
| Custom image size | =IMAGE(B2,4,90,160) | Uses mode 4 with a 90-pixel height and 160-pixel width; resize the cell to make room for the result. |
Ask SheetsX to build an auditable image table
Name the sheet, target range, source URL cells, formula column, and protected scope. Require a formula read-back so the result is verifiable rather than merely visual.
Install SheetsX- Open a new SheetsX Agent chat and name the exact destination sheet.
- Provide fictional product labels and direct image URLs.
- Specify =IMAGE(B2), the fill-down range, and the source-URL column.
- Ask for row heights and column widths that make the previews readable.
- Verify the four IMAGE formulas and source URLs before approving the result.
Google Sheets image-cell questions
How do I show an image from a URL stored in another cell?+
If B2 contains the image URL, enter =IMAGE(B2) in the destination cell. The URL can be a quoted string or a reference to a cell containing the appropriate text.
Can FORMULATEXT extract the URL from =IMAGE(B2)?+
No. FORMULATEXT returns exactly what appears in the formula bar, which is =IMAGE(B2). It does not replace B2 with the cell's value. Reference B2 directly when you need that source URL.
Why is my IMAGE formula not loading?+
Check that the address begins with http or https, points directly to a supported image, is not hosted at drive.google.com, and is accessible without a private sign-in. Google Sheets does not support SVG in IMAGE.
How do I control the size of an in-cell image?+
The default mode fits the image inside the cell. Use mode 2 to stretch, mode 3 for original size, or mode 4 with explicit height and width, such as =IMAGE(B2,4,90,160).
Can an image cell also contain text?+
No. Keep labels, source URLs, and image formulas in separate cells so each value remains readable and sortable.