I would like to insert a dynamic image from the web into an Excel
spreadsheet - that is, when that image is updated on the web, it
should be updated in the spreadsheet, on the next open.  It seems
Excel copies the image from a specified web location into the
spreadsheet rather than pulling it down dynamically.  Is it possible
to do this?  How?

I've done it. For this to work you have to have Web Scripting
installed. This will allow you to edit the HTML that defines the cell
data, instead of filling in the cell data and having the HTML created
for you. Once you have followed the steps to install Web Scripting if
it's not installed (it might ask you for your original MS Excel CD to
install it, it did for me), just hit ALT-SHIFT-F11 or go to
Tools-->Macro-->Microsoft Script Editor and it will bring up the HTML
code for your sheet. If the code looks confusing don't worry, the next
part is VERY easy. Go to the top of the HTML file and start scanning
down for a <TD></TD>. The first line I found in a new document looked
like this:


"<td height=17 width=64 style='height:12.75pt;width:48pt'></td>"

then, inbetween the <TD> and </TD> insert "<IMG
SRC="http://www.blahblah.com/blah.gif>" making the new line look
something like this:

"<td height=17 width=64 style='height:12.75pt;width:48pt'><IMG
SRC="http://nyctmc.org/images/cams/govt_property/cctv14.jpg"</td>"

doing this I was able to make the image appear in the upper-left most
position of the spreadsheet, and from there you can move it anywhere
you want by dragging it. This image will refresh EVERY time you open
the file with about a 5-10 second delay depending on how fast your
connection is to the internet, etc.


Thank you for the opportunity to answer your question, if you require
more information, please clarify the question, or if you find this
answer satisfactory, please feel free to rate it. Thank you!

skermit-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by skermit-ga on 03 Jun 2002 14:50 PDT

BTW, by using the url in the example you'll get a live webcam of
people walking on the Brooklyn Bridge in your Excel file! Heh!

thanks for the detailed answer - it worked perfectly.