Thanks Peter. I was using a For Each loop to delete the photos for the
scrolling feature. I like your batch delete method better.

I did a brief experiment with the Shapes.AddPicture method and found it did
not behave the same. Initializing the photos had no affect, but this was only
a very brief experiment.

If I go the route of using Shapes.AddPicture then (apparently) I'll need to
add functionality that allows the user to specify the height/width ratio. In
my case, all the photos for a given survey will be the same size but the size
may change between surveys (i.e. cameras or camera settings may change). I
keep wondering if I'm missing something because it seems everyone should be
bitching about this problem: If you don't know the correct proportionality
for the photos, then they will be distorted if you specify incorrect values
for the width and height arguments. As you may have noticed in my code, I
currently insert the photos using Pictures.Insert and test for the height and
width and obtain the proportionality this way. I then change the size to suit.

Regards,
Greg

"Peter T" wrote:

Hi Greg,

I have some routines that add large numbers of pictures from file, resized
and placed to suit. Like you, I find the first time in a session of Excel I
add a picture is significantly slower than subsequently. Strangely, normally
(but not always) it's only slow for the first inserted picture assuming all
in the same folder, Unlike you I don't find resizing & placing is relevant
as regards time.

I don't find any reason to use an InitializePhotos routine such as yours.
The "extra" time is same if inserted & deleted to a dummy sheet or as & when
required. Instead I add direct to the active sheet. I don't disable
screenupdating but I ensure I scroll well away both from the active cell
(where the picture will first be inserted) and less importantly away from
where any will be moved after resizing. Then I scroll or "Goto" back.

If I know all the original picture H/W proportions are identical, instead of
insert pictures, sizing & placing, I use the AddPicture method and do all in
one go.

FWIW, to delete ALL pictures on a sheet simply:
..Pictures.Delete

Regards,
Peter T