How to upload an image to google images

Adding images to your document can make it more visually appealing. Google Docs uses Google Search to find and provide images for you to choose from, so it's likely you'll find one that matches your needs. If you have a picture of your own that you want to use, you can upload an image.

In this lesson, you'll learn how to upload, search for, and insert images. You'll also learn how to edit the size and position of an image.

Watch the video below to learn more about inserting images.

To upload an image:

1. Place the insertion point in the document where you want to insert the image.
2. Click Insert > Image > Upload from computer.
   
3. Select the image you'd like to use and then click Open.

Searching for images

When you search for an image in Google Docs, it's important to know that almost all of the images Google finds will belong to someone else. Google tries to filter the results to only show free Creative Commons images, but it is important to go to the source of an image to check the copyright license. For more information on how to use images found on the Internet, read our lesson on Copyright and Fair Use.

To search for an image:

1. Place the insertion point in the document where you want to insert the image.
2. Click Insert > Image > Search the web.
   
3. A search pane will appear on the right side of the window. Type the desired search term, then press Enter.
   
4. Review the search results. Select the desired image, then click Insert.
   
5. The image will appear in the document.

To delete an image, select it and press the Backspace or Delete key on your keyboard.

Other options for inserting images

Google Docs offers several additional options for inserting images. If you have the URL of an image or collection of images stored in online albums or in your Google Drive, you can easily access and insert these pictures as well. Always remember to check the copyright license of an image before placing it in your document.

• By URL: This option is useful if you have the URL of a particular image. When the URL is entered correctly, a preview of the image will appear. Click Select to insert the image into your document.
  
• Your photos: Selecting Photos gives you access to your Google account profile images. If you use Google Photos to organize your photos, any albums you have created there will also be visible in the dialog box. Click an album to open it and select an image.
  
• Google Drive: If you have images stored in your Google Drive account, clicking Google Drive will give you access to these images. You have the option of sorting pictures to show all of the images in your Google Drive, only those shared with you, or only your most recently uploaded images.
  

Editing images

Sometimes when you insert an image or a picture from a file, you may find that you will need to change the position of the image or resize it to make it look well placed in your document.

To edit the position of an image:

You may notice that it is difficult to change the position of the image to another location in the document. This is because of the text wrapping settings on the image. You'll need to change the text wrapping setting if you want to move the image freely, or if you just want the text to wrap around the image in a more natural way. The positioning options are:

Image Search is the ability to search on a term and find images related to what you typed. Most search engines offer it, and it's great. But what if you have an image and want to know its origin? Or find similar photos? That's a reverse image search.

Google's reverse image search is a breeze on a desktop computer. Go to images.google.com(Opens in a new window), click the camera icon, and either paste in the image link (URL) for an image you've seen online, upload an image from your hard drive, or drag an image from another window.

Like What You're Reading?

Sign up for Tips & Tricks newsletter for expert advice to get the most out of your technology.

Email

This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.

Thanks for signing up!

Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!

About Eric Griffith

Features Editor

I've been writing about computers, the internet, and technology professionally for 30 years, more than half of that time with PCMag. I run several special projects including the Readers' Choice and Business Choice surveys, and yearly coverage of the Fastest ISPs and Best Gaming ISPs. I work from my home, and did it long before pandemics made it cool.

How do you upload a picture to Google images for free?

How do you get your picture on Google Images?

How do I upload a picture to Google search engine from my phone?