Replace image lets you update a Google Docs illustration without deliberately deleting its place in the document first. After replacement, inspect layout and meaning rather than assuming every property still suits the new picture.
Replace the selected picture
- Right-click the image you intend to update.
- Choose Replace image.
- Select the source of the new picture.
- Choose the correct file and inspect the inserted result.
Check the source version carefully. A similarly named screenshot may show a different interface, account, or date. Do not rely only on the thumbnail or filename to establish that it is the approved replacement.
Review size, framing, and text flow
A new image can have a different aspect ratio or contain important information near an edge. Inspect any crop, displayed dimensions, rotation, wrapping, and fixed-position behavior after replacement.
Read nearby text and captions. A paragraph describing the old screenshot can become inaccurate even when the new picture fits neatly in the same space.
Update accessibility and delivery checks
Review the alternative text. It should describe the new image’s purpose and useful information, not a previous illustration. Automatically supplied descriptions also need a factual check.
Inspect the exported PDF or Word document at normal scale and verify legibility. A higher-resolution replacement may improve clarity, while a small preview image can become blurry when displayed at the old size. Keep the previous approved source available until the replacement is verified, and avoid changing unrelated formatting simply to compensate for a picture that was selected incorrectly.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.