Two insert modes

When you pick images from the library, you choose how they land on the page. 'Insert N references' adds Image reference macros, which are live links to the library. 'Insert N images' adds ordinary Confluence images, which are copies that stay put and still show in exports and for logged-out readers.

The references button is greyed out whenever your selection includes anything that is not a library image.

#Where you do it

Insert dialog with three library images ticked and footer buttons reading Clear selection, Insert 3 references and Insert 3 images — With three images ticked the footer offers both routes. Choose references to stay linked to the library, or images to put copies in the page.

Task	Where
Create a gallery by pasting a folder link	Editor → paste the folder's Capable asset URL
Style a gallery grid	Image folder gallery config panel → Style tab
Upload and insert images directly from the editor	Editor → type / → 'Image (Capable)' (Suite) or 'Images macro (Capable)' (standalone)

#Settings that affect this

Setting	Where	What it does
Catalogue view modes	Any library section	-

#Worth knowing

Confluence editor showing an Image Reference macro rendering a Capable banner, with a floating toolbar offering edit, Centered alignment, copy and delete — A reference lands on the page as its own macro, with alignment and edit controls, rather than as a plain image.

If you edit an image before inserting it, the edited file can be up to 3 MB.

Copy as macro

Another part of how this works.

Set an image as a page cover

Another part of how this works.

How it works

The rest.

How it actually behaves.