Problem Opening a document on a PC from a Mac

[Emily Weber]

We are having a problem opening a word document on a PC. We make our
documents on a Mac. When we save them they are about 300K, but when we
open them on a PC they jump to 25MB. They are too large to put them
where we need them. How can we fix this problem?

More information about the document. We have a JPG in the Header/
Footer area, would this be the cause of the problem?

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Emily -

The "jpeg" may very well be the source of the problem - especially if
someone pasted it in. If they did it isn't a jpeg anymore. It got converted
to a PICT which Windows doesn't understand. As a result PC WORD is having to
create an EMF and storing *both* versions of the image (just in case the doc
has to go back to a Mac). Also, there are several variations on jpeg format
which could be an influence.

Always use Insert> Picture> From File... To insert images (or the
appropriate command for the object involved).

There are a number of other factors that could be involved, such a Tracked
Changes, Versions, extensive direct formatting (rather than using Styles),
nested tables & plenty more. But my bet is that the jpeg was pasted

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Emily Weber]

Actually I know it was inserted as a picture, because we insert it in
the header/footer are, so that it cannot be changed once we send it.
Only the text box on top can be changed. Is there any other reason it
could be doing this?

 

[CyberTaz]

Well, not to be a niggler, but just because it's in the Header doesn't mean
it wasns't pasted there

Like I suggested, there are any number of reasons why a doc might balloon in
size, but without more information about the file content, structure, and
how it's been handled it would be sheer speculation to try and "pick one".
Which version of PC Word might also make a difference.

Most commonly - in cross-platform situations - it is the graphic content if
the change was almost immediate. If the increase has happened over time on
the PC here is a partial list of probable causes:

1. Fast Saves: Disable this at on the Save tab of Tools | Options.


2. Preview Picture: Clear the check box on the Summary tab of File |
Properties.


3. Versions (File | Versions): Make sure "Automatically save version on
close" is not turned on.


4. Revisions (Tools | Track Changes):
Highlight Changes: Make sure "Highlight changes on screen" is turned on
(or that "Final Showing Markup" is displayed).
Accept/Reject Changes: If "Accept All" or "Reject All" is available then
revisions are present; accept or reject all changes, then turn Track Changes
off.


5. Keep track of formatting (Tools | Options | Edit). This is reportedly a
major cause of file bloat in Word 2002 and above.


6. Embedded True Type fonts (Tools | Options | Save); embedding fonts should
be avoided wherever possible.


7. Embedded linguistic data (Tools | Options | Save).


8. Embedded graphics: When feasible, it is preferable to link the graphics.
That is, when you insert the graphic, click the arrow beside Insert in the
Picture dialog and choose Link to File rather than Insert or Insert and
Link.


9. Embedded objects: These are even worse than ordinary graphics saved with
the document. If you see an { EMBED } code, the graphic is an OLE object.
Unless you need to be able to edit the object in place, unlink it using
Ctrl+Shift+F9.


10. File format: Make sure you are saving as a Word document; in some cases
..rtf (Rich Text Format) files are significantly larger than .doc files.


11. Document corruption: See
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/AppErrors/CorruptDoc.htm.

My first step would be to create a new doc on a Mac, insert the image as
indicated in my previous post & see what happens on the Dark Side.