Too large document size with inserted .PNG files

[karen110]

Hi, using Word 2003, I'm writing a book that includes many large .PNG photos,
and the size of the document was getting way too large.

The file size on disk of each photo is about 6 MB. After I bring them into
Word with Insert Picture from File, I reduce the size, but I found that the
file size on disk doesn't get reduced.

So now I'm resizing the photos in photo editing software before bringing
them into Word, and that seems to keep the document size down.

Question #1: Anything else I should know about this? The photos look okay
so far.

Now since I have to resize many photos, I started pasting the photos into
Word from my photo imaging software, instead of Insert/Picture/From File.

Question #2: Does pasting photos this way amount to the same thing, or is
there a reason why Inserting Picture from File is preferable?

Thanks,
Karen

 

[macropod]

Hi karen,

A 6mb PNG file suggests a fairly high pixel count in the image. The best approach for inserting images into Word files is usually to
first work out how large the picture needs to be in the document (eg 6*4in), then multiply each of those dimensions by 240-300
(depending on the quality required) and reduce the image to those pixel dimensions before inserting it into Word.

Taking the 6*4in image as an example, you'd reduce the original image to 1800*1200 pixels before pasting it into Word. Also, if any
cropping is required, do that in your imaging progra, rather than using Word's cropping tool. Word's cropping tool merely hides part
of the image (but keeps all of it in the file).

 

[CyberTaz]

Question #2: Does pasting photos this way amount to the same thing, or is
there a reason why Inserting Picture from File is preferable?

No, copy/paste is not the same. Copying relies on what the source
application puts on the clipboard, which can be a lower resolution "screen
version" of the image. Use the Insert method for anything that need be
considered for professional printed output - regardless of whether it will
be printed commercially or not.

You might also do well to consider Linking the images rather than Embedding
them in order to keep the Word file smaller & more manageable. Just make
sure to keep the images available when printing or update & break the links
once the editing/revision of the document is completed.

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

 

[Dalmatian Lover]

(Using MS Word 2007 on a platform of XP Professional.)

I use the INSERT command to embed a 72 dpi photo file into a Word *.docx."
The frame appears on the monitor, but NOT the image. The only time the
embedded photo shows on the monitor within the *.docx is on PRINT PREVIEW -
or - in a converted Adobe *.pdf file. (The photo files are either *.jpg or
*.tiff images created by Adobe Photoshop. Their file contents are generally
two-digit KBs.)

I've tried INSERT (no monitor view) as well as COPY the image from its file
and PASTE into the *.docx (no monitor view). Neither works in terms of
visualizing the embedded photo on the monitor. Help, please!!

 

[CyberTaz]

Check the following settings as quoted from previous replies:

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