Why are my files so big?

[Nick Gower-Jones]

I've been creating a new document, based on an old one. I deleted all the
content from the original file and saved it under a new name. The new saved
file is over 6mb in size, even though it contains no content at all.

Just to check, I then copied and pasted the content from the old file into a
new blank document, and saved it - it came out at 2mb in size. The old
document is 12mb in size!

I've made sure that versioning is switched off, but can't figure out why the
files are so huge. It's only a 3 page document! Can anyone help out there?

Thanks in advance

 

[Sandy L]

I've been creating a new document, based on an old one. I deleted all the
content from the original file and saved it under a new name. The new saved
file is over 6mb in size, even though it contains no content at all.

Just to check, I then copied and pasted the content from the old file into a
new blank document, and saved it - it came out at 2mb in size. The old
document is 12mb in size!

I've made sure that versioning is switched off, but can't figure out why the
files are so huge. It's only a 3 page document! Can anyone help out there?

Thanks in advance

I had a problem like that a while back and didn't figure out the problem.
In my case, I had a very large file and was doing global replaces to change
space strings to tabs. Instead of getting smaller, the file got bigger each
time. I finally saved as a DOS text file, reopened in in Word, did some more
global replaces, resaved it as a DOS file and reopened in Word.

You could open the file with debug and see what is in it; that might explain
the mystery. Much as I despise Word, I must admit that WordPerfect did no
better with this problem.

 

[Jay Freedman]

I've been creating a new document, based on an old one. I deleted all
the content from the original file and saved it under a new name. The
new saved file is over 6mb in size, even though it contains no
content at all.

Just to check, I then copied and pasted the content from the old file
into a new blank document, and saved it - it came out at 2mb in size.
The old document is 12mb in size!

I've made sure that versioning is switched off, but can't figure out
why the files are so huge. It's only a 3 page document! Can anyone
help out there?

Thanks in advance

Hi Nick,

Unexplained huge file sizes are typically a sign that the binary part of the
file is damaged. There are several ways to try to fix it, none of them
guaranteed to work. See http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/CorruptDoc.htm
for procedures.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

There are a number of reasons for excessive file size, including:

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

 

[Nick Gower-Jones]

"Save as Web Page" seemed to work. Thanks!

Nick

There are a number of reasons for excessive file size, including:

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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