Blank document file size 7.5MB!

[Guest]

This document had no graphics, just text & tables and track changes. I
eventually accepted all changes, turned off TRK, 'Save As', and even deleted
the entire contents (even 'Undo' does not show any history). This document is
now completely empty and it is still 7.5 MB!

What else can I try?

 

[Guest]

One thing I've done in the past with weird things like this:
Copy all of the text and paste it into NotePad. Then copy it from there and
paste it in a new Word document.
It will mess up your tables, but it will also dump any other (hidden)
formatting.

 

[Beth Melton]

Here's a list of the standard causes of file bloat:

1) Fast Saves (Tools/Options/Save)
2) Preview Picture (File/Properties)
3) Versions (File/Versions) Make sure "Automatically save version on close"
is not turned on
4) Revisions: (Reviewing toolbar)
5) Embedded True Type fonts (Tools/Options/Save)

I'd check #2 first since the document had tables - especially if a table
containing dashed or dotted borders was on page one and included in the
Preview Picture. (This is a know issue that causes the bloat you describe
depending on the version of Word you are using.)

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Co-author of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

To add to the list:

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. 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 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

Here's a list of the standard causes of file bloat:

1) Fast Saves (Tools/Options/Save)
2) Preview Picture (File/Properties)
3) Versions (File/Versions) Make sure "Automatically save version on close"
is not turned on
4) Revisions: (Reviewing toolbar)
5) Embedded True Type fonts (Tools/Options/Save)

I'd check #2 first since the document had tables - especially if a table
containing dashed or dotted borders was on page one and included in the
Preview Picture. (This is a know issue that causes the bloat you describe
depending on the version of Word you are using.)

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Co-author of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the informative replies!

As it turns out, my document did have previous versions saved to it. After
deleting them though the File|Versions menu, my document went down to 240kb.

Thanks!

 

[DonD]

My PC is saving old file versions. Problem is there is nothing in the
File/Versions/Versions in Document window. It is blank and the auto save box
is not checked, yet there are old versions I can pull up from Windows
explorer (the index explorer, not the internet explorer).
Explorer/Properties/Pervious Versions lists out and lets me open old
versions. Is there another way to turn this feature off?

Thanks!