File size gets real big in MS Word 2003

[Anni]

I have a problem: when I save a doc-file with my MS Word 2003, the file size
gets huge. A couple of pages (text only) may be 3000kb. If I open the same
doc-file somewhere else, for example at school, and save it there, the
file-size gets normal (small) again.

What is the problem with my Word? Is there anything but re-installation to
be done?

 

[Jay Freedman]

I have a problem: when I save a doc-file with my MS Word 2003, the file size
gets huge. A couple of pages (text only) may be 3000kb. If I open the same
doc-file somewhere else, for example at school, and save it there, the
file-size gets normal (small) again.

What is the problem with my Word? Is there anything but re-installation to
be done?

Don't bother reinstalling, as it won't help.

If this happens only with one document (or a few), it's corrupt. See
http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/CorruptDoc.htm for suggestions
that will probably help.

If it happens with all documents, the problem is in Normal.dot. Look
in Tools > Options > File Locations to find the path to your User
Templates folder. In Windows Explorer, you need to go to Tools >
Folder Options > View and turn on display of hidden folders to be able
to see the folder. Go to that folder and rename Normal.dot as
Normal.old, then restart Word to build a new clean Normal.dot.

 

[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. 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 when you press Alt+F9, 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.

 

[Anni]

Thank you for your help! My problem was the version-thing. Some old versions
were saved automatically with my new docs.