Word 2003 - unexpected file size jump

[AlasdairDSS]

Hello, I hope you can help me.
I am using MS Word 2003.

I am working on a new book which comes out next year. It is currently 92
thousand words, including the index, and usually the file size is 1526 kb.
(1.5 MB)

I am currently re-doing the index, using the "insert/reference/index "
feature.

There are no complicated images in the document, text only

But the document has now unexplainably jumped in size from 1.5 MB, first to
41 MB and then to 110 MB, and now takes several minutes to save, and
regularly freezes.

Is there a simple remedy?
thanks to anyone who can advise

Alasdair

 

[DeanH]

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, 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.

File Bloat Cure
Copying all but the last paragraph mark into a new document is a common cure
for common bloat.

Hope this helps
DeanH

 

[Alan]

Hello, I hope you can help me.
I am using MSWord2003.

I am working on a new book which comes out next year. It is currently  92
thousand words, including the index, and usually the file size is 1526 kb..
(1.5 MB)

I am currently re-doing the index, using the "insert/reference/index "
feature.

There are no complicated images in the document, text only

But the document has now unexplainably jumped in size from 1.5 MB, first to
41 MB and then to 110 MB, and now takes several minutes to save, and
regularly freezes.

Is there a simple remedy?
thanks to anyone who can advise

Alasdair

Hi,

I think your file is probably corrupt. Do you have a backup? If not,
you may need to recover the corrupt file. You can try a utility called
Advanced Word Repair to repair your Word document. It works rather
well for my corrupt Word documents. Its web address is http://www.datanumen..com/awr/
But it is not free, so you can have a try if there is no better
choice.

Alan