Extra Baggage in Excel
 

I had a problem with an excel file which had become very slow to save and
close which I posted previously on this site. See:

http://www.microsoft.com/office/comm...d-23df00dd4956

After reading some responses to my question and other posts in the group I
decided to recreate the workbook. I changed all the equal signs to "p=" so
all the formulas would be text, then I moved them to a new file and changed
the "p=" back to "=" so I had formulas again. I then copied all the macros
and any misc. formatting. This has done a lot to solve the problem (though
I'm not sure yet exactly how much) but also had the added benefit of reducing
the file size from about 2.4 megs to 1.7 megs (about 30% reduction). This is
the size the file was about 4 months ago. It had grown slowly so I thought
it was from changes I had made. The file is a cost estimating spreadsheet
which I use as a master file. I update this master file as needed and I also
save it out to different job names frequently, but I don't add large amounts
of new data that would cause file size increases.

My question is: Does anyone know what could cause such buildup in file size
and how to avoid it in the future?

Hi
Have you tried doing a CTRL+End, and looking what your last cell is ??
Sometimes the spreadsheet is far bigger than it appears and filled with
"empty" cells.
If this is the case, clear all of the "empty" cells and save the workbook.
Do this to all Worksheets, it can make a huge difference.

Why does it happen ??............no idea, maybe you could post Microsoft
Technical and see if they can advise.

HTH
Michael

"Brandt" wrote:

I had a problem with an excel file which had become very slow to save and
close which I posted previously on this site. See:

http://www.microsoft.com/office/comm...d-23df00dd4956

After reading some responses to my question and other posts in the group I
decided to recreate the workbook. I changed all the equal signs to "p=" so
all the formulas would be text, then I moved them to a new file and changed
the "p=" back to "=" so I had formulas again. I then copied all the macros
and any misc. formatting. This has done a lot to solve the problem (though
I'm not sure yet exactly how much) but also had the added benefit of reducing
the file size from about 2.4 megs to 1.7 megs (about 30% reduction). This is
the size the file was about 4 months ago. It had grown slowly so I thought
it was from changes I had made. The file is a cost estimating spreadsheet
which I use as a master file. I update this master file as needed and I also
save it out to different job names frequently, but I don't add large amounts
of new data that would cause file size increases.

My question is: Does anyone know what could cause such buildup in file size
and how to avoid it in the future?

Michael,

Thanks for the reply. There are 12 worksheets and none of them has more
than 500 rows or more than 30 columns. The problem seems to be attached to
the file because manally copying the worksheets to a new workbook (not just a
"save as") has removed much of the problem and reduced the file size. Some
kind of residual data?????


"Michael" wrote:

Hi
Have you tried doing a CTRL+End, and looking what your last cell is ??
Sometimes the spreadsheet is far bigger than it appears and filled with
"empty" cells.
If this is the case, clear all of the "empty" cells and save the workbook.
Do this to all Worksheets, it can make a huge difference.

Why does it happen ??............no idea, maybe you could post Microsoft
Technical and see if they can advise.

HTH
Michael

"Brandt" wrote:

I had a problem with an excel file which had become very slow to save and
close which I posted previously on this site. See:

http://www.microsoft.com/office/comm...d-23df00dd4956

After reading some responses to my question and other posts in the group I
decided to recreate the workbook. I changed all the equal signs to "p=" so
all the formulas would be text, then I moved them to a new file and changed
the "p=" back to "=" so I had formulas again. I then copied all the macros
and any misc. formatting. This has done a lot to solve the problem (though
I'm not sure yet exactly how much) but also had the added benefit of reducing
the file size from about 2.4 megs to 1.7 megs (about 30% reduction). This is
the size the file was about 4 months ago. It had grown slowly so I thought
it was from changes I had made. The file is a cost estimating spreadsheet
which I use as a master file. I update this master file as needed and I also
save it out to different job names frequently, but I don't add large amounts
of new data that would cause file size increases.

My question is: Does anyone know what could cause such buildup in file size
and how to avoid it in the future?

I guess if you copied the data from each sheet only, and not the whole sheet
you would be doing the same as CTRL + End and clearing. I had a similar
problem with a Workbook of 5.5Mb reducing down to 987Kb.
Oh, the joys of Microsoft bloatware.

You might also have a look here if you are using an older version of Excel
than XP
These articles might point you in the right direction.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;162173
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/166092/EN-US/

Michael

"Brandt" wrote:

Michael,

Thanks for the reply. There are 12 worksheets and none of them has more
than 500 rows or more than 30 columns. The problem seems to be attached to
the file because manally copying the worksheets to a new workbook (not just a
"save as") has removed much of the problem and reduced the file size. Some
kind of residual data?????


"Michael" wrote:

Hi
Have you tried doing a CTRL+End, and looking what your last cell is ??
Sometimes the spreadsheet is far bigger than it appears and filled with
"empty" cells.
If this is the case, clear all of the "empty" cells and save the workbook.
Do this to all Worksheets, it can make a huge difference.

Why does it happen ??............no idea, maybe you could post Microsoft
Technical and see if they can advise.

HTH
Michael

"Brandt" wrote:

I had a problem with an excel file which had become very slow to save and
close which I posted previously on this site. See:

http://www.microsoft.com/office/comm...d-23df00dd4956

After reading some responses to my question and other posts in the group I
decided to recreate the workbook. I changed all the equal signs to "p=" so
all the formulas would be text, then I moved them to a new file and changed
the "p=" back to "=" so I had formulas again. I then copied all the macros
and any misc. formatting. This has done a lot to solve the problem (though
I'm not sure yet exactly how much) but also had the added benefit of reducing
the file size from about 2.4 megs to 1.7 megs (about 30% reduction). This is
the size the file was about 4 months ago. It had grown slowly so I thought
it was from changes I had made. The file is a cost estimating spreadsheet
which I use as a master file. I update this master file as needed and I also
save it out to different job names frequently, but I don't add large amounts
of new data that would cause file size increases.

My question is: Does anyone know what could cause such buildup in file size
and how to avoid it in the future?