I have an Excel file that has four worksheets with minimal data in it - but
is 4.6 MB! There are no pictures in it, and the formatting is minimal
('bold'ed certain letters, used 'century gothic' font); there are no formulae.
It is a file with constantly changing data, which means that I have to
update it by copying, pasting and then deleting data (as opposed to 'cut and
paste' as this messes up the formatting).

addendum to above:
my worksheet has no pivot tables, the last cell is NOT cell #500 (the last
cell is the 'correct' last cell)
(this is written as a clarification to earlier responses to a similar
question)
thanks all
steve

wow!
on further reading, this seems to be a common problem with Excel!
apparently irrespective of
1. 'end cell' problem
2. pivot table problem
3. picture(s) problem
the file size just gets bigger for no apparent reason!
i manually made a whole new file (copying every row and column into a new
work book and manually creating an indentical format) sweating bullets to
make it look as close to the original and not lose data.
after 4 hours (almost), i have a file that is currently about 30kb, (what
was formerly 6MB!!) with no VISIBLE difference between the two!
of course, this new slim version can suddenly get fatter in a couple of
days, so i have made a zillion templates, just in case.

i am SURE there is a whiz out there who has sorted this problem out and is
laughing at my efforts!

well, i am a proud plodder!
any inputs?
thanks for reading.

steve