Excel file too big even when I delete all cells

  • Thread starter Thread starter hollymross
  • Start date Start date
H

hollymross

My file size is 700 KB for a spreadsheet with little text and few
formulas with links but no macros. I deleted the cells to the right
and bottom of the cells being used and the size stays the same; even
deleting all of the cells in the workbook does not change the size. I
cut the spreadsheet and pasted into a new file and the new file has
the same size as the original. Any ideas? Thanks!
 
You might have some named ranges defined in the workbook which are no
longer needed. Another common reason for a workbook to increase in
size is for there to be some graphic objects which are no longer
needed. Check also that the file is saved as the latest version, not
as a hybrid (i.e. Excel 5.0/95 workbook).

Hope this helps.

Pete
 
After deleting the unused rows and columns did you SAVE the workbook.

Some versions require a sav/close and reopen before changes take effect.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP
 
All mentioned methods did not work!!

I tried the following tests and appended my finding:

Test #1
Action Result
Remark
1. Copy "Problem" Excel File to dummy >>OK
Data + Chart
2. Open dummy Excel File >>OK
3. Delete "Slow-motion" Worksheet >>File Size drop dramatically
4. Copy & Paste data from "Problem" file >>File size increase litte bit

Test #2
Action Result
Remark
1. Open "Problem" Excel File >>OK
Data + Chart
3. Delete "Slow-motion" Worksheets' charts >>File Size drop very little bit
4. CLEAR ALL"Slow-motion" worksheet' data
5. Save & re-open Excel File >>File size still same

Any suggestion to fix my problem on using Excel 2003.

Daniel Cheng
 
All mentioned methods did not work!!

I tried the following tests and appended my finding:

Test #1
Action Result
Remark
1. Copy "Problem" Excel File to dummy >>OK
Data + Chart
2. Open dummy Excel File >>OK
3. Delete "Slow-motion" Worksheet >>File Size drop dramatically
4. Copy & Paste data from "Problem" file >>File size increase litte bit

Test #2
Action Result
Remark
1. Open "Problem" Excel File >>OK
Data + Chart
3. Delete "Slow-motion" Worksheets' charts >>File Size drop very little bit
4. CLEAR ALL"Slow-motion" worksheet' data
5. Save & re-open Excel File >>File size still same

Any suggestion to fix my problem on using Excel 2003.

Daniel Cheng
Click to expand...

Are there objects? Press F5, click Special, choose Objects. If there
are any, the Delete key will get rid of them quickly. Assuming you
really want to get rid of them.

Exactly how much data is there?
 
In case another solution might help someone else, - I had an excel file with pivot tables that referenced external source data. I tried to save an extract version of the workbook that did not contain the pivot tables or reference the external data, but the workbook file was larger than expected and did not reduce much in size even if all the sheets were deleted. The problem appeared to be that cross-references to the external data were still retained somewhere internally in the workbook. One solution was to go back to a version of the spreadsheet before deleting the sheets containing the pivot tables and other external references, then transfer the external source data into the workbook, making sure there were no additional external links (menu item: Edit / Links), and THEN deleting the various sheets I didn't need including the data that had been transported back in and was not needed for the extract version of the workbook. CAUTION - use a separate copy of the workbook and the source data copied into a separate directory so that the original workbook and its reference links to the source data are not messed up. [note - Other potential solutions to a too-large spreadsheet included looking at the menu item: "format / sheet / unhide". and looking for hidden objects under the menu option: "tools / macro / visual basic editor" but that is for more experienced or risk-taking users.]

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My file size is 700 KB for a spreadsheet with little text and few
formulas with links but no macros. I deleted the cells to the right
and bottom of the cells being used and the size stays the same; even
deleting all of the cells in the workbook does not change the size. I
cut the spreadsheet and pasted into a new file and the new file has
the same size as the original. Any ideas? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Try this free Tool(docoptimizer.com) , it can reduce the number of styles in use and the number of activated cells.
 
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