File Inflation (All Versions)

[Jerry]

I don't know what to call this problem, but this is something I have seen occasionally for several years now. When you are working on a small file, it becomes extremely large for no reason. If you copy the contents to a blank file, the new file goes back to a "normal" size even though the contents and the attached template are exactly the same as the original file; this corrects the problem.

Does anyone know what causes this, and how to prevent it.

Thanks.

Jerry

[LennyJo]

By chance, do you have Fast Save enabled? If so, turn it off.

Tools|Options|Save Tab

LennyJo

[Jerry]

LennyJo:

Thanks. Yes I did have that selected; I have turned it off.

By any chance can you tell me why this problem seems to occur randomly? It's easy to fix once it has happened, but what's going on exactly? Does it have something to do with the "file format."

Jerry

[Phil Rabichow]

Hi Jerry:
I don't know about randomly, but there are many things that can affect file size. You can sometimes reduce file size considerably by going to File-Properties-Summary tab and removing the "Save preview picture" checkbox. Converting files from Word 6 & 95 to later versions can increase file size. Graphics, especially if edited in Word itself, will increase file size. That's all I can think of right now, but I'm sure there are others.
Cheers,

[Jerry]

Phil:

I guess what I'm asking about are file sizes that seem abnormal. I work with large numbers of Word files that are all of the same type; none have graphics. I know more or less how big they should be based on page number. Sometimes I see files with small page numbers that grow to several MBs while I'm working on them. If I paste the contents of one of these super sized files into a blank file--keeping all things equal--the file size is reduced back to what I would expect, sometimes 20% of the original size.

What do you think is going on there?

Thanks.

Jerry

[LennyJo]

Like Phil, I can't comment on the random aspect, but turning off Fast Save is a good thing anyway. Among many problems it can cause, file bloat is one. Leave it turned off and see if new files work better.

LennyJo

[Phil Rabichow]

I agree with what Lenny said. That will cause what appears to be random large files. What "Fast Saves" does is to add your edits onto the file. Every time you edit, whether to add or subtract text, the edit is an addition to the file. The idea behind it was that it took less time to save each edit than to save an entire file. So what you ended up with was the original file & a bunch of globs added on. Every so often (I've forgotten whether it was based on the number of saves, size of the additions, or both), Word did a complete save. In the days of 25 & 33MH, this may have made some sense.

Nowadays, the "extra" time it takes to save even a large file is minscule. In fact, I don't think it ever saved time because it was one of the biggest causes of file corruption & <big>that</big> was a real waste of time. In addition, the long save that ocurred whenever you finally did a full save probably made up for the difference.

The only other thing that might cause "random" bloat is perhaps some add-in. If you have any, you can check them out by following steps at <post#=197827>post 197827</post#>.
Cheers,

[Jerry]

Thanks.

Jerry

[Phil Rabichow]

You're welcome. <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15>