Empty space in Excel spreadsheets

Empty space in Excel spreadsheets

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We use an Excel spreadsheet that has grown inexplicably from about 11Mb to over 26Mb and then shrunk to 16Mb. The change in size occurs when we roll it over to a new period and save it with a different name in a new location. Other than the change in name, file path, and the figures reported, there is no change in the file. Is there any way we can eliminate the extra space it seems to be taking up?
Tom Trainer

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By User deleted
19th May 2005 16:52

Thanks for the comments guys. I assumed the extra size of the file would slow the machine down; 26Mb was a lot when I posted this question 4 years ago.

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By jerryhobbs
19th May 2005 12:34

How you format affects space
Formatting has been mentioned in a previous answer, but Excel is more space-efficient if you specify formatting for whole rows/columns rather than individual cells.

Also, make sure that you don't have any extraneous values in remote cells, eg way over to the right on your spreadsheet. You can check this using print preview, where such remote cell values would cause more pages to be in the default print area than expected.

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By listerramjet
19th May 2005 13:08

why?
Is the extra space really a problem? You could always buy a larger hard disk. This may be much cheaper than the time lost in identifying and testing other solutions.

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By AnonymousUser
11th Jun 2001 09:19

XL File Size

The best things to check are:

1. Remove all unused sheets - this makes a big difference.
2. Be sure to check that you're not saving as dual format - this is an option which has been around since XL version 5 and allows the user to save a workbook as the current AND an earlier version. e.g XL97 and XL95. In XL2000 this can be found under Tools | Options | Transition Tab. In essence this will double the size of the file as XL saves it as two version in the same file. Great for compatibility, not good for hard disc space!

Hope this helps. For further information, please go to our website (www.nexustc.co.uk)

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By Accounting WEB
07th Jun 2001 21:26

Excel Size
Neil has pointed you to the previous question similar to yours. I would also add that you might have unnecessay formatting in unused cells. How about highlighting all rows at the end of your data and go to Edit/Clear/All or more appropriately delete entire rows. I said last rows so make sure you don't have data in rows which are deleted.

Similarly do for columns. Unnecessay formatting can take lot of disk space.

In the previous message I suggested to save the file as CSV. If you go this route then please note all your formulae will be lost. You have been warned.

Jay Tanna

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By hal44
07th Jun 2001 16:02

Excel - size of worksheet
Is this anything to do with the "Undo" feature? Alternatively is the "External Link Values" switch on, (Excel 97 - Tools, Options, Calculations)?

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By neileg
07th Jun 2001 11:31

Try this for now
Have a look at this similar question:
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=47502&d=448&muscat

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