File size suddenly jumps to 30 MB

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Emily Walker

A few people in my department have had this problem recently. I'm usually the
Word expert in the group, but am not sure what causes this.

Both were working in documents that contained no images or embedded files or
links. The documents are (poorly) formatted using Normal style and manual
formatting. I think both contained paragraphs where Normal was set to
auto-update (ouch!). Track Changes is also usually on. After a seemingly
benign formatting change, the document will suddenly shoot to 30 to 35 MB, up
from less than 1 MB.

When I try to fix the documents afterward, I first accept all changes and
turn off change tracking. But short of reformatting the entire documents, I
don't know how to fix the problem. I've ended up starting with an older
version of the document and manually making the updates myself. I cannot
reproduce the problem on my computer, but I also do formatting in different
ways than they do.

Suggestions on how to troubleshoot?

Thanks!
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

You seem to have taken into account at least two of the common causes of
file bloat, which are as follows:

1. Fast Saves: Disable this at on the Save tab of Tools | Options.

2. Preview Picture: Clear the check box on the Summary tab of File |
Properties.

3. Versions (File | Versions): Make sure "Automatically save version on
close" is not turned on.

4. Revisions (Tools | Track Changes):
Highlight Changes: Make sure "Highlight changes on screen" is turned on
(or that "Final Showing Markup" is displayed).
Accept/Reject Changes: If "Accept All" or "Reject All" is available then
revisions are present; accept or reject all changes, then turn Track Changes
off.

5. Embedded True Type fonts (Tools | Options | Save); embedding fonts should
be avoided wherever possible.

6. Embedded graphics: When feasible, it is preferable to link the graphics.

7. File format: Make sure you are saving as a Word document; in some cases
..rtf (Rich Text Format) files are significantly larger than .doc files.

8. Document corruption: See
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/AppErrors/CorruptDoc.htm.

Possibly one (or more) of the other six?
 
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Emily Walker

Thank you for the great list of file bloat causes! After some
troubleshooting, we found it was due to corruption from auto-update being set
 
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Suzanne S. Barnhill

I'm glad you got it sorted. Just for the record, which "auto update" are you
referring to? The one in Tools | Templates and Add-ins ("Automatically
update document styles), the one in Format | Style ("Automatically update"),
or some other?
 
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Emily Walker

Sorry! The one in Format | Style ("Automatically update"). I couldn't
reproduce it in another file when I tried, but the author of the document
said he was positive none of the other factors applied and could reproduce
the file bloat as he made changes to Normal-tagged paragraphs.
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

Hmm. Interesting that it would have that effect, but definitely something to
keep in mind.
 
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