Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Sudden Increases in Workbook File Size.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 25, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Joe has a workbook into which he's been adding information for years. The workbook is normally about 5 MB in size, but recently jumped to 10 MB, two times the normal size. Joe was wondering what could cause such an increase.
Actually, there are all sorts of reasons that the workbook size could have jumped. One is that you've added some additional objects to the workbook that were not there before, such as graphics objects. It is also possible that changes in any macros attached to the workbook could have greatly increased the file size.
It could also be due to adding a PivotTable or changing how the PivotTable is saved within the workbook. You might also check to see where the last cell in each worksheet is located (press Ctrl+End on each worksheet). If the lower-right corner of the worksheet seems completely out of whack, then you can delete whatever columns or rows are necessary to get the worksheet size back where it should be.
You might also check to see if the workbook is saved with sharing turned on. If it is, then the size of the file can sometimes increase dramatically.
Finally, if you changed the format used to save the workbook, then the file size can increase. Check to make sure that you are using the proper file format for the version of Excel you are using. It is also a good idea to use Save As (press F12) to save the workbook out into a new file, with the proper format. That way Excel will write the workbook file "from scratch" and have the greatest chance of creating the most compact file possible.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (8320) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Sudden Increases in Workbook File Size.
Program Successfully in Excel! John Walkenbach's name is synonymous with excellence in deciphering complex technical topics. With this comprehensive guide, "Mr. Spreadsheet" shows how to maximize your Excel experience using professional spreadsheet application development tips from his own personal bookshelf. Check out Excel 2013 Power Programming with VBA today!
If you need to change the same data in a large number of workbooks, the task can be daunting. Here are some ideas (and ...
Discover MoreYou can create a default template for both your workbooks and worksheets. These should be placed in the XLSTART folder, ...
Discover MoreWant Excel to remember where your workbooks were located on the screen and then open them in the same position the next ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2021-05-20 15:13:24
Luis
Thank you Allen. I used your tip "CTRL + END" and found more than 17 columns x 1048564 rows (!!!) of blanks on a sheet. Deleting it reduced the size from 16 MB to 700 KB. Thank you very much for posting your solution. Luis. May 20, 2021.
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here:
Comments