Masters of Excel, I need you

[lozina]

I've got an excel spreadsheet from a client which has about 6.5 megs of mysterious data in it... The file was originall 7 megs with 6 worksheets and I've deleted all but 1 worksheet and on this one worksheer I've selected everything and clicked 'Clear Contents' and then selected everything again and clicked delete. This removed all the data, the formatting and the grouping. Yet this file is still 6.5 megs!

I want to reduce the size of this file because I need to distribute it via network and I just need the data that is visible so I'd like to figure out what the heck this 6.5 megs of data is, if it's important, and if I can remove it. I checked for Macros and any VB code too... what else can I check?

 

[Joemonkey]

can you export to CSV, then create a new spreadsheet and import back in?

 

[NeoV]

is the data on the one worksheet left in formula format or just hard coded numbers and letters?

Delete any blank rows as well.

Also, is the file shared for multiple users? That will keep quite a bit of data around for revision history.

 

[theknight571]

I'd try the copy/paste into a new spreadsheet.

Are there any hidden worksheets/rows/columns? Select everything... then Format -> Rows -> Unhide.... Format -> Columns -> Unhide

Hmmm...

 

[lozina]

Yeah, I failed to mention that but I did try unhiding everything. There was a few hidden columns and one hidden row which I deleted as well before noting the file was still a whopping 6.5 meg.

I can create an empty spreadsheet and copy and paste the data into the new one, and the new file size is much more reasonable- 500 kb.

I just wish I knew what that 6.5 megs of data was so I know if it was at all important.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[theknight571]

Perhaps Excel files do not release their space once it's been used... just a thought... I'd have to do more research.

I know Access files will continue to grow, unless you perform a "Compact and Repair".

Edit:
Just out of curiosity... Hit F5, select Special, select Last Cell and hit ok.

This should take you to what Excel thinks the last used cell in the spreadsheet is.