WD97: File Size Twice as Big When Compared to Earlier Version (168967)

SYMPTOMS

When you open a document from either an earlier version of Microsoft Word or a different word processing program, and save the file as a Microsoft Word 97 document, the file size doubles or significantly increases in size.

NOTE: This problem may also occur when you insert a file from an earlier version of Word (or a different application) or when you paste the document into a Word 97 document.

CAUSE

When you first save the document in Microsoft Word 97, Word assumes that the document will not be compressed, and it allocates sufficient room for the contents of the document.

WORKAROUND

Results will vary depending on the contents of the converted document; however, using one of the following methods may allow you to save the document without a significant increase in the document file size.

Method 1: Save to a Different Folder

Save the document a second time, but to a different folder.

Method 2: Perform a Word Count

On the File menu, click Properties.
Click the Statistics tab.
Click OK and then save the document in Word 97.

Method 3: Scroll Through the Document

Use the mouse to move the right, vertical scroll bar down to the end of the document and then save the document in Word 97.

Method 4: Add Text to Document

At the end of the document, type some text. For example type

this is a test

and then save the document in Word 97.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

111277 WD: Change in Document File Size Is More or Less Than Expected