WD97: Poor Compression of Word Files That Contain Graphics (231922)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q231922

SYMPTOMS

When you use file compression utilities to reduce the storage size of Word documents that contain a large percentage of graphics, the compression ratio may be lower than expected.

CAUSE

Microsoft Word is designed to compress the pictures or graphics inserted into documents automatically. Word natively stores JPEG images and converts all raster formats to Portable Network Graphics (PNG). PNG is a compressed format.

Applying additional compression to well-compressed images does not yield a significant reduction in the amount of storage space. Only non-JPEG/PNG data like text and other data can be reduced by a compression algorithm.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2000
Keywords:kbprb KB231922
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