How to Reduce the Size of Excel Files

1. Remove unnecessary graphics and fonts from the Excel file. Simple report data doesn't need a lot of excess formatting to make it attractive. If you need to keep different fonts in your file, reduce some of the font sizes you originally used.
2. Reduce the number of pivot tables you allow in your data analysis. Run your pivot table wizard when dealing with involved calculations. When given options to format the file, choose those that allow the data to refresh instead of adding a new table.
3. Input your data, close the file and save as an Excel (XLS format) file and as an HTML (XML format) file. To do this, choose 'XML Data' in the 'Save as type' drop down box. Change the name of your document as well, so you can tell the difference between the two files.
4. Open the XML file and save it back into the regular XLS file to create a smaller file than the original. Again, rename this file, as well as changing its type. This act removes odd programming left from past calculations since the last 'save.'
5. Check into file compression software such as OzGrid. These products exist because you cannot open a file once it gets too big. Compress the XLS data by compelling the program to recalculate the cells used for your file.