Significant File Size Difference

[CRO1]

Greetings,

Using RoboHelp X5 to develop a Web-help project. When generating the print version (approximately - 1100 to 1200 pages) there is a difference of 8Mbs when using Word 2000 and Word 2002.

The computer with Word 2000 installed generates a 11Mb whereas, 2002 generates a 19Mb (installed on a different machine)

Why does this occur?

Thanks

[Guest]

Hello CRO1,

From what you describe, I would think that the problem is Word Related. You could try:

1. Open Word
2. File - Open
3. Locate your File
4. Click on arrow near Open button
5. Click on "Open and Repair
Then Save the document and check the file size.

Additionally, there are a number of reasons for excessive file size, including:

1. Fast Saves: Disable this at on the Save tab of Tools | Options.

2. Preview Picture: Clear the check box on the Summary tab of File |
Properties.

3. Versions (File | Versions): Make sure "Automatically save version on
close" is not turned on.

4. Keep track of formatting (Tools | Options | Edit). This is reportedly a
major cause of file bloat in Word 2002 and above.

5. Embedded True Type fonts (Tools | Options | Save); embedding fonts should
be avoided wherever possible.

6. Embedded graphics: When feasible, it is preferable to link the graphics.
That is, when you insert the graphic, click the arrow beside Insert in the
Picture dialog and choose Link to File rather than Insert or Insert and
Link.

7. Embedded objects: These are even worse than ordinary graphics saved with
the document. If you see an { EMBED } code, the graphic is an OLE object.
Unless you need to be able to edit the object in place, unlink it using
Ctrl+Shift+F9.

You could also try :
1. Click on the paragraph symbol on the Word toolbar
2. Select the whole document except for the last paragraph mark (if there is a develloping corruption on the large file when generated to Word 2002, this wil be where it is contained)
3. Copy and paste into a new document, and attach the template.

Hope some of this helps,

Brian

[MergeThis]

All good tips from Brian.

Also, turn off the ["Straight quotes" with "smart quotes"] option, not for any size issue, but for what happens to them when converting to other formats, such as RoboHTML.

Tools > AutoCorrect > AutoFormat As You Type > Replace as you type


Good luck,
Leon

[Guest]

Thought I had covered everything. Just goes to show....

Brian

[CRO1]

Brain and MergeThis,

Thanks for your answers, I 'll adjust the Wrod settings and see what happens.

Cheers,

[Guest]

Just one more thing. I assume that you have a copy of the template on both machines. If so as a last resort, delete the one from the suspect machine and copy the other accross. Slight chance there is a template corruption starting. Don't you just love Word.

Brian