Get Access to World’s largest Template Library & Tools

How To Make an Excel File Smaller


Microsoft Excel, the ubiquitous spreadsheet software, can sometimes generate bulky files that slow down performance and hinder sharing. In this guide, we’ll explore straightforward methods to shrink the size of your Excel files without sacrificing data quality or functionality.

How To Make an Excel File Smaller

 

Do you find your Excel files becoming unwieldy and slow to work with? Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to reduce their size and improve performance. Here’s how:

  • Step 1. Remove Unnecessary Formatting

    step 1 remove unnecessary formatting

    Go through your Excel file and remove any unnecessary formatting such as excessive colors, fonts, or styles.

  • Step 2. Delete Unused Rows and Columns

    step 2 delete unused rows and columns

    Identify and delete any rows or columns that are empty or contain no useful data.

  • Step 3. Compress Images

    step 3 compress images

    If your Excel file contains images, compress them to reduce their file size without compromising quality.

  • Step 4. Consolidate Data

    step 4 consolidate data

    Combine multiple sheets or ranges into a single sheet to eliminate redundancy and reduce file size.

  • Step 5. Use Formulas Instead of Raw Data

    step 5 use formulas instead of raw data

    Instead of inputting raw data, use formulas to calculate values dynamically, which can reduce file size significantly.

  • Step 6. Use Pivot Tables Instead of Raw Data

    step 6 use pivot tables instead of raw data

    Convert raw data into pivot tables to summarize and analyze information more efficiently, reducing file size in the process. After. save your Excel file as a binary workbook (.xlsb) instead of the default .xlsx format to reduce file size.

You may also find valuable insights in the following articles offering tips for Microsoft Excel:

note iconNote

Unlock Your Productivity with Over 100,000 Microsoft Excel Templates! Exclusively Available at Template.net – Download Now and Transform Your Data Handling Experience!

FAQs

What is the difference between .xls and .xlsx files?

.xls files are in the older Excel format, while .xlsx files are in the newer XML-based format.

How do I convert an Excel file to PDF?

You can convert an Excel file to PDF by using the “Save As” option and selecting PDF as the file format.

Can I open Excel files in Google Sheets?

Yes, you can upload Excel files to Google Sheets or use Google’s “File > Import” feature to open them.

How do I password-protect an Excel file?

You can password-protect an Excel file by going to “File > Info > Protect Workbook” and selecting “Encrypt with Password.”

What is the maximum number of rows and columns in an Excel sheet?

Excel supports up to 1,048,576 rows and 16,384 columns in a single sheet.

More in Excel

How to Freeze a Line in Microsoft ExcelHow to Create If Then in Microsoft Excel
How to Add Text in Microsoft ExcelHow to Return to Normal View in Microsoft Excel
How to Add Secondary X-Axis in Microsoft ExcelHow to Export Google Calendar to Microsoft Excel
How to Calculate R Squared in Microsoft ExcelHow to Select 2 Columns in Microsoft Excel
How to Go to the Next Line in Microsoft Excel CellHow to Insert a Blank Row in Microsoft Excel
How to Format a Microsoft Excel SpreadsheetHow to Do a Multiplication Formula in Microsoft Excel
How to Email an Excel DocumentHow to See Edit History in Microsoft Excel
How to Color Rows in Microsoft ExcelHow to Average Time in Microsoft Excel
How to Add a Header and Footer in Microsoft ExcelHow to Create a Monthly Calendar in Microsoft Excel
How to Lock an Excel Workbook from EditingHow to Custom Sort in Microsoft Excel
How to Do a Waterfall Chart in Microsoft ExcelHow to Remove Line Breaks in Microsoft Excel
How to Unlock Arrow Keys in Microsoft ExcelHow to Create a Monthly Budget in Microsoft Excel
How to Find the Probability in Microsoft ExcelHow to Get Solver in Microsoft Excel
How to Edit a Cell in Microsoft ExcelHow to Pin Columns in Microsoft Excel
How to Remove Scientific Notation in Microsoft ExcelHow to Turn Off Compatibility Mode in Microsoft Excel
How to Edit an Excel SpreadsheetHow to Change Formulas to Values in Microsoft Excel
How to Create a Mailing List in Microsoft ExcelHow to Write Formulas in Microsoft Excel
How to Link a PDF in Microsoft ExcelHow to Add a Comma in Microsoft Excel
How to Create a Project Timeline in Microsoft ExcelHow to Sum Filtered Cells in Microsoft Excel
How to Do a Sum in Microsoft ExcelHow to Combine Data in Two Columns in Microsoft Excel
How to Download a Microsoft Excel SpreadsheetHow to Create Sequential Numbers in Microsoft Excel
How to Edit Named Ranges in Microsoft ExcelHow to Rearrange Rows in Microsoft Excel
How to Make a Graph Using Microsoft ExcelHow to Add Weeks to a Date in Microsoft Excel
How to Create a Line Chart in Microsoft ExcelHow to Add a Regression Line in Microsoft Excel
How to Split Rows in Microsoft ExcelHow to Delete Multiple Tabs in Microsoft Excel
How to Create a Bullet Point in Microsoft ExcelHow to Separate Words in Microsoft Excel
How to Delete a Graph in Microsoft ExcelHow to Sort Cells in Microsoft Excel
How to Merge Duplicates in Microsoft ExcelHow to Calculate Interest in Microsoft Excel
How to Find the Percentage of Two Numbers in ExcelHow to Rename Legends in Microsoft Excel
How to Merge 3 Columns in Microsoft ExcelHow to Combine Two Tables in Microsoft Excel
How to Insert Images in an Excel CellHow to Find Hidden Columns in Microsoft Excel
How to Find Percentiles in Microsoft ExcelHow To Make an Excel Spreadsheet
How to Force Quit Microsoft Excel on WindowsHow to Freeze the First Row and Column in Microsoft Excel
How to Clear a Clipboard in Microsoft ExcelHow to Set the Row Height in Microsoft Excel
How to Delete a Formula in Microsoft ExcelHow To Restore a Previous Version of Excel
How To Find Duplicate Cells in Microsoft ExcelHow To Pivot Tables in Microsoft Excel
How to Do Subtotals in Microsoft ExcelHow to Insert an Object in Microsoft Excel
How to Copy Rows in Microsoft ExcelHow to Get a Sum in Microsoft Excel
How to Put Exponents in Microsoft ExcelHow to Split Information in a Microsoft Excel Cell
How to Duplicate a Tab in Microsoft ExcelHow to Calculate R2 in Microsoft Excel
How to Consolidate Duplicates in Microsoft ExcelHow to Create Collapsible Rows in Microsoft Excel
How to Calculate the Coefficient of Variation in Microsoft ExcelHow to Insert a Microsoft Excel File in Word
How to Save a Microsoft Excel Sheet as PDFHow to Create a Box and Whisker Plot in Microsoft Excel
How to Disable Scroll Lock in Microsoft ExcelHow to Insert a Symbol in Microsoft Excel
How to Remove Minus Sign in Microsoft ExcelHow to Insert an Email into Microsoft Excel
How to Round in Microsoft Excel FormulaHow to Exit Header and Footer in Microsoft Excel
How to Add the Add-Ins in Microsoft ExcelHow to Find Blank Cells in Microsoft Excel
How to Shift Rows Up in Microsoft ExcelHow to Select a Range of Cells in Microsoft Excel
How to Get Solver on Microsoft ExcelHow to Create a Calculated Field in Microsoft Excel
How to Make a Paragraph in Microsoft ExcelHow to Create Mail Merge from Microsoft Excel
bottom banner