This guide will explain how to compress a file more than 100MB in Excel using four simple and efficient ways.
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Excel is a fantastic tool containing several features and tools we can use. And when we use too many of the features in Excel, our file size may unexpectedly become too large.
Furthermore, large file size can make it challenging to save and share the file with other people. And it can post restrictions when sending a file via email and make it difficult for the receiver to download it.
But worry not, there are several methods we can use to compress a file of more than 100MB in Excel.
Let’s take, for instance, a scenario wherein you must compress an Excel file.
Suppose you have just finished making a report for work. And you need to send it over to your colleague. But you realized the file size is too large, making it difficult to send via email. So you want to perform some methods to try and compress the file size to 100MB.
Great! Let’s not waste any time and move on to discussing the several methods we can try to compress a file to more than 100MB in Excel.
How to Compress File More than 100MB in Excel by Removing Conditional Formatting
Conditional formatting is a handy feature in Excel that allows us to highlight certain values based on the given rule or criteria. However, conditional formatting can make a file very heavy. So it would be better to remove all the conditional formatting applied to our data set once we are done using it.
Then, let’s learn the step-by-step process of how to remove conditional formatting in our file to compress its size.
1. Firstly, we need to select the cells wherein we applied conditional formatting. Next, go to the Home tab and select Conditional Formatting. In the dropdown menu of Conditional Formatting, click Clear Rules. Lastly, select Clear Rules from Selected Cells.
2. Furthermore, we can also choose to remove all conditional formatting in the entire sheet. So follow the same process and select Clear Rules from Entire Sheet.
3. And tada! We have successfully removed the conditional formatting in our file to reduce its size.
How to Compress File More than 100MB in Excel by Deleting Empty Cells
Excel provides its users with a large space to work with. But, most of the time, we do not end up using the entire space. And we are left with many empty cells.
These empty cells can add up to our file size. So it would be better to delete the empty cells in our file to compress its size.
Let’s learn the steps of how to delete empty cells in Excel to compress files more than 100MB in Excel.
1. Firstly, we need to select all the empty cells in the worksheet. But, this might take too much time. So we can also press Ctrl + Shift + Right/Down Arrow. Then, right-click and select Delete.
2. And tada! We would only be left with the cells containing data.
How to Compress File More than 100MB in Excel by Removing Formulas
Excel is a popular tool for using formulas and calculations. And we can have several formulas in our worksheet that will add up to the file size. So it is highly recommended to remove the formulas whenever we are done using them, or they are no longer needed.
And we can do this by using the copy and paste feature in Excel to remove the formulas and only keep the values.
Let’s discuss the step-by-step process of how to do this method.
1. Firstly, we need to select the cells containing data. If you are working with a large data set, you can also click the upper-left beside column A to select the entire sheet.
Then, press Ctrl C to copy the data set and right-click. From there, choose the Paste Value option.
2. And tada! We have successfully removed the formulas and only kept the values that can compress the file. Additionally, this can also remove any hyperlinks present, which can also add up to the file size.
How to Compress File More than 100MB in Excel by Clearing the Format
Another method we can use to compress a file of more than 100MB in Excel is by clearing the format in the worksheet. Although we often use formats to present our data better visually, this is also another reason why the file size may become too large.
Unless it’s necessary, it will be better to clear the formats in the file. So let’s learn how to do this method.
1. Firstly, select the cells needed. Then, go to the Home tab and click Editing. From the dropdown menu, select Clear and click Clear Formats.
2. And tada! We have quickly cleared the format in the worksheet. And this would help compress a file of more than 100MB in Excel.
You can make your own copy of the spreadsheet above using the link attached below.
And that’s pretty much it! We have discussed thoroughly how to compress a file of more than 100MB in Excel using four simple and efficient methods. Now you can go ahead and try to apply these four easy methods whenever you find yourself having a large file size and needing to compress it.
Are you interested in learning more about what Excel can do? You can now use the various other Microsoft Excel formulas available to create great worksheets that work for you. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about the latest guides and tutorials from us.
