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Copper Contributor

Dec 27, 2022

Abnormal file size caused by converting Excel tables to data areas

Abnormal.xlsx file size caused by converting Excel tables to data areas (empty areas with no data but occupied by styles). Is there a way to clear styles without opening the file

Silver Contributor

Dec 27, 2022

There's a way but it's more of last resort. Re-name the file to end with the extension .zip. Open the zip using File Explorer. Open the 'xl' folder and delete styles.xml. Close out of the zip package and re-name the file to be an .xlsx again. When the file is opened, you'll receive a message indicating problems with content were found (similar to an open and repair) and styles will be wiped.

Copper Contributor

Dec 27, 2022

I recorded the steps, and what I want to do is fix the action that caused the file size explosion

Step-1Step-2Step-3Step-4Step-5Step-6Step-7

Patrick2788
Silver Contributor
Dec 27, 2022
Wxy-Excel
I see. Essentially, you need to re-size the table, but the workbook won't open to where you can fix it.

You can still update the table dimensions using xml.

1. Make a copy of the workbook
2. Re-name the workbook to end with .zip instead of .xlsx
3. Open the .zip using File Explorer
4. Go to 'xl' folder then open 'tables' folder. In the Tables folder you'll have an xml file for each table in the workbook (table1, table2, table3 - it always shows the default generic name here).
5. Drag table1.xml outside of the zip package to another folder and then open it with Notepad.
6. Within the xml file you have to update the dimensions in two places as seen in capture here:
7. After correcting the table dimensions, save the xml file and close it. Drag and drop the xml file back into the zip package in the tables folder - opt to 'Copy and Replace' when prompted.
8. Back out of the zip package entirely. Re-name the .zip to be .xlsx once again. Open .xlsx.
9. Enjoy
- Wxy-Excel
  Copper Contributor
  Dec 29, 2022
  Very good solution. The disadvantage is that. The xml is too large (usually 500-600MB), and there is no editor for editing
  - peiyezhu
    Bronze Contributor
    Dec 30, 2022
    500mb?
    
    my suggestion is to use database rather than spreadsheet.

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