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Reduce the Size of an Excel file aka Workbook

As you get more proficient at Excel, sometimes a Workbook will have many sheets and get very large is size.

Large workbooks are slow to load, save, recalculate and often don't really have that much information.

I developed a spreadsheet to identify the specific sheet or code that's causing the issue.

I'll be developing a number of lessons on how to develop this tool.

You will also get access to the tool so you can shrink large spreadsheets yourself. Below is the output generated from the sheet.

As you can see below the total size of the file is 8.5 megabyte (mb) and the top 5 are using 61% of the 8.5mb.

C:\VBA\Time-monitoring.64.xlsm
Size% of SheetRowsColsRows * ColsBytes/Cell
File Size8,569,648428
Dilbert Log_new blog5,990,1831,974,64524.0%17923585,516
PURGE3,124,8981,748,39921.3%8672882496967
Dilbert Log7,964,828604,8207.4%8232462,459
XLC - Sheets at work1,834,435422,5675.1%148152220190
Persuasion397,222274,5283.3%350716561125
Dilbert Word Analysis5,699,899207,9252.5%11274202254801
Sheet95,516,258183,6412.2%339831019418
Twitter1,001,385177,3442.2%821611,084
Dilbert Word Links5,341,841174,4172.1%264951324513
Sheet62,710,450168,5872.1%281010281006
Dilbert-backup5,184,066157,7751.9%19405970016
Book Creator Templates850,551140,6321.7%261211,719
Cant Return books on time1,303,366106,3401.3%111106,340
source2,482,39295,9891.2%47781477820
Sheet52,625,30085,1501.0%27358218804
Dilbert5,907,82482,3591.0%8656519016
Cognative biases724,06472,4420.9%5952119061
Sheet123,005,60870,5900.9%26017182074
Microsoft MVP5,006,65952,4440.6%336198265
LogTasks1,592,80450,4900.6%150617256022
Principles1,205,45749,9700.6%52510525010
Streaks3,081,84241,1660.5%158143679831
BFN1,493,32634,9360.4%9591095904
Doc Files2,972,45131,7790.4%6195309510
Mood vs Food2,594,09831,2020.4%21302174622100
Resume Words2,418,46130,0040.4%7222144421
$1 MM by 9-26-20164,944,94228,6690.3%3671451386
Scott Adams book675,11427,3270.3%5111471544
Squeeze pages2,309,54426,6760.3%1338,892
ASPStuff - code346,01523,1270.3%449144952
Lib books priorities1,414,10722,4830.3%264104216
Category to Book1,719,79120,1080.2%1004242005
My resume2,448,46518,9510.2%1869237385
5 Elements2,923,49617,9630.2%368725767
Profiessional Website821,66416,2990.2%14456291
Stefan Molyneux2,909,49014,0060.2%90327052
Excel Class Creator1,815,20913,9420.2%494522056
Ideas5,145,11912,7670.2%15267101841
XL Training1,793,03512,7380.2%3921766642
AIM1,743,50012,4350.2%2382354742
$10000 course1,557,94012,1390.1%5761692161
10x chapter 41,481,29012,0360.1%344134435
BFN Plan1,530,23411,3720.1%891089013
BS Test5,103,88211,0600.1%506030004
Excel Class1,697,90810,6160.1%3491966312
bkp Persuasion805,38210,2790.1%1941019405
Config1,436,59010,1590.1%27381125
Todo5,091,10510,1250.1%1921121125
Listi Shortcuts2,292,7229,3660.1%105552518
Blog1,582,3129,3210.1%452090010
Weight Loss Method2,944,0099,2150.1%56633627
Car Mileage2,276,1868,9300.1%171017053
Shortcuts1,294,4608,9060.1%2122246642
Priroitze interests2,267,4188,7680.1%1031313397
Links_15,170,7318,5120.1%194358215
Which Finger5,078,2798,3170.1%762720524
Links_old5,162,7597,9720.1%144343218
QnA1,462,1417,8080.1%1941223283
AB Test4,983,3127,6100.1%44626429
task analysis2,337,5467,3880.1%20418209
Affirmations4,973,6117,1410.1%4011144112
EE2,402,1787,0730.1%178712466
Steve Scott Todo4,911,5487,0380.1%101330323
I2$1,268,8266,8440.1%693624843
Random Idea Creator710,9786,6050.1%501365010
Books to read1,448,2996,5040.1%25717537
Goals4,998,7236,4550.1%1062627562
WCED Charts4,889,1536,3730.1%11222290
Sam Harris analysis2,372,5146,0780.1%69138977
10 Ideas per day1,188,3666,0010.1%38186849
92 ways to talk to anyone2,881,9645,9900.1%101660610
QIEM1,652,4405,8660.1%353010506
Task Category2,899,0825,5620.1%81432417
Excel1,279,9955,5440.1%10788566
curtask1,665,2005,3010.1%68117487
Job Interview prep2,413,2305,2310.1%1101617603
SCOTD - Shortcut2,302,0885,0570.1%591810625
How to2,285,1165,0550.1%2248857
Theories-Ideologies2,578,3814,8650.1%49524520
SAB Old2,397,3384,8400.1%158914223
Links5,179,2434,8230.1%11355659
Transcribe Podcast799,1914,5920.1%1077066
Tim Ferris - Daymon John1,782,9834,5710.1%90119905
Choose Yourself1,197,0674,5550.1%139227816
$100 Startup decision matrix5,073,8194,4600.1%241228815
Goal sheet - Zig Ziglar2,351,1834,4560.1%733827742
Waking Up1,178,7294,3870.1%12244889
Goal analysis24,884,8294,3240.1%48178165
Marcus Lemonis2,257,0024,1990.1%113222619
Passion and Demand1,644,6924,1240.1%5695048
Food Selector371,2174,1220.1%26277026
Prioritize Latest books4,895,5264,0730.0%311031013
ab_backlog5,158,7094,0500.0%30526107
Calories Lookup5,123,4074,0010.0%13911734
Blood Glucose Tracking4,900,5443,9850.0%843226881
Systems work or not2,384,8393,9470.0%28411235
Delayed Email2,586,8393,8370.0%5105077
Problems5,066,5433,8200.0%30721018
Spam1,693,2833,6570.0%8432114
Sheet101,829,1513,6180.0%31618619
Vitamins2,583,2463,5930.0%4728128
Teaching - Training2,967,8283,3780.0%88435210
Book on Scott Adams671,7503,3640.0%8324140
Sprint Book2,364,0963,3490.0%6184887
BooksLoc1,765,5833,2370.0%30154507
$100 Startup Questions5,070,3633,1980.0%5974138
Anger2,344,9343,1750.0%171423813
Make a million1,688,6803,1710.0%221430810
Blogging Tool2,360,9683,1280.0%1935755
Excel VBA Book4,923,4403,1120.0%702316102
Blogging Topics2,357,8663,1020.0%39519516
Google Adsense2,388,7863,0910.0%1434274
Goal Qs2,381,7643,0750.0%171322114
WOAD new1,546,8253,0530.0%51630610
Steve Jobs Presentation1,662,1523,0480.0%12224127
SPAW (Super Productive At Work)5,139,1933,0150.0%18712624
System Analysis702,4412,9790.0%21163369
Books1,288,0142,9720.0%47125645
Publishing ebooks 4 dummies1,681,5842,9600.0%3627241
Idea Muscle375,3392,8350.0%1356544
Darren Daily 5 Not382,8112,7880.0%764266
Pick one idea 1,263,8532,7420.0%19917116
Idea Creator5,088,3882,7170.0%85217016
Daily Practice1,194,3672,7000.0%56528010
Listi.net4,930,6222,6930.0%28411224
PURGE22,368,3832,6840.0%52157803
Habits1,183,1162,6260.0%36518015
Likes vs Hates1,476,3762,6030.0%40520013
Shortcuts I use1,555,3472,5930.0%41520513
7 Triggers Action plan3,079,2662,5760.0%1735151
Scott Adams Story Creator708,4032,5750.0%954557
TF Questions1,454,8032,5640.0%34310225
Task2$1,658,3062,5500.0%14811223
Dash Diet2,956,8302,5470.0%943671
Success5,114,9422,5260.0%5652809
Coincidence1,201,6222,5240.0%4104063
XLC Special Characters1,811,0282,5100.0%34723811
Branding1,678,1502,4820.0%20612021
STS Algorithm841,6622,4780.0%3339925
Help1,285,5392,4750.0%38415216
ASSCURL Infographic2,891,7132,4700.0%20510025
New Job1,577,6752,4590.0%3727433
Category to Book legend1,717,3422,4490.0%1379127
Listi.net html4,933,3152,4360.0%101110124
$10000 numbers1,552,9132,4340.0%36145045
Stefan Molyneux Overview2,907,0942,3960.0%38311421
Domain Sales1,671,6642,3620.0%29514516
A1C2,962,6522,3340.0%62169922
XLC Excel Diet1,808,7432,2850.0%4262529
Biz Model848,2792,2720.0%33103307
Finance2,477,1022,2690.0%1333958
Hourly tracking1,790,8592,1760.0%1758526
Monthly Goals21,760,2522,1690.0%25123007
Scott Adams Sayings1,411,9632,1440.0%4028027
10KC Questions for me1,549,8782,1220.0%28514015
Vocabulary2,474,9852,1170.0%40416013
Learning2,379,6512,1130.0%36310820
Log5,131,4992,1040.0%77215414
tweet4,879,0842,0860.0%101010021
Marketing Methods1,457,3672,0830.0%5420104
WOAD Plan4,942,8762,0660.0%5394774
XD Feedback4,996,1862,0600.0%2412486
$ecurity797,1312,0600.0%2124249
Listi to SQL Test plan1,574,4872,0250.0%34517012
anti-terrorism839,6701,9920.0%17117117
Marketing1,290,9861,9810.0%2825635
Daily New Job Prep380,8341,9770.0%24102408
BFN Proofread1,528,2621,9720.0%15913515
Product vs Concept5,137,0521,9690.0%1099022
Try Stuff-focus2,264,7801,9570.0%1199920
Dr. Priorities844,9971,9380.0%1022097
Autophagy4,882,8941,9350.0%1534543
Quartz Demo2,953,2241,9330.0%33123965
Writing2,468,6671,9320.0%3113162
Obstacles1,778,8111,8920.0%18814413
Sentence from book991,1831,8410.0%832477
Year by Year goals1,572,6541,8330.0%2136329
Top rules2,410,4691,8260.0%2136329
I2$ Steps1,259,1171,8240.0%29174934
AIM numbers1,755,9351,8200.0%19611416
Goal Questions5,059,1031,8190.0%4124838
Sheet152,592,2821,8160.0%133605
Joseph Sugarman5,135,2571,7950.0%1434243
Steve Scott Method4,918,5861,7950.0%3261929
ExercisePlan1,773,1421,7950.0%20102009
What can Excel do5,086,5961,7920.0%323210242
Cmd - form - give - action2,942,2261,7830.0%4416111
Learn Excel and...4,937,0681,7620.0%1646428
Skills needed to learn Excel705,4201,7570.0%2012088
Health from work1,777,0551,7560.0%2738122
MTB1,186,6141,7520.0%25512514
UseCases1,771,4071,7350.0%33413213
Osteo tod4,881,1701,7240.0%2625233
Religion1,769,6831,7240.0%18814412
Don't Do List385,5991,7120.0%12112143
calories369,5101,7070.0%6212142
Presentation378,1741,6840.0%2122470
Prediabetes4,993,8511,6780.0%2012084
Politics Page393,3571,6770.0%2236625
STS5,062,1131,6760.0%4093605
writing tool2,955,1571,6730.0%3627223
XLC What can Excel do1,813,5381,6710.0%31412413
Random Titles1,832,7691,6660.0%1823646
Lies From the Media2,479,3711,6590.0%742859
I2$ categories1,260,9411,6580.0%14114118
Where to put stuff4,992,1951,6560.0%1523055
Stand out5,133,6031,6540.0%3813844
Stock Stragies1,741,8521,6480.0%14114118
Distractions1,276,8301,6310.0%22613212
Interview Questions1,473,7431,6100.0%1534536
Plan to Make $1,256,5301,6090.0%1233645
Programming the mind717,5831,6080.0%1122273
Be an Expert at1,713,1511,6070.0%2236624
Twitter Profile Pic3,076,1981,6060.0%15115107
Process to get $1,267,2251,6010.0%674238
Picture what you want1,684,5441,5950.0%493644
Book Categories2,961,0591,5930.0%2173447
Priorities1,409,7061,5860.0%2512563
Training-Teaching996,0281,5860.0%1823644
Sheet11395,0341,5800.0%2510158
Blood Sugar5,128,9111,5620.0%3351659
Three Goals Three Tasks1,471,3801,5610.0%653052
SexOk App1,650,1391,5600.0%1723446
parkinsons law1,446,7491,5500.0%921886
Process for change at NJ2,895,2551,5440.0%2449616
Why have I failed1,278,4611,5340.0%1923840
knowledge to training2,964,9861,5250.0%133508
Course Creator1,676,6291,5210.0%24133125
Declutter1,757,7551,5170.0%965428
Purge Questions1,711,6351,5160.0%2537520
Book Creator Idea994,5131,5150.0%2324633
Frustrated819,0661,5130.0%191611461
BS Theories5,127,4081,5030.0%2525030
Learn X in a single Tweet721,2271,4960.0%133499
Actions to goals1,459,4501,4950.0%1669616
persuasion tool389,4241,4940.0%224374
Shortcut class1,292,9671,4930.0%1523050
Random Diet2,897,5911,4910.0%121214410
Book Creator993,0241,4890.0%20510015
Daily Process1,542,9721,4870.0%821693
Brand2,290,1711,4840.0%16111768
Mispelled Words5,005,1781,4810.0%921882
Time based tasks4,873,2971,4680.0%339163
Rules5,120,5021,4580.0%1133344
Martin Shrellis Pic4,876,3791,4560.0%1044036
4HB4,904,5291,4520.0%1022073
Calorie Log5,121,9601,4470.0%71611213
Dr. Appts.2,371,0671,4470.0%1055029
Function to sw prod1,691,8511,4320.0%15913511
Possible Bizs1,469,9491,4310.0%1835427
Low Fat2,889,2871,4290.0%2024036
Day by Day Did1,781,5561,4270.0%25410014
Action to goal1,479,8691,4210.0%2349215
Shortcut Book4,920,3811,4200.0%3572456
URL available2,905,6761,4180.0%313473
Podcast2,308,1361,4080.0%2148417
10KC Qs1,674,0261,4030.0%42312611
Poor Managing-Management843,5971,4000.0%236233
Mastermind group1,687,2831,3970.0%2336920
Work on for a day or month837,9631,3880.0%1735127
Idea Analysis3,004,2301,3780.0%6212115
Questions to ask Banksy1,000,0071,3780.0%2012069
Problem solving Book5,065,1661,3770.0%122689
Requirements5,063,7891,3770.0%1111,377
Better Writing5,101,2301,3740.0%721498
5 Pt. mk $ idea1,764,2101,3730.0%1122262
PSWs1,714,7581,3700.0%326228
BS Plan3,123,5301,3680.0%515274
Cover Creator998,6391,3680.0%441686
10,000 hour rule1,541,6061,3660.0%854034
Backlog5,118,4931,3640.0%212682
Lookup allowable time4,980,7521,3640.0%248171
Energy2,395,9751,3630.0%472849
vba syntax errors2,481,0301,3620.0%542068
Fun1,571,2921,3620.0%2212262
Persuasion Software Backlog390,9181,3510.0%717193
Bright Side846,9351,3440.0%1823637
Food to feeling722,7231,3410.0%236224
Back Yard2,262,4551,3380.0%10110134
10 Life Goals2,393,8171,3360.0%1122261
5 Elements of Learning2,887,9541,3330.0%224333
Book to Write2,336,2201,3260.0%732163
Task Questions1,643,2941,3250.0%5210133
Wt Lifting Plan1,648,8161,3230.0%2024033
Monthly Goals4,935,7511,3170.0%19132475
Knowledge2,966,5111,3170.0%1658016
Excel at Work1,204,1461,3110.0%954529
Phone Reboots1,775,7491,3060.0%5210131
EE@W1,660,8561,2960.0%919144
Daily Email4,910,2591,2890.0%721492
Resume4,940,5201,2820.0%15812011
Read a random Book2,471,3861,2820.0%12910812
Effective Biz Writing5,102,6041,2780.0%1911967
Topics to write on2,261,2011,2540.0%1244826
Q2Ask1,262,5991,2540.0%616209
NJD2,467,4161,2510.0%832452
PITSEC1,580,1341,2510.0%3103042
NJ4,877,8351,2490.0%1422845
diarhea387,3111,2480.0%428156
What did I accomplish today2,971,2061,2450.0%2612104
W2FO (What 2 focus on)5,143,0561,2310.0%717176
Good headlines707,1771,2260.0%326204
Daily Measure1,708,5241,2200.0%2510122
B4M2,409,2511,2180.0%2012061
CurTask Sales and Marketing2,349,9661,2170.0%5210122
Top 52,348,1091,2150.0%695423
Plan to clean house1,716,1281,2140.0%2236618
500 Error Checklist1,570,0791,2130.0%843238
Symptom to Disease4,928,2701,2030.0%2361389
Affiliate programs1,675,4291,2000.0%1111,200
Website and book4,982,1161,1960.0%717171
10KC Lesson order1,460,9451,1960.0%1222450
Hadoop817,8711,1950.0%1422843
Scott Adams answers2,473,7931,1920.0%616199
Book to Goal816,6831,1880.0%1491269
Health goal of the month2,356,6891,1770.0%1735123
Work stuff1,591,6331,1710.0%1611673
Meeting Process1,670,5011,1630.0%10110116
Salary to skills1,576,5121,1630.0%2112253
Idea Status1,275,6701,1600.0%753533
MIQ1,789,7011,1580.0%785621
Dreams1,739,8991,1560.0%339128
Investing Wealthfront4,929,4731,1490.0%122575
Daily Goals1,686,1391,1440.0%1022057
Commitment not Goal1,807,6071,1360.0%248142
Morning routine1,710,5071,1280.0%1311387
Whats more important1,787,5541,1270.0%431294
Longevity2,472,6681,1250.0%616188
Habit Analysis1,763,0891,1210.0%1122251
Are Question Marks Necessary4,939,4041,1160.0%515223
Meditation1,255,4271,1030.0%1411479
The Self392,2691,0880.0%1111,088
FTAD2,392,7311,0860.0%414272
Face your fears820,5791,0850.0%1611668
Steve Scott Title Generator4,909,1841,0750.0%663630
Autoedit1,545,7501,0750.0%621290
WOAD 2.04,941,8021,0740.0%721477
Daily Affirmations2,894,1831,0720.0%1511571
Comedy2,291,6551,0670.0%818133
My Failure list2,378,5921,0590.0%1211288
Exercise4,927,2131,0570.0%717151
Title to Story2,355,6391,0500.0%821666
blog by talking1,806,5701,0370.0%1111194
Goals at home and work4,906,9621,0320.0%428129
The Truth2,904,6441,0320.0%414258
Productivity Tips5,130,4731,0260.0%212513
Success Formula5,117,4681,0250.0%1233628
Noah Kagan1,544,4591,0250.0%122513
email tool997,6141,0250.0%721473
Gifts for me1,475,3531,0230.0%212512
Goals at work815,6611,0220.0%717146
QAQ1,788,6811,0200.0%552541
Priority Algorithm719,1911,0200.0%515204
Persuasive Writing720,2111,0160.0%13111437
Form Give Action2,959,3779980.0%236166
Twitter strategies2,890,7169970.0%818125
Logger2 ppt2,880,9719930.0%1122245
CurTask Features2,307,1459910.0%414248
Canger2,263,7939870.0%431282
G4V4,905,9819810.0%717140
PURGE of Goals2,879,9919800.0%818123
Medicle info1,759,2729800.0%621282
T Shirt Biz1,258,1399780.0%224245
Creativity379,8589760.0%515195
Goal Analysis1,696,9409680.0%414242
Book Problem Sovling4,921,8019580.0%111958
Max2,879,0379540.0%326159
New Data4,899,5999450.0%111945
SoyCoz804,4399430.0%313314
Decisions2,591,3449380.0%313313
Gr8Qs2,367,4459380.0%621278
Errors3,078,3299370.0%248117
Resume New stuff2,412,2959350.0%212468
Costs1,581,3859270.0%1211277
10kC Assessment1,552,0009130.0%313304
Sheet75,060,9229010.0%111901
to do1,478,9798900.0%2361386
Waking Up Organization1,185,7428720.0%111872
Humor388,5598650.0%111865
OWL1,768,8208630.0%1511558
Memory2,391,8778540.0%542043
Step by step to lower bs1,780,7038530.0%1022043
Financial firms in NYC5,142,2088480.0%341271
PUD (Plan Your Day)5,144,2878320.0%1166613
Periscope Checklist4,874,7658310.0%212416
Things to do NYC5,157,8868230.0%631846
Blood Sugar Tests2,395,1538220.0%291846
Lost1,774,9378120.0%542041
Laughter1,472,9418020.0%111802
Advice1,805,7737970.0%133266
Book to Value1,741,0557970.0%261266
Sheet162,896,7997920.0%111792
Dougs Questions1,680,6327910.0%91988
Anti-fragile2,470,5997870.0%313262
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