Word + watermark image + text = big file

[Morgan19]

I've created a Word template that has a 72 dpi (low res) full-page watermark image set in the background. This document, with no text or anything, is 76 kb.

If I paste in a couple pages of text and save it on a PC, it balloons up to almost 2 megs. If I flow in the same copy and save it on a Mac, the filesize is only 92 kb. The two files are exactly the same except for the fact that one is saved on a PC (I've tried with both Word XP and Word 2000) and one is saved on the Mac.

So why would the file size expand that much on the PC? Is the PC having to duplicate the watermark for each page, thus bumping the filesize up?

m19

 

[rvnguy]

Morgan19,

I don't know if you have used the "watermark" tool or not If you have skop this. but if you have not see this eaplanation.

BTW: Have a look at the total installed size for "Word" PC vs MAC, they both are the same functional program but the size difference is amazing. I will leave it at that.

From the MS assistance:
To print a watermark, you must insert it into a header or footer. The watermark is printed wherever you place it on the page, it doesn't have to be confined to the area at the top or bottom of the page.

1 On the View menu, click Header and Footer.
2 On the Header and Footer toolbar, click Show/Hide Document Text to hide the text and graphics in the main document.
3 Insert a graphic, a drawing object such as an AutoShape, clip art, WordArt, pictures, and imported art that appears on every page.

If you want to insert text, such as "Draft," click Text Box on the Insert menu, and then type the text you want to appear on every page. You can size the text box by dragging the sizing handles.

4 To format the graphic, select it, and then click Picture or Object (Format menu). On the Picture tab, under Image control, select Watermark from the Color box to format the picture with preset brightness and contrast settings that work well for watermarks, or adjust the picture's brightness and contrast manually using the Brightness and Contrast slide controls. To format the graphic so that document text flows above it instead of wrapping around it, click Picture or Object (Format menu). On the Wrapping tab, click None.

To format the text in the text box, select it, click Font on the Format menu, and then select the options you want. To rotate the text, click Text Direction on the Format menu, and then select the option you want. Because the text box is a drawing object, you can use options on the Drawing toolbar to format its borders, background color, and so on.

5 On the Header and Footer toolbar, click Close.

Hope This Helps

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[Morgan19]

I inserted the watermark by going to Insert > Watermark... But that's not the problem. The watermark is in fine, it's the fact that it's exploding the filesize on the PC that's the issue.

m19

 

[rvnguy]

Morgan19,

Did you compare program sizes PC vs MAC?

As it is a watermark, you might attempt to reduce the file size of the image as a partial solution.

Have you looked at one created on the MAC, viewed on the PC?

If not converted to PC format does it remain MAC size?



rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[Morgan19]

>> Did you compare program sizes PC vs MAC?

Yes, I'm aware of the size difference but that doesn't get me anywhere in solving the issue... I've also used a low-res image for the watermark but that's not a satisfactory solution as it needs to be high-res for printing.

But both of those aren't the point: I don't need thet image to be smaller or marvel at the programs' size differences, I just need to figure out why the size gets so big on a PC but it stays the same on the Mac. Yes, I've looked at the one saved on the Mac on a PC and it's still the smaller "Mac" filesize.

This is for a client, so I can't just say "Oh well, use the Mac version" because they have PCs and need to be able to do the work on their own without me doing it for them every time.

m19

 

[fumei]

Have you tried copying it to a new document, and then saving?

Gerry

 

[Morgan19]

Yep. No matter what, every time I save the document on the PC with the watermark, the file size gets abnormally huge: I can do it in a new document, copy/paste it, type it in by hand, etc. and it always does the same thing.

m19

 

[xlhelp]

Just a shot in the dark: Under Tools, Options, is "Allow Fast Save" checked? If it is, uncheck it.

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