Fix RTF File Size Increasing in Newer Microsoft Office Versions
Question details
The user is experiencing an unexpected increase in the size of older RTF files after they are opened and saved in a newer version of a word processor.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening, editing, and saving an older RTF document using a more recent version of Microsoft Office.
- Observed behavior
- The file size of the RTF document increases upon saving because newer Office versions update the file structure and add hidden metadata required for modern features.
Before making any changes or removing hidden data, create a backup copy of your original RTF file to ensure you do not lose any critical formatting or information during the inspection process.
Use Document Inspector to Remove Hidden Data
Inspect the RTF document in Microsoft Word to find and remove unnecessary hidden metadata that inflates the file size.
Newer versions of Microsoft Office automatically update the underlying file structure of older RTF files to support modern features, which inherently increases the file size. Since RTF does not provide a specific setting to preserve older Office-specific file structures, the best workaround is to remove excess hidden data.
Launch Microsoft Word and open the older RTF file that has increased in size.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, navigate to 'Info', click the 'Check for Issues' button, and select 'Inspect Document' from the dropdown menu.
In the Document Inspector dialog box, leave the default options checked and click 'Inspect'.
Review the inspection results. Click 'Remove All' next to categories like 'Document Properties and Personal Information' or 'Hidden Text' to strip out unnecessary data.
Go to 'File' > 'Save As', ensure the 'Save as type' is strictly set to 'Rich Text Format (*.rtf)', and save the document.
Convert the RTF to DOCX Format
If maintaining the specific RTF format is not strictly required, converting the file to the modern DOCX format will drastically reduce the file size.
Edit RTF Files Seamlessly with WPS Writer
WPS Office provides a streamlined word processor that efficiently handles older RTF files, allowing you to edit and save your documents without injecting unnecessary bloat or complex metadata.
- 1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office on your device and click on 'Docs' to open the word processor component.
- 2. Open the RTF Document: Click on 'Menu' > 'Open' and browse your computer to select the older RTF file.
- 3. Edit and Save: Make your desired edits. When finished, go to 'Menu' > 'Save As', ensure 'RTF File (*.rtf)' is selected in the file type dropdown, and click 'Save'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Word increase the size of my older RTF files?
Newer versions of Microsoft Word often update the underlying file structure of older RTF files to support newer formatting features and modern metadata. Because RTF is an uncompressed format, these structural additions naturally increase the overall file size.
Can I stop Microsoft Office from updating the RTF file structure?
No, Microsoft Office does not provide a specific setting to preserve the exact legacy file structure of older RTF versions when saving in a newer version. The application automatically applies updated structures to accommodate its current features.
Will I lose formatting if I remove hidden data from my RTF file?
Removing hidden data via the Document Inspector typically only removes personal metadata, invisible content, custom XML data, and document properties. Your standard text formatting, fonts, and layout will remain intact.
Is DOCX generally smaller than RTF?
Yes. DOCX is a compressed, zipped XML format, whereas RTF is largely uncompressed plain text with formatting tags. Saving an identical document as a DOCX will almost always result in a significantly smaller file size than saving it as an RTF.
