How to Stop Microsoft Word from Creating Extra HTML and XML Files
Question details
Users are finding that extra HTML, XML, image, and theme files are automatically created alongside their document when saving, particularly on shared servers with multiple collaborators.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Collaboratively saving and editing documents on a shared server or network drive.
- Observed behavior
- Unexpected files (such as HTML, XML, and image folders) are generated in the save directory instead of just a single standard document file.
Verify the file extension of the document you are working on. Extra files are typically generated when a document is accidentally saved as a Web Page (.htm or .html) instead of a standard Word Document (.docx).
Save the Document as a Standard Word Format (.docx)
Ensure the document format is set correctly during the save process to prevent Word from splitting the file into web page components.
When a file is saved as a web page, Microsoft Word generates a main HTML file and an accompanying folder containing XML data, themes, and images. Changing the format back to a standard document packs everything into one clean file.
Launch Microsoft Word and open the document that is generating the extra files.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the Word interface, then select 'Save As' from the left sidebar.
Choose your desired save location. Click the 'Save as type' dropdown menu and change it from 'Web Page (*.htm;*.html)' to 'Word Document (*.docx)'.
Click the 'Save' button. Your document will now be saved as a single file, and no extra HTML or XML folders will be generated on future saves.
Verify Collaborator Save Settings
Check if other users in your shared server environment are causing the issue by saving with incorrect default settings.
Use WPS Office to Save Documents Cleanly
If you want to avoid format confusion and prevent extra XML or HTML files from cluttering your shared servers, try WPS Office. It defaults to clean, single-file document formats while remaining fully compatible with Microsoft Word.
- 1. Download and install: Get WPS Office from the official website and follow the installation instructions.
- 2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document you wish to edit.
- 3. Save cleanly: Click 'Menu' > 'Save As' and select the standard '.docx' format to ensure all data is kept in a single file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Word create a folder with XML and HTML files when I save?
This happens when a document is saved as a 'Web Page (*.htm, *.html)'. Word generates a main HTML file and a companion folder containing supporting files like XML data, theme configurations, and images required to display the page in a browser.
How can I safely delete the extra HTML and XML files?
First, open the document in Word and use 'Save As' to save it as a standard Word Document (.docx). Once safely saved and verified, you can manually delete the HTML file and its associated folder from your file directory.
Can collaborative editing cause these extra files to appear intermittently?
Yes. If a document is stored on a shared server and edited by multiple people, it only takes one user saving the file as a web page to generate these extra files. Ensure all collaborators are saving the file as a standard .docx format.
Does WPS Office create these extra files when saving?
No, WPS Writer defaults to saving documents as single .docx or .wps files. It will only create additional folders if you explicitly choose to export the document as a web page.
