How to Increase Excel File Size Limit without Deleting Data?

Improve your Excel performance by increasing the file size manually or automatically. Here, we have explained a few techniques to handle large Excel file sizes without losing any data.

Working with large spreadsheets in Excel is not a tedious task until you face the issues due to large file size, like slow performance, crashing, freezing, etc. So, if you are also frustrated with the large size and want to increase Excel file size to improve Excel workbook performance, then don’t panic, we have explained all the best ways using binary format, by splitting large files, removing unnecessary formatting, optimizing formulas, compressing by zipping, deleting unwanted data, etc.

MS Excel has predefined limits on rows, columns, and file size, which are a major source of challenges when working with large datasets. There is no direct option to increase the size of an Excel file, but you can do so manually or automatically by following the suggested solutions.

What is the Excel File Size Limit?

Before knowing anything, let’s understand Excel’s built-in limits:

• Maximum rows: 1,048,576
• Maximum columns: 16,384 (XFD)
• Maximum file size: Depends on system memory and version
• Maximum worksheets: Limited by available memory

So, technically, you can’t increase the size, but you can optimize your file for more storage space.

Why Large Excel Files Become a Problem?

Users face multiple issues due to a large Excel sheet:

• Slow opening and saving data files.
• Your application frequently crashes and freezes.
• High memory (RAM) consumption
• High risk of file corruption.

How to Improve Excel Performance with Large Files Manually?

Handling large Excel sheets is not an easy task for any user, so you can optimize the file by deleting unwanted data or formatting, or following other techniques like:

• Saving as Binary Formats
• Removing Unnecessary Formatting
• Optimizing Formulas
• Deleting Unwanted Data
• Compress Excel File Size by Zipping
• Cleaning Hidden Data
• Dividing Large Files

Method 1: Saving as Binary Format

If you have a file saved as .xls, then try to save it as modern .xlsx and .xlsb formats. Because these formats are lighter than other extensions.

1. Open your XLS file.
2. Select the “File” >> “Save As” options.
3. After that, choose “File Type” and choose “XLSX / XLSB” formats.
4. Browse the path and save your file.

Method 2: Removing Unnecessary Formatting to Handle Large Excel File

1. Open your Excel file.
2. Use “Ctrl + End” to check the last cell.
3. If it goes beyond your actual data, then it means there’s hidden formatting.
4. Choose all your empty rows below your data.
5. Right-click and choose the “Delete” icon.
6. Now follow the same steps for columns.
7. And save your file.

3 Method: Optimizing Formulas

1. Select all your Cells and formulas.
2. Choose “Ctrl + C” to copy data.
3. Right-click and “Paste Special” → “Values”.

Method 4: Increase Excel File Size by Deleting Unwanted Data

Empty rows/columns and unwanted data take up more storage space in the Excel file, which makes it large and hard to handle. So, try to remove them to increase Excel file size by following the given steps:

1. Select rows and columns.
2. Right-click and choose the “Delete” icon.
3. And save your file.
4. Now repeat the same process for unwanted data as well.

Method 5: Compress Size by Zipping

If you have multiple large files and don’t want to use them for a long time, then Zipping would be the best option to decrease Excel file size.

1. Locate the path of your file.
2. Right-click on it, choose the “Compress To” option.
3. And select the “Zip” option.
4. And successfully your file is compressed.

Method 6: Cleaning Hidden Data

Sometimes hidden data becomes a cause of a large Excel sheet.

1. Choose your whole sheet.
2. Right-click and select the “Unhide” option.
3. And delete the wanted data, rows, and columns.

Method 7: Dividing Large Files to Decrease Excel File Size

Manual techniques are best for a few files, or you can easily access them with MS Excel. But in case you are not capable of opening a file, then you should use the suggested solution. Because split your large file into smaller parts by size, rows, and sheets for easy access anytime. This is the best way to decrease Excel file size without deleting any data and improving Excel performance with large files. Let’s learn more about the solution.

How to Increase Excel File Size using a Tool?

1. Download and start the suggested solution, and choose the “Split Excel” option.

   

2. Import your file/folder using the “Add Folder” or “Add File” option.

   

3. It will scan and load your data, and choose the “Next” icon to continue the process.

   

4. Choose any “Split Option” and location as per priority.

   

5. Hit the “Split” button to increase Excel file size.

   

Conclusion

Decreasing Excel file size is not an easy task, because there is no manual way available to do it. We have explained some techniques for a short time, like deleting unwanted data, formatting, saving your file as a binary format, or zipping your large file. But in case you want a solution for a longer period, then you could break your large file to improve Excel performance with large files. We have suggested a solution that can increase Excel file size by splitting it into smaller and more manageable parts.