How to delete comment pictures, not just the comments?

[BenRichards]

Hello. When I use pictures in comments (mouse cursor over cell will pop up a picture), then remove such a comment, the file size tells me that the image itself is still stored in the excel-file. I never did paste these pictures into excel, I added them like in this link: Excel - How to add an image to a cell How to delete such pictures? Thanks!

 

[madforgolf]

Hello. When I use pictures in comments (mouse cursor over cell will pop up a picture), then remove such a comment, the file size tells me that the image itself is still stored in the excel-file. I never did paste these pictures into excel, I added them like in this link: Excel - How to add an image to a cell How to delete such pictures? Thanks!

Format comment Click on the edge of the comment and select NO FILL - this will remove the picture/image.

 

[BenRichards]

madforgolf, I've tried this. I just tried it again. 1.5M Excel file became a 5M file after adding a comment with a 3.5M picture and saving. Then, when I took the new file, selected no fill, the picture disappeared from sight, but after saving the file size remains at 5M.

 

[RoryA]

Which version of Excel? In 2010, removing the comment does reduce the file size for me (clearing the picture fill does not).

 

[BenRichards]

Version 2013. When I do a trial run opening a blank sheet, everything works as it should, that removing will reduce the filesize. But the worksheet I'm working on, a professional one which already has a ton of information, does not decrease in size. It must be something in that specific worksheet then that is causing this malfunction... has anyone experience of such a situation?

 

[RoryA]

What file format is it? .xls or .xlsx/.xlsm/.xlsb?
Have you tried simply assigning a very small picture to it first, then deleting that?

 

[BenRichards]

It's .xls. I just tried different pictures (in case it was caused by a specific pic), large, small, no difference. The file increases, removing the comment does not reduce it.

Edit. And if I assing a picture in the normal way, one that is shown all the time, not just in a comment, then the file works as it should. A picture increases the size, while deleting it will decrease the size.

 

[RoryA]

If you assign a very small picture to the comment, replacing the large one, does the file size change?

 

[BenRichards]

I tried it, doesn't work. The first picture increases the filesize. The replacing picture increases it more by its own size. Good idea, though. That could have very well worked...

 

[RoryA]

What if you use File-Check for Issues-Inspect document, and then remove comments? (do this on a copy of the file in case you need to recreate the comment information)