Why does RTF filesize increase?

46137 · 05-27-2008, 08:55 PM

I'm sure this has been answered but can't find it.

If you take a RTF file then format it the file size keeps increasing.

I am sure it is storing the find and replace data

For example I took a plain text file then saved it as RTF. Came out at 65k.

Then used find and replace to replace double spaces with single spaces. Out to 112k. Next find and replace double line breaks and became 182k. Every time you find and replace the file size increase.

I always then save as plain text... down to about 30k, resave as RTF and finally only 50k with all of the extras removed. The problem is tho' any formatting is lost, headings bold etc with the final TXT. Is there anyway to minimise RTF file size?

Patricia · 05-27-2008, 08:59 PM

Drop the RTF file into Book Designer and make an LRF book. This is very compact, and you have the option of adding pictures, a table of contents etc.

46137 · 05-27-2008, 09:04 PM

Thanks for that.

Its just how I use my documents is that I quite often edit them, add bits so like to keep them as RTFs.

I am sure there is a simple way to minimise file size, but have no idea how!!!

Mikou · 05-27-2008, 09:43 PM

What program are you using to edit? In my experience, using word processors like NeoOffice or Microsoft Word tends to produce results similar to yours because they add hidden code to the file during formating.

If however, I use a simple text editor that handle RTF (example TextEdit on my Mac or Wordpad or Jarte on a Windows machine), the file size doesn't get so out of control.

pilotbob · 05-27-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46137

I'm sure this has been answered but can't find it.

If you take a RTF file then format it the file size keeps increasing.

Are you using word. Can you track changes in an RTF? YEs, you can, I just tried it. Make sure "Track Changes" is disabled when editing your document or it will grow for every change.

BOb

JSWolf · 05-28-2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricia

Drop the RTF file into Book Designer and make an LRF book. This is very compact, and you have the option of adding pictures, a table of contents etc.

Before you do that, don't forget to setup Book Cleaner using the Book Cleaner files posted in a sticky.

HarryT · 05-28-2008, 02:58 AM

The best way to "strip down" Word RTF files is to load them, and then resave them, in WordPad. This removes all the extraneous material from them.

DaleDe · 05-28-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The best way to "strip down" Word RTF files is to load them, and then resave them, in WordPad. This removes all the extraneous material from them.

Including all metadata. Wordpad is a poor choice if you want to preserve any metadata.

Dale

NatCh · 05-28-2008, 12:45 PM

Yeah, that is a drawback of WordPad.

Is there another app that you can suggest that leaves the meta data but still slims the file down?

HarryT · 05-28-2008, 12:59 PM

Slim it down and THEN add the metadata.

NatCh · 05-28-2008, 01:05 PM

Yeah, but if it needs editing again later the meta data would have to be re-added.

HarryT · 05-28-2008, 01:09 PM

True, you could always do that.

I think, though, the best answer is to simply load it into BD and generate an LRF book. Takes only a few minutes to do and that way you can have pictures, a TOC, etc.

NatCh · 05-28-2008, 01:15 PM

Oh I agree, but I want to archive the things in RTF -- I'm fairly confident in the format's longevity, you see.

HarryT · 05-28-2008, 02:28 PM

What I do for archival these days is, after I've created my nice book in BD, I export it from BD as HTML.

kovidgoyal · 05-28-2008, 02:31 PM

Keep you book files in calibre which stores metadata separately in its database and writes it to the ebook files whenver you save them to disk or send them to your reader.

05-27-2008, 08:55 PM	#1
46137 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 40 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lima, Peru Device: Sony PRS 505	Why does RTF filesize increase? I'm sure this has been answered but can't find it. If you take a RTF file then format it the file size keeps increasing. I am sure it is storing the find and replace data For example I took a plain text file then saved it as RTF. Came out at 65k. Then used find and replace to replace double spaces with single spaces. Out to 112k. Next find and replace double line breaks and became 182k. Every time you find and replace the file size increase. I always then save as plain text... down to about 30k, resave as RTF and finally only 50k with all of the extras removed. The problem is tho' any formatting is lost, headings bold etc with the final TXT. Is there anyway to minimise RTF file size?

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05-27-2008, 08:59 PM	#2
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	Drop the RTF file into Book Designer and make an LRF book. This is very compact, and you have the option of adding pictures, a table of contents etc.

05-27-2008, 09:04 PM	#3
46137 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 40 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lima, Peru Device: Sony PRS 505	Thanks for that. Its just how I use my documents is that I quite often edit them, add bits so like to keep them as RTFs. I am sure there is a simple way to minimise file size, but have no idea how!!!

05-27-2008, 09:43 PM	#4
Mikou Zealot Posts: 148 Karma: 5052779 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Device: Kobo Libra, Amazon Fire 10, Kobo Clara, Kobo Aura One	What program are you using to edit? In my experience, using word processors like NeoOffice or Microsoft Word tends to produce results similar to yours because they add hidden code to the file during formating. If however, I use a simple text editor that handle RTF (example TextEdit on my Mac or Wordpad or Jarte on a Windows machine), the file size doesn't get so out of control.

05-28-2008, 02:58 AM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The best way to "strip down" Word RTF files is to load them, and then resave them, in WordPad. This removes all the extraneous material from them.

05-28-2008, 12:45 PM	#9
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Yeah, that is a drawback of WordPad. Is there another app that you can suggest that leaves the meta data but still slims the file down?

05-28-2008, 12:59 PM	#10
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Slim it down and THEN add the metadata.

05-28-2008, 01:05 PM	#11
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Yeah, but if it needs editing again later the meta data would have to be re-added.

05-28-2008, 01:09 PM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	True, you could always do that. I think, though, the best answer is to simply load it into BD and generate an LRF book. Takes only a few minutes to do and that way you can have pictures, a TOC, etc.

05-28-2008, 01:15 PM	#13
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Oh I agree, but I want to archive the things in RTF -- I'm fairly confident in the format's longevity, you see.

05-28-2008, 02:28 PM	#14
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	What I do for archival these days is, after I've created my nice book in BD, I export it from BD as HTML.

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05-28-2008, 02:31 PM	#15
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,219 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Keep you book files in calibre which stores metadata separately in its database and writes it to the ebook files whenver you save them to disk or send them to your reader.