File size limits

Each plan allows a certain workbook size. This page gives the numbers, explains how size is measured and what happens at the limit, and shows how to make a workbook smaller.

The limits

On Basic, every workbook may be up to 250 KB, and you can have as many drafts as you like. On Pro, the workbooks of all your services, drafts included, share 10 MB.

How size is measured

There are two checks:

• When you import an Excel file, the size of the file on your computer is compared with the per-workbook limit of your plan.
• When you save, the size of the workbook as SpreadAPI stores it is compared with the limits. If the save is refused, the message names that size.

The stored size can differ from the size of the Excel file, because the workbook is stored in the editor's own format. Formatting, many sheets and large data tables add to it. The status bar under the workbook shows the stored size as File; it changes when you save. Before the first save it shows the size of the content you loaded.

What happens at the limit

On import. A file above the limit is not imported. The app shows: "The file is larger than 250 KB, the limit of your plan. Please use a smaller file." with an Upgrade button.

On save. A save that would exceed a limit is refused, and the message names the size and the limit, for example:

• "This workbook is 310 KB. The Basic plan allows 250 KB per workbook."
• "With this workbook the account would hold 11 MB. The Pro plan allows 10 MB over all workbooks."

The workbook stays as you last saved it. Make the workbook smaller, or upgrade, and save again.

A workbook that is already over the limit can still be saved as long as it does not grow. This matters after a change of plan: you can keep working on existing workbooks, and published services are not affected.

Make a workbook smaller

1. Keep only what the calculation needs. Delete sheets that hold notes, old versions, charts or raw exports.
2. Trim data tables. A lookup table with thousands of rows is usually the largest part. Keep the rows and columns the formulas use.
3. Clear unused formatting. Formats applied to whole columns or rows, down to the last row, are stored too. Select the unused area and clear it.
4. Remove images and embedded objects. They do not take part in the calculation.
5. Replace helper columns that are copied down thousands of rows with a more compact formula where possible.
6. Split the model. Two smaller services are sometimes clearer than one large one. Note that on Basic only one of them can be online at a time; see Published services limit.

After each step, save and check the File size in the status bar; a refused save names the size in its message. More advice: Workbook tips.

If it still does not fit

• On Basic, upgrade to Pro for 10 MB. See Upgrade and billing.
• Beyond Pro, larger workbooks are part of the Custom plan. Write to support@airrange.io.
• On Pro, free space by deleting drafts you no longer need; their workbooks count towards the 10 MB.

For developers and agents

• Basic: 256,000 bytes per workbook. Pro: 10,485,760 bytes per workbook and for all workbooks of the account together.
• An agent connected to the account reads its limit from what_can_you_do under account.max_workbook_bytes.
• When a workbook sent through the connection is too large, the action answers with the code workbook_too_large (HTTP 413). Make the workbook smaller, or tell the user.
• The size of a workbook has no effect on the number of calls; see Call limits.

FAQ

How big can my Excel file be?

Up to 250 KB per workbook on Basic. On Pro, all workbooks of your account together may use 10 MB, and larger sizes are agreed in a Custom plan.

Why was my file rejected as too large?

The Excel file is larger than the per-workbook limit of your plan. Make the file smaller or upgrade, then import it again.

Why can I not save my workbook any more?

The save would take the workbook, or on Pro all workbooks together, above the limit of your plan. The message names the size and the limit; reduce the workbook or upgrade, then save again.

Where do I see the size of my workbook?

Open the service on the Configuration (Konfiguration) tab. The status bar under the workbook shows the size of the workbook as last saved as File, in KB or MB (before the first save: the size of the loaded content); when a save is refused, the message names the exact stored size and the limit.

How do I make my workbook smaller?

Delete sheets, rows and columns the calculation does not use, clear formatting from unused areas, and remove images. Large lookup tables are usually the biggest part.

Do drafts count towards the 10 MB on Pro?

Yes. The 10 MB cover the workbooks of all services of the account, published or draft. Delete drafts you no longer need to free space.

My workbook is over the limit after a change of plan. Is my service still online?

Yes. A published service stays online, and a workbook that is already over the limit can still be saved as long as it does not grow.

Does a bigger workbook use more of my monthly calls?

No. Calls are counted per call, whatever the size of the workbook.

As an agent I got workbook_too_large. What now?

The workbook exceeds account.max_workbook_bytes of the user's plan. Remove unused sheets and data and send it again, or tell the user that the plan needs to be larger.