Difference in file size when saving excel files.

I tried to use prtScrn button on the keyboard to capture the screen (excel UI) and then
pasted it to excel then saved it. I tried to do the same thing on my friends
machine and what surprises me is that the file size of two excel is different.

We use the same OS, excel version and the same machine specs.
My saved excel file is around 7.91 mb in size while his is just around
235kb. Why is this like this?

Both pasted image have bmp as a format (default for excel when a you use
print screen and directly paste it on excel.).

Is your screen resolution the same?

Was the photo pasted into a blank sheet in both cases? Are you sure?

Does your friend have Excel set up to compress pictures on Save, and you do not?

Did either of you make any other changes to the file before saving?

Originally Posted by zumbalj

Is your screen resolution the same?

Yes, screen resolution is the same as well as other specs.

Originally Posted by zumbalj

Was the photo pasted into a blank sheet in both cases? Are you sure?

Yes and yes. Actually the pasted photo was just a print screen of MS excel 2010.

Originally Posted by zumbalj

Does your friend have Excel set up to compress pictures on Save, and you do not?

No.

Originally Posted by zumbalj

Did either of you make any other changes to the file before saving?

I was actually the only one who did the test and only pressed prntScrn then paste then save, and did the same to the 2nd file but I pasted it as a PNG format.

I tried the same thing to 4 other machines in the office. Out of 6 machines where I tested it 3(lets call this group 1) of it has the same result and the other 3(group 2) has the same result. The only common thing about group 1 is that all the excels on those machines were installed last November 2012 and all of them(users) says that they didnt make any set up changes. Group 2 machines has excels which was installed just last week. Still no set up changes was made.

Group 1 results.
excel with BMP image: 235kb
excel with PNG image: 900kb

Group 2 results.
excel with BMP image: 7.91mb
excel with PNG image: 900kb

Who does the install? Would that person be able to tell you if there were additional updates or patches installed with the program on group 1's machines?

Keep in mind, it is very difficult for people to remember all the changes they make to settings and preferences. A lot of people do it naturally, without giving it enough thought that they'd necessarily remember it.