Why Proc Export on .XLS format continues increasing on file sizes?

[toeysk130]

I would like to know the reason why file sizes continue increasing after I rerun the same command below and get file output, 'SUMMARY1_POST_JOURNAL.xls'. 

proc export data = WORK.s1
outfile = '/tmp/SUMMARY1_POST_JOURNAL.xls'
dbms =  xls replace;
sheet = "sum1";
run;

# First run

  

# Second run

PS. I uses SAS9.4

[Kurt_Bremser · Accepted solution]

That seems to be a "feature" of the Microsoft module used to write the xls file. I guess it keeps information about the changes from the previous file.

Check what happens if you remove (or rename) the existing file first.

PS nowadays you should use DBMS=XLSX.