Word (.docx) output very slow

[Metamonomous]

Hi, trying to output a project to a Word file, but it's taking about 45 minutes for a single file when it used to take maybe 5 (no change in PC hardware, Win 11 x64). PDFs output quickly as usual. It's an approx. 685 page file, have I exceeded some sort of limit? Any suggestions appreciated.

[Tim Green]

Hi Mouse,

600+ pages shouldn't be a problem on a decently configured machine.

First make sure that you're not publishing to a network drive or (much worse) a remote drive via a VPN. Both will always slow you down, VPN massively. Apart from that, the following factors may cause slow compiling:

• A lot of .snipx and .xplain objects from SnipSVG and HelpXplain inserted directly. These need to be freshly compiled every time you publish, so they will take extra time.
• Any graphics, linked snippets or other referenced assets in locations that are not currently available. They will then be missing in the output as well. Windows is very slow at resolving nonexistent drives and online locations.

Apart from that, check the compiler report displayed after publishing. Are there any indications of problems there?

[Metamonomous]

Thanks Tim,

My project and output folder are on the local machine, although the images are on OneDrive. That's always been the case before, but could that matter? I set them all to "Always available on this device," but that didn't do the trick.

I use a VPN so I turned it off and tried to publish but that didn't help.

No .snipx and .xplain objects, and no compiler messages.

-"Mouse"

[Tim Green]

Hi Meta Mouse,

That's odd. The images on OneDrive should be OK (HM projects should never be edited there!) but it might be worthwhile to copy them to a normal local folder and change the project search path setting temporarily to locate them there. Also check in your search path for any orphaned references to inaccessible or network folders, that can also slow you down. (Configuration > Common > Project Search Path).

Also try publishing with a different Word template. Just use one of the unedited ones included with HM.

I'm also going to confer with our developers to see if they can come up with ideas on what might be happening here. We may need to ask you to send us your project and Word template.

[Alexander Halser]

We'd need a (hopefully small) example to reproduce it. But before that, it makes sense to break it down and find the origin of the slowdown.

If PDFs output is quick, then DOCX export should be even quicker, certainly not slower (if both contain the same content and not different content due to export-related include options).

Question 1: Is the slowdown equally distributed over the entire export? Or does it slow down over time or "hang" at certain topics?
Question 2: Which version (version number and build) of H&M are you using?

As a first step, try to export DOCX with one of the standard DOCX templates. If that makes a difference, the customized template must be the source of the problem. If that's not the case, proceed with

Step 2: copy the entire project including all images / image folders to a new empty folder on your computer, that is outside the OneDrive folder. Export this test copy as DOCX -> export to the same new folder (!). Any difference?

If still slow, narrow down the location where the slowdown occurs. In the test copy of your project, try to delete about half the TOC entries (e.g. first half of chapters -> export, then second half of chapters -> export). You can do this by temporarily deleting half of the TOC entries, close the project without saving, then open it again. Ignore all export errors for the time being. When the "slower half" has been identified, save the project part that is slow, then repeat the procedure with the remaining content. You'll quickly narrow the source of the problem.

I'd like to receive a copy of that trimmed project including images to reproduce the error here.

[Metamonomous]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I'll work through them and get back when I can.

[Metamonomous]

Hi Alexander,

Version: 9.6.0 6810
Tried with a default template, no change.

The slowdown starts more or less immediately, but seems like it might slow down more gradually in a straight ramp until the end. I originally estimated 45 minutes to output 680 pages, but it actually wound up taking about 2 hours.

I created a desktop copy of the project with images and output all in the same folder, no change.
I tried gradually deleting topics (and referrers) down to about 1/3 of the original size, no change.

So strange, I've never had problems like this in years of using my beloved HPM.
Can you advise a secure and private way to send you my project?

[Tim Green]

Can you advise a secure and private way to send you my project?

Just pack everything in a zip and send a download link to support AT ec-software.com (replace the AT with @). A OneDrive link is fine, provided you set it to "Anyone" and "Can View" so that we don't need a login for it.

[Metamonomous]

Sent the link, the attachment is called TEST PROJECT.

[Tim Green]

Thanks, the test project compiles in less than 20 seconds on my machine, both with the template you sent and a standard template. I've forwarded it to Alex and he's going to have an in-depth look at it. Results may take until the beginning of next week.

It's possible that something in your configuration is slowing it down. Does your company have any special security software installed, for example Sophos? It could also be something to do with a third-party anti-virus system working overtime.

[Metamonomous]

OK well that narrows it down for sure, thanks for testing that. I'll maybe have a talk with IT over here and see what I can come up with. Appreciate your help.