Stephanie Krieger has an excellent debunking of some myths about the “hidden” parts of files created by Microsoft Office applications: The Whole Truth About Metadata in Office Documents:
Some producers of add-in applications referred to as metadata scrubbers would have you believe that there is a grand conspiracy brewing within your very own documents that only they can solve for you. Even some articles from highly respected publications contain misinformation — the whole topic seems to have turned into an out-of-control, global game of telephone!
The whole article is worth reading. Also, if you use Office, be sure to check out Stephanie’s new blog, Arouet dot net.