Converting pptx to 2003

[Guest]

Is there a way to programmatically convert a pptx file to PowerPoint 2003, XP
etc.?

 

[TAJ Simmons]

comet61

Have you tried to just 'open' the file on powerpoint 2003 on the PC

as it should just 'open' without and conversion

Cheers
TAJ Simmons
microsoft powerpoint mvp

awesome - powerpoint backgrounds,
http://www.awesomebackgrounds.com
free powerpoint templates, tutorials, hints, tips and more...

 

[Patrick Schmid]

A pptx won't open in 2003 without the compatibility pack installed,
which is currently in beta as well and I would recommend therefore
against installing it on production machines.
You should open the file in 2007, and then save it as 97-2003 ppt.

Patrick Schmid

 

[Guest]

But my question is to automate the conversion from pptx to 2003, without
using the conversion pack. Is this possible?

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

But my question is to automate the conversion from pptx to 2003, without
using the conversion pack. Is this possible?

Using PPT2007? It should be possible and fairly simple. Using earlier versions
of PPT? Probably not possible.

 

[Guest]

I was hoping for a more definitive answer -> has anyone converted an office
openxml file to an earlier version?

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

I was hoping for a more definitive answer -> has anyone converted an office
openxml file to an earlier version?

Well yes. In PPT 2007, File, Save As and choose the earlier file format.

Are the results perfect? No. It's still in beta, for one, and for another, the
earlier versions don't support all the graphics features of PPT 2007. The conversion
will never be perfect.

Have you downloaded the beta preview and tried it? It seems that would allow you to
answer your specific questions re the specific features you use in your own
presentations.

 

[Patrick Schmid]

Microsoft has fixed most of the issues with converting to 2003 ppt
format in Beta 2, but there are still some left. The graphics feature of
PPT 2007 that 2003 doesn't support actually look pretty nice in 2003.
They look nice, as 2007 saves them as pictures for 2003. So you can't
edit them, but at least the presentation will look nice (unless you blow
it up a lot and individual pixels appear). The objects that are saved as
pictures for 2003 become fully editable again once you open the ppt file
in 2007.

Patrick Schmid