I have a large number of Power Point files that were created in 1995, 1996, 1997, and later using then current versions of Power Point (3.0 and earlier versions I think they were ... and since these were federal governement computers the operating system
was probably whatever was before Windows 95). I upgraded to Windows Vista 64 anad a new computer in August 2009, with Office 2007 and recently needed to open a Power Point presentation from 1997 and use it the historical data in a new presentation. My computer
wouldn't open the file and said that my current Power Point doesn't support earlier versions. I then tried to open the 1997 file one of my other computers that has Windows XP and Office 2003. The file wouldn't open on that computer either giving a similar
message. I also have an antique computer with Windows 98 that isn't very reliable, some of these old Power Point files can open on that computer with a little animation of pages flying through the air saying it is updating from an older version of Power Point.
I have hundreds of old Power Point files and some of them still have relevant historical information that I need to use occasionally without having to remember the details of what I put on them then. How can I open these old Power Point files on my new computer?
I have a large number of Power Point files that were created in 1995, 1996, 1997, and later using then current versions of Power Point (3.0 and earlier versions I think they were ... and since these were federal governement computers the operating
system was probably whatever was before Windows 95). I upgraded to Windows Vista 64 anad a new computer in August 2009, with Office 2007 and recently needed to open a Power Point presentation from 1997 and use it the historical data in a new presentation.
My computer wouldn't open the file and said that my current Power Point doesn't support earlier versions. I then tried to open the 1997 file one of my other computers that has Windows XP and Office 2003. The file wouldn't open on that computer either giving
a similar message. I also have an antique computer with Windows 98 that isn't very reliable, some of these old Power Point files can open on that computer with a little animation of pages flying through the air saying it is updating from an older version
of Power Point. I have hundreds of old Power Point files and some of them still have relevant historical information that I need to use occasionally without having to remember the details of what I put on them then. How can I open these old Power Point files
on my new computer?
Hi
I'm afraid 2007 won't open really old files (saved in '97 format or earlier I believe) but 2003 might. If 2003 won't, you need to find a computer running an older version and try again... There may be some 'issues' (particularly with animations from pre XP/2002)
but at least you'll have a starting point. Once you have found a computer that will open the files this should help:
Batch re-save presentations; update older presentations to newer PowerPoint version http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00740.htm
I advise you to update all the files when you find the equipment to do so :-)
Lucy Lucy Thomson
PowerPoint MVP
an easier tomorrow
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