Large PowerPoint Mac Files Corrupted - Save but Cannot Open

Anonymous
2018-12-08T00:17:45+00:00

Am trying to create PowerPoint file containing videos and loaded with hi-res images. For example, I start with an already large pptx file (4 GB) that edits, saves and opens normally. Then I add a slide containing a large (1.5 GB) video. The file then seems to save normally. But attempts to re-open get the following message:

When I click 'Repair' I get the spinning rainbow, and then....

This happens every time.... There is no escape.

If I create a pptx file with just the video on a single slide, the file saves and opens normally.

So, there seems to be some size threshold above which PowerPoint goes south and cannot properly save and reopen a file.

I am running PowerPoint for Mac 16.20 on an iMac running OS X Mojave 10.14.1.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Microsoft 365 Insider | PowerPoint | MacOS
Microsoft 365 Insider | PowerPoint | MacOS

A family of Microsoft presentation graphics products that offer tools for creating presentations and adding graphic effects like multimedia objects and special effects with text.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
John Korchok 235.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2018-12-08T01:13:51+00:00

Since 16.20 is pre-release, you may experience bugs that wouldn't exist in the final version. In addition, there are quirks introduced by Mojave that haven't been patched yet, since it's a new OS version.

I'd try this with a variety of videos before concluding that PowerPoint can't handle it. The error message you see is most likely related to an XML syntax error, possibly only incidentally related to the videos or their size. That explains your ability to create a 1 slide deck with the video that works correctly.

As a workaround to get you through your current task, you can try linking the video instead of embedding it:

  1. Place the video in the same folder as the presentation.
  2. Choose Insert>Movie>Video from File... from the menu at the top of your screen or Insert>Video>Movie from File... on the Ribbon.
  3. Click on the Options button.
  4. Check Link to File, then click on Insert.

If you have to send out the deck, specify that the video must remain in the same folder as the presentation.

Was this answer helpful?

2 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

2 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2018-12-08T19:47:56+00:00

    Thanks for the response, John.

    I tried 'linking' instead of embedding, and that does seem to work. So, I'll consider this issue resolved as far as this particular (large) presentation is concerned.

    Still puzzled why embedding works for smaller overall file size, but fails with the larger file size....

    I'll check and see what happens when MS makes a full release of 16.20. And OBTW I did update OS X to 14.2.

    Thanks

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-12-08T04:05:00+00:00

    Apple released 14.2 yesterday.

    __________

    Disclaimer:

    The questions, discussions, opinions, replies & answers I create, are solely mine and mine alone and do not reflect upon my position as a Volunteer Moderator.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments