Opening old Power Point files

Anonymous
2010-02-04T02:28:59+00:00

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?

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Anonymous
2010-02-04T05:27:31+00:00

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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  1. Anonymous
    2013-03-05T17:59:19+00:00

    But to your current problem with the older files ... this does come up from time to time, usually in cases like yours where a lot of files are involved.  If someone were to set up a service converting old files to newer formats, would it be something you might consider using? 

     

    This is exactly what I'm looking for. Does something like this exist? If skydrive.live.com could open and convert this old files, that would be perfect.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-09-12T04:21:45+00:00

    I have a similar problem as the original poster and I see a bigger problem. While the so called MVP's who are answering may be well-intentioned and answering the questions to the best of their ability, why isn't a Microsoft employee here to step in cases where the lay users (however experienced they may be) no longer can help. MS should be able to categorically state their position. The folks answering here are in my opinion no different from someone on any other public forum. There is no point trying to abuse them. However, it is also true that they have no official standing.

    Finally, it is really silly to argue that archaic code is required to read a document that is in some format. That responder likely confuses the document format with the program that generates or reads it. They are not the same. It should be trivial for MS to create a conversion tool, and that is their biggest lacuna.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-07-26T09:49:42+00:00

    When we installed Office 97 years and years ago, it came with a notice that it's using a new file format. And when we installed 2007 some years ago, it again came with the notice that it's using a new file format. Both then-new formats brought more comfort and more formatting choices. And during the months following the transitions, I converted all important presentations. Doing this while the then-current version still understood the file format of it's predecessor. It took nearly no additional effort and was part of daily routine.

    What you now do is to dig out 15+ years old files which you obviously never used in between and never cared to use. And now you are wondering that you cannot use them any more? And accuse those helpful persons here in the forum and a long-retired Microsoft CEO for making changes?

    Try to buy a Calibri golf-ball for an old typewriter at IBM ... I don't think you'll have any luck. Technologies develop and sometimes become out-dated.

    Best,

    Ute

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-07-26T08:36:38+00:00

    Yep, and the link to Zamzar is in the link page I posted earlier plus a quick tutorial

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