Red X on slide thumbnails in Master View

I'm not sure if this is a fix or a fluke, but this is what I found that worked:

1. Right-click a thumbnail that has a red X
2. Hover on Layout
3. You may see that some of your layouts have red X's, if so... (and try the next 2 steps even if they don't)
4. Note the type of layout of the current slide (title and content, title only, etc.)
5. Scroll through the list of available layouts and select a similar layout without an X

In my case, this fixed all the thumbnails that used the same layout.  I then repeated the steps for the other slide layouts until all the red X's were gone.  I saved my file and reopened it.  The fix stuck. 

From what I've read of the symptoms, it appears that the file loses the layout info and needs to have the layout reapplied from a similar/identical layout.

If this works for you, please click "Helpful" below so that we know whether it's a fix or a fluke.

I am having the same issue on Office 2013, but the cross is blue in colour. Say, I have compiled 3 images (1,2,3) in one slide for presentation, I could see all the images in the slide but the thumbnail on side shows big blue cross. When I placing any 2 images together in one slide, thumbnail shows cross; but each image in individual slide works perfect. First the slides were prepared in office 2010 (work place) and were working great, but when I trying to open the presentation in office 2013 (laptop), it is showing this issue. please help.

I have been trying to use PPT 2013 for about a year - cannot trust that it won't destroy a presentation with red Xs while preparing or presenting.  I actually carry another laptop with PPT 2010 loaded on it for group sessions - am amazed that this error persists after so many months.

It is now January of 2015 and this problem is still persisting.  I am teaching a class in PP 2013 and thankfully still have 2010 on my home computer, as an average of 50 to 60% of the files I receive cannot be viewed in PP2013 due to big red X's on the screen.  If I open the file in 2010 - no problem.  Has a fix to this STILL not been found by Microsoft?

Hi,

Know this discussion thread is a year old - but I'm still stuck with the same problem... is there any fix to this?

As a training provider, more of our corporate clients are upgrading to 2013 version, and using powerpoint we are getting a lot of negative feedback on these issues. Here too in our training room, our machines frequently have this issue (we have just got new laptops and still the problem persists)

Of course, I like others have issues with the new interface: e.g. bringing up the 'FORMAT SHAPE' box now means i have to SCROLL up and down whereas in previous versions its just all in one neat box. The labels for some of the categories are gone making it difficult for many of our average employee participants to navigate the version. 2010 was alot better with navigation and stability.

Any quick fixes to the red X problem - as participants can't save their work once they see this message.

Regards and thanks for any help.

Mark

Well, we are more then one year later and this Problem still exists. I have an Installation of MS Office 2013 and MS Office 2010. Both are up to date with all updates.

I have a lot of PPTX that show a red x on every slide in PPT 2013. If I open them in PPT 2010 - no Problem. I deinstalled Office 2013 and continue to work with 2010.