Can't open PPT files or insert pictures.

MUNIR 0 Reputation points
2026-06-05T05:41:47.89+00:00

Hello, I really need help. Suddenly, I can't open several PPT files on my Mac. The message on the screen reads:

"Additional permissions are required to access these following files:"

I'm also currently unable to perform some operations on my PPT files, such as inserting pictures.

I have no storage issues, no Microsoft Office license, and no restrictions on these documents. My primary job is qualitative research.

The files I'm trying to open are crucial to my work, and I really need them. Can anyone help me?

Thank you

Microsoft 365 and Office | PowerPoint | For education | MacOS
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  1. Anonymous
    2026-06-05T06:16:29.2566667+00:00

    Hi MUNIR

    Based on your description, I understand that PowerPoint on your Mac is displaying an "Additional permissions are required to access these following files:" message when opening certain presentation files, and you are also unable to insert pictures into your presentations. 

    You can try the following steps to see if they help resolve the issue: 

    1. Close PowerPoint. 
    2. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security. 
    3. Check Full Disk Access and make sure Microsoft PowerPoint is enabled. If it is not listed, try adding it. 
    4. You can also review the Files and Folders section to see whether PowerPoint has been granted access to your files and folders. 
    5. Reopen PowerPoint and test again.

    For your reference: Additional permissions are required to access the following files (Word for Mac) - Microsoft Q&A

    If the issue still persists, please provide the following information: 

    • Which version of macOS are you using? 
    • Which version of PowerPoint are you using? 
    • Are the affected PowerPoint files stored locally on your Mac, in OneDrive, or on an external drive? 

    Please understand that our initial reply may not always immediately resolve the issue. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.     

    I look forward to your update.     

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-06-05T05:42:01.9366667+00:00

    The message about “Additional permissions are required to access the following files” on a Mac is caused by macOS sandbox security when PowerPoint tries to access linked files (such as images or other presentations) that are stored outside PowerPoint’s allowed folders. This can also block operations like inserting pictures if those pictures are in locations PowerPoint is not yet allowed to access.

    To work around this on Mac:

    1. Move linked or source files to OneDrive
      • Store the files that PowerPoint needs to access (presentations, images, other linked documents) in OneDrive.
      • Open them from OneDrive in PowerPoint for Mac.
      • PowerPoint for macOS can access files stored in OneDrive without triggering the additional-permissions prompt.
    2. Use the PowerPoint sandbox folder
      • Place the files that PowerPoint is linking to (for example, images or other presentations) inside the PowerPoint sandbox folder:
        • In Finder, press Command + Shift + G.
        • Paste this path and press Enter: ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Powerpoint/Data/Documents/
        • Copy or move the files that are being linked (or that are causing the prompt) into this folder.
      • Recreate the links or reinsert the pictures from this sandbox location so PowerPoint no longer needs extra permissions.
    3. Reduce external links if possible
      • If neither OneDrive nor the sandbox approach is convenient, combine linked presentations into a single file and use PowerPoint’s Zoom feature to navigate within that file instead of linking to separate files. This avoids repeated permission prompts for external files.

    Once the files are either in OneDrive or inside the PowerPoint sandbox folder, opening the presentations and inserting pictures from those locations should work without the “Additional permissions” dialog.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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