Convert PowerPoint to Keynote
7 minutes read
You don’t have to be stuck in a single presentation format—learn to convert PowerPoint to Keynote in this tutorial and video.
People are passionate about their favorite apps, and that includes the tough choice between top presentation tools, Apple Keynote and Microsoft PowerPoint. To bridge the gap, it helps to learn how to convert PowerPoint to Keynote.
I often find myself switching back and forth between the two apps, and it’s clear why users have strong preferences. Keynote boasts an intuitive interface, while PowerPoint excels with its seamless integration with Excel, a key feature for many power users.
You might need to convert PowerPoint presentations to Keynote to ensure compatibility with everyone. Fortunately, converting presentation files is easier than you might think, allowing you to avoid leaving anyone out when sharing a presentation. Let’s learn how to do that together.
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Whether you’re creating PowerPoint or Keynote presentations, you’ll want our free eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations. Inside, you’ll discover essential presentation techniques that will help you deliver a powerful and impactful presentation.
Now, let’s dive into how to convert PowerPoint to Keynote seamlessly.
How to Convert PowerPoint (PPTX) to Mac Keynote Presentations (Video)
Would you like a visual walkthrough of opening a PowerPoint presentation in Keynote? Watch the screencast below to learn how to convert a PowerPoint file into a Keynote presentation.
For more detailed instructions, keep reading below. We’ll also cover how to correct any incompatibilities during the conversion process.
Step-by-Step Guide to Convert PowerPoint to Keynote
If you’re curious about whether Keynote can open PowerPoint presentations, this section provides the answers.
In this example, we’ll convert a PowerPoint presentation and open it in Apple’s Keynote app. Throughout this tutorial, I’ll be using a PowerPoint presentation that’s pre-built from the Envato Elements library. Envato Elements is an all-you-can-download service for creatives, offering:
- Presentation templates
- Stock photos
- And much more
Explore Presentation Templates{.call-to-action-btn .call-to-action-btn-primary}
When time is of the essence and you need a polished presentation, grabbing a template from Envato Elements can be a lifesaver. Start with a presentation template, add your details, and voila! You’ve created a presentation in much less time than starting from scratch. Learn more about using Keynote presentation templates.
In this tutorial, I’ll utilize the Paradox PowerPoint template from Envato Elements. Paradox is a visually appealing presentation template available only in PowerPoint format. Since we can convert PowerPoint presentations to Keynote, we’ll explore how to make it cross-compatible in this tutorial.
1. Open a PowerPoint Presentation in Keynote
Opening a PowerPoint presentation in Keynote is easier than you might expect. Apple recognizes their role as a secondary player in the presentation app market and has streamlined this process.
To get started, open PowerPoint on your Mac and browse to the PPTX or PPT file. Click on Open to launch it in Keynote.
Once opened, you may encounter some warnings about elements that didn’t convert properly to Keynote, but don’t let that concern you right away.
I’ve consistently found that this conversion process works remarkably well. For instance, embedded audio, images, and videos typically transfer perfectly. Unless the files are in unusual formats, the conversion usually handles about 90% of the work. After conversion, save the updated file as a .keynote file.
While Keynote manages the majority of the conversion, additional adjustments may be necessary to prepare your presentation for use. Continue reading to ensure everything is set up correctly.
2. Review the Warnings
Upon opening a PowerPoint presentation in Keynote, you may notice warnings indicating that the “PowerPoint presentation may look different.” Keynote flags potential issues that may have occurred during conversion.
Let’s look at how to address and modify the presentation to ensure a smooth conversion between the two platforms.
3. Replace Fonts
The need to replace fonts is common when converting PowerPoint presentations to Keynote. This issue arises if you don’t have the necessary fonts installed on your Mac.
When downloading presentation templates from Elements, the authors often use free fonts available online. Therefore, it’s important to check the documentation and download any missing fonts.
To replace a font, click the Replace Fonts… button in the pop-up window. You can then select replacements from a drop-down menu. If you’re aware of a similar typeface, you can choose it from the options to replace all instances in your Keynote presentation.
If the original fonts are not available, you may need to make substitutions using alternatives found in the Replace Fonts menu.
4. Check Charts and Graphs
PowerPoint comes equipped with advanced charting features, thanks to its integration with applications like Excel. While Keynote also offers charting capabilities, the formats don’t always translate seamlessly.
When transferring charts to Keynote, you may find that they don’t convert smoothly. This is a common issue that can occur during the conversion process.
In many cases, it may be necessary to recreate charts in Keynote. Both platforms implement different charting methods, making perfect translation challenging.
5. General Review and Adjust
After converting my PowerPoint presentation, I noticed that several objects and text boxes needed minor repositioning.
Ensuring that the presentation remains “true to form” is crucial when converting files between formats. This means that your presentation should appear as expected. Keep an eye out for other issues that may not be flagged in the initial warning pop-up.
Make it a practice to review each slide thoroughly before presenting to an audience, ensuring everything looks polished and functions correctly.
Alternative Option: Use PowerPoint Online
Throughout this tutorial, we focused on converting presentations from PowerPoint to Keynote. This process accommodates users without access to Microsoft PowerPoint.
However, if you prefer not to convert an existing presentation, you can also enable collaboration by using free alternatives.
One great option is PowerPoint Online. With a Microsoft account, you can access Office365.com, upload your PPTX or PPT file, and invite others to edit the presentation online. As long as they have a web browser, they can collaborate on the presentation.
For a more detailed guide on using PowerPoint Online, check out this tutorial:
This approach doesn’t technically convert the presentation but allows you to invite others to collaborate if direct conversion isn’t working for you.
5 Trending PowerPoint Templates for Keynote Presentations - For 2023
Now that you’ve learned how to open PPTX files on Mac, you can quickly use your favorite Microsoft PowerPoint templates with Apple Keynote! This is an excellent way to unleash your creativity.
Let’s explore five of the best premium PPT templates from Envato Elements that you can edit in Keynote. These templates will help you make a lasting impression when presenting in 2023!
1. Athetic - Creative PowerPoint Presentation
Searching for a creative PPT deck that works seamlessly in Keynote? Athetic is your answer. New for 2023, this template includes 40 slides, master layouts, and easy bulk edits for a consistent style.
2. Jisan - Business PowerPoint Template
Jisan is an elegant business PowerPoint template for 2023 that features a trio of color themes—pink, green, and blue. Choose between standard and widescreen layouts to best fit your display requirements.
3. Bolo PowerPoint Template
With its fun and colorful layouts, Bolo adds a quirky style to your presentation. This flexible template is easy to adapt to any topic and includes hundreds of custom icons for stylish idea illustration.
4. Geative - Creative PowerPoint Presentation
With 40 slides, Geative serves as a modern, creative slideshow template for 2023. The drag-and-drop placeholders make it quick to add photos and videos, while resizable graphics allow for easy customization.
5. Minimo PowerPoint Template
Minimo offers clean, modern styling throughout the deck. Choose from five color themes, and benefit from 30 slides, including gallery and portfolio options to showcase your work. Don’t forget to build out the custom infographics too!