File Formats and Export Options in PowerPoint Part 2

PowerPoint offers a variety of functions for saving presentations in different file formats.

In addition to the export options previously discussed in part one of this blog series, presentations designed in earlier PowerPoint versions can be saved using the Save As feature. Slides can also be stored as individual images or text documents. In this article, we will explore the different PowerPoint file types available and how to utilize them effectively.

Supported File Formats in PowerPoint

Accessing Save As

To save your presentation in a different format, follow these steps:

1. Click File.
2. Click on Save As.
3. From the drop-down menu of file types, select the desired format and click Save.

PowerPoint File Types

• PPTX: The standard format for PowerPoint presentations from versions 2007 and later. This format is recommended for most purposes as it includes all embedded content.

• PPTM: If your presentation contains macros, it will be saved as a .pptm file. This format operates like PPTX but supports macro functionality.

• PPT: The default format for PowerPoint versions earlier than 2007. While compatible with older versions, it has certain limitations and is not fully functional with later versions.

• POTX, POT, POTM: These formats are used to save presentation templates. POTX is the standard for PowerPoint 2007 and later, while POT is for older versions, and POTM is specifically for macro-enabled templates.

• PPAM, PPA: Designed to store PowerPoint add-ins, which enhance PowerPoint’s capabilities by adding additional commands and features.

• THMX: This format stores PowerPoint themes that consist of preset color schemes, fonts, and design effects. These themes can be saved separately from presentation content and applied to other presentations.

• PPSX, PPSM, PPS: These formats save a presentation as a slide show. The slide show opens in full-screen mode, although the files can also be edited in PowerPoint. PPSX is for PowerPoint 2007 and later, PPSM for macro-enabled presentations, and PPS for versions before 2007.

Non-PowerPoint File Types

• PDF, XPS: Both formats maintain document design consistency and are particularly useful for distributing presentations, ensuring that all formatting remains intact.

• WMV: Windows Media Video is compatible with numerous devices and software applications. When saving a presentation as a video, transition and animation durations are preset. Always keep the original PowerPoint file for easier future modifications.

• MOV, MP4: MOV is used primarily on Mac systems, while MP4 is a widely supported successor. Both formats automatically configure slide durations, requiring the original PowerPoint file for later editing.

• ODP: The OpenDocument presentation format is an internationally recognized alternative to PPTX, compatible with office suites like LibreOffice and OpenOffice.

• RTF: Saving in Rich Text Format retains structured text only, excluding images and animations. This secure format is widely supported by various programs.

• XML: XML files contain metadata alongside text and can be edited in PowerPoint, though some features may not be fully supported.

Saving Image File Formats

PowerPoint allows you to choose any image type when exporting slides. You can opt to export either all slides or just the current slide as an image.

• JPEG: A widely used format, particularly for web graphics, that is supported by virtually all devices.

• PNG: Developed for web use, this format supports lossless compression and is ideal for screen graphics.

• GIF: Similar to PNG in compression, but limited in color depth; it also supports short, animated sequences.

• TIF: Primarily used for prepress purposes, TIF files are larger than JPEG or PNG and are mostly utilized offline.

• BMP: While it was once popular, BMP files are becoming less common due to their limited color depth and less efficient compression.

• EMF, WMF: These vector formats are intended for portable data exchange between programs. You can choose to save either individual slides or all slides in these formats, which are generally larger than compressed formats but useful for printing presentations.

In the previous article in this series, we discussed how to utilize the export function in PowerPoint for special purposes. Stay tuned for the next article, where we will delve into older file formats and guide you on selecting the right file format for your needs.