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Learn about various file types that can open and work in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows. This will help you work with more than just the default PowerPoint file formats.
Author: Geetesh Bajaj
Product/Version: PowerPoint 2016 for Windows
OS: Windows 7 and higher
Programs such as PowerPoint are a very significant part of our workflows not just because of their vast abilities, but also because they can understand content from so many file formats. These include file types that PowerPoint can save and open. We already explored file types that PowerPoint 2016 can save to, but when you go and look at the file types that PowerPoint 2016 can open, you'll find that the list of file types is not exactly the same. There are several omissions and additions compared to that list. When you access the Open dialog box in PowerPoint 2016, you can choose the file type you want to open, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Open file types
Have you ever wondered what all those file types are? Should you even be concerned about them at all? We suggest you take a look for yourself:
Essentially any file you throw at PowerPoint, just in case you want to try your luck!
Since all these files are covered in later categories, we don't cover them here, please see subsequent category listings.
These are default PowerPoint file formats:
This file type is the default open option in PowerPoint 2007 and later. It is based on XML and can be distinctly identified as different from the older file formats for PowerPoint because it has four letters rather than three, for example PPTX rather than the older PPT format.
This file type was the default format for presentations created in PowerPoint versions 2003 and earlier. Most of the time, this is known as the PowerPoint 97 to 2003 format (or the PowerPoint 97 to 2004 format if you include Mac versions of PowerPoint).
This is identical to the PPTX file format other than the fact that file type creates presentations with macros enabled.
This file type comprises presentations that have been saved as a slide show. In all respects this is the same as a PPTX file, but when double-clicked, this opens in Slide Show view rather than Normal view. If you use the Open dialog, it opens in Normal view. See our PPT vs. PPS (or PPTX vs. PPSX) article.
This file type comprises presentations that have been saved as a slide show in PowerPoint 97 to 2003, in all respects this is the same as a PPT file, but when double-clicked, this opens in Slide Show view rather than Normal view. If you use the Open dialog, it opens in Normal view. See our PPT vs. PPS (or PPTX vs. PPSX) article.
This file type comprises presentations that have been saved as a slide show with macros enabled, and works in the same way as PPSX files.
This signifies XML (PowerPoint XML Presentation) presentations saved in an XML format for use in an XML information storage system.
Typically these files open as editable templates when you use the Open dialog box. On the other hand, if you double click these files, they open as new presentations based on the template:
This file type is a template that you can use as a starter for future presentations. This file format works with PowerPoint 2007 and subsequent versions of PowerPoint.
This file type is a template in PowerPoint 97 to 2003. You can still open and use these in newer versions of PowerPoint.
This file type is a template in the same way as POTX files, but with macros enabled.
These are THMX (Office Theme) files, choosing this option creates a new presentation based on the chosen Office Theme.
These are all outline formats that PowerPoint can import to create slides. All text in an outline is imported as text placeholders, to learn about text placeholders, refer to our Text Boxes vs. Text Placeholders tutorial. All these outlines can also be imported into your existing PowerPoint presentations using the techniques explained in our Import Outlines in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows tutorial.
Text files, typically created by Notepad in Microsoft Windows (or TextEditin Mac OS X)
(Outline/RTF), Rich Text Format files
Word 97 to 2003 files
Corel WordPerfect files
Corel WordPerfect files
Word 2007 and later versions create these files
Same as DOCX above, but includes macros
This file type opens presentations as an add-in that includes custom commands or VBA code. Typically used in PowerPoint 2007 or later versions.
This opens presentations as an add-in that you can open in PowerPoint 97 to 2003. Typically used in PowerPoint 2003 or earlier versions.
This opens ODP (Open Document Presentation) files, such as those created by Google Docs or OpenOffice.
See Also:
File Types, File Menu, and Backstage View: File Types That Can be Opened in PowerPoint (Index Page)
File Types That Can be Opened in PowerPoint 365 for WindowsYou May Also Like: Selling with PowerPoint: Taking Control of That Critical First Meeting | Pyramid PowerPoint Templates
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