A corrupt file can turn a perfect PowerPoint presentation into total failure. There are several ways to try to repair a corrupt file so that you can use it again; for example, move the file to a new location, extract the presentation slides for reuse in a new one, or start PowerPoint in safe mode. If you manage to recover some or all of the slides in the corrupt file, you can reuse them to create a new presentation.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Move the Presentation File to Another Directory
Step 1. Navigate to the folder that contains the corrupt file
To do this, you can use the "File Explorer" or "Windows Explorer" application (depending on the version of Windows you are using).
Step 2. Connect a USB stick or other external memory drive to your computer
The principle behind this recovery procedure is to move the file from a possibly malfunctioning storage device to a fully functional drive. If your presentation is already stored on a USB device, you can try moving it to your computer's hard drive. Conversely, if the presentation is stored on your computer's hard drive, you will need to copy it to a USB stick.
Step 3. Create or access a folder on the second storage device
You can use any path, the important thing is to copy the file from the first device to the second.
Step 4. Drag the corrupt presentation file from the original folder to the directory on the new storage drive
This will make a copy of the presentation under consideration inside the new device.
If the copy process fails, it means that the file itself or the storage device is corrupt
Step 5. Open the copy of the presentation
At the end of the data transfer process try running the presentation directly from the new memory drive. If the path where it was originally saved was corrupt, you should now be able to open the file without any problems.
Step 6. Check the first memory drive for errors
If after the copy process the file opens without any problems, run a disk or drive check to try to fix any errors.
- Windows systems: Open a "Computer" or "This PC" window, then select the storage drive icon to control with the right mouse button. Choose the "Properties" option from the context menu that appeared, access the "Tools" tab of the "Properties" window and press the "Check" button located inside the "Error checking" box. Select both check buttons in the pop-up window that appeared and press the "Start" button.
- Mac: Start the "Disk Utility" program from the "Utilities" folder. Select the memory unit to check using the appropriate menu on the left of the window, access the "S. O. S." and press the "Check Disk" button. Wait for the scan to complete and if any errors are found, repair them.
Method 2 of 5: Import the Slides into a New Presentation
Step 1. Launch the PowerPoint program
One of the simplest ways to troubleshoot a damaged presentation is to try to import the slides into a new blank presentation. This way you may be able to retrieve part or all of the presentation. The first step is to start the PowerPoint program, but without opening the problematic presentation file.
Step 2. Create a new blank presentation
When prompted to select the type of file you want to upload or create, choose the option for a new blank presentation.
Step 3. Press the "New Slides ▼" button located within the "Home" tab of the ribbon
It is located on the left side of the "Home" tab. Make sure you press the "▼" part of the button to access its drop-down menu.
Step 4. Choose the "Reuse Slides" option
This will bring up a toolbar on the right side of the program window.
Step 5. Press the "Browse ▼" button, then choose the "File
.. . A system dialog will be displayed.
Step 6. Select the file related to the damaged PowerPoint presentation
Use the dialog that appears to navigate to the folder where the presentation is stored, then select the relevant file. At this point, simply press the "Open" button to continue.
If PowerPoint can import the slides contained in the original presentation, you'll see them appear in the preview pane
Step 7. Select with the right mouse button one of the slides present in the "Reuse slides" box, then choose the "Insert all" option from the context menu that appeared
All slides in the original presentation will be automatically imported into the new one.
Step 8. Check the new slides
If the program was able to extract the slides from the original presentation and import them correctly into the new one, you will be able to run the new presentation and view the sequence of all the slides. Remember that PowerPoint may not have been able to recover all slides, as some may have been lost due to the corrupt file.
Step 9. If your slides appear in a different style after importing, try importing the "Slide Master" of the original presentation
This problem could be solved by loading the original presentation as a template:
- Go to the "File" menu or press the "Office" button, then choose the "Save As" option. For safety, create a backup copy of the new presentation, in order to protect the new slides from possible damage.
- Go to the "Structure" tab, press the "More" button in the "Themes" group, then choose the "Browse themes" option.
- Select the file related to the damaged presentation, then press the "OK" button. In this way the original "Slide Master" will be applied to the new presentation thus restoring the theme used.
- If the import process gets stuck, use the backup copy of the presentation to retrieve the slides.
Step 10. Save the new presentation
After verifying that all the recovered slides have been imported successfully, you can save the new presentation file. At this point you should be able to run it without any problems.
To make sure the new file doesn't get corrupted again, save it in a different folder than the original presentation is in
Method 3 of 5: Use the PowerPoint Viewer (Windows Systems)
Step 1. Download the PowerPoint Viewer installation file
It is a small free program distributed directly by Microsoft that can view the content of files created with PowerPoint. Using this tool you may be able to view the damaged presentation. Unfortunately the PowerPoint Viewer is not available on Mac.
You can download the PowerPoint Viewer installation file from the following URL: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=13. Select the language you prefer and press the "Download" button
Step 2. At the end of the download select the installation file with a double click of the mouse
This will start the program installation wizard.
Step 3. Follow the instructions that will be given to you to proceed with the installation of the PowerPoint Viewer on your computer
You can use the default configuration settings and finish the installation process without worry.
Step 4. After the installation is complete, launch the PowerPoint Viewer
You will find the relevant icon in the menu or on the "Start" screen.
Step 5. Locate the damaged presentation file and open it with the new program
If the presentation opens correctly using the PowerPoint Viewer, it means that the problem may lie with the PowerPoint installation and not with the presentation file. If that's the case, just reinstall PowerPoint on your computer to fix the problem.
See this article for more details on how to download and install PowerPoint
Method 4 of 5: Start PowerPoint in Safe Mode (Windows Systems)
Step 1. Access the menu or "Start" screen
Starting PowerPoint in Safe Mode some features of the program are disabled, which could ensure the presentation runs smoothly.
Step 2. Type the command
powerpnt / safe and press the button Enter. This will start PowerPoint, which will automatically create a new blank presentation.
Step 3. Check that the program is indeed in safe mode
Look at the top of the PowerPoint window. You should see "(Safe Mode)" at the end of the title.
Step 4. Try opening the corrupt file
To do this, go to the "File" menu or tab and choose the "Open" option. Locate and select the file under consideration to find out if it opens properly in safe mode.
If the presentation opens successfully in safe mode, but not when PowerPoint runs in normal mode, then the problem lies with installing the program; to fix it you will simply have to reinstall it. See this article for more details on how to download and install PowerPoint
Method 5 of 5: Use a Web Service
Step 1. Go to a website that offers PowerPoint file repair and fix service
There are many sites on the web that offer such services, but avoid using them if the PowerPoint file contains sensitive information or data, as you are essentially sending the file to complete strangers. Here is a small list of the files most used by users:
- online.officerecovery.com/powerpoint/
- onlinefilerepair.com/repair
Step 2. Upload the presentation file to the chosen site
Press the "Choose File" button, then locate and select the presentation file to process. This way you can upload it to the servers of the website you have selected.
Step 3. Wait for the file recovery process to complete
The time required depends on the number of users currently using the service, but the wait should not normally exceed a few minutes.
Step 4. Open the email containing the restored file
When the recovery process is complete, you will receive an email with the link inside to download the file containing the recovered slides. Depending on the structure of the service, the download link may be provided directly on the site.
Step 5. Check the slides you managed to recover
Again, the website you turned to may not have been able to fully recover the presentation, but you will receive all the slides that could be restored.
