What to do If I cannot open PowerPoint Files

Last updated on May 27th, 2023

If you frequently receive PowerPoint files through email, communication apps like Slack or Skype, or download presentations from various online platforms in formats such as PPT or PPS, you might occasionally encounter difficulties in opening them. This common issue often manifests when a user attempts to access such attachments, only to be met with an error message indicating that the associated program required to open the file is missing. This article aims to guide you on what steps to take if you find yourself unable to open PowerPoint files received via email.

What to do if I cannot open PowerPoint file

This type of message leaves you totally confused with no clear solution in hand and it is then the questions like what to do if I cannot open PowerPoint files in email? Well, the answer to this query is quite simple and you can easily open your presentations by following a few easy steps.

Open with

Let’s first discuss about what might be the reason behind such a message and why you can’t open PowerPoint files in some situations:

  • Since the files you received were created to open in PowerPoint so you either need MS PowerPoint or the PowerPoint Viewer installed on your system. But if you already have this facility and are encountering problems with opening files in a forwarded email or after saving it on your disk, then a missing file extension may be the cause for it.
  • The second reason can be this that you were opening the .EML file instead of an actual PowerPoint file.

Now let’s discuss these in a broader way with suitable solutions:

  • No File Extension: May be the file extension got lost during the forwarding of the mail.  Now to check whether it actually happened or not, download the mail and save it on the desktop. Make sure that the extension is enabled.  Once you are assured about this go to Windows Explorer to reach at the Folder options via Tools menu.  Now click the View tab from the Window and go to Options and un-check the Hide extension option for your file and press OK.  If you are using Windows 7, go to Windows Explorer and click Organize -> Folder and Search Options -> View (tab). After this, close  the Windows Explorer and return to desktop to check whether your saved file has the extension or not. If there is no extension then add it by double-clicking on the file and adding the extension. Alternatively, right-click the file and select Rename (to add the file extension, e.g PPT).
File Extension
  • The File Extension Exists But The File is Not Opening: If your presentation did not open correctly even after adding an extension this means that you have received an EML file in your attachment.  Sometimes it becomes difficult for the Outlook Express to open such files if the file association for these files has not been correctly set.  But you can easily overcome this issue by closing the Outlook Express and going to the Start menu for the Run option or hit Windows+R from your keyboard. After this type msimn/Reg and click OK.  By doing this your Express files will get re-registered silently. Once it is done you can start the Outlook Express normally to check whether the issue is resolved or not.

In conclusion, challenges with opening PowerPoint files from your email, or via apps like Google Chat, Slack and Skype, can be quite common. However, understanding the underlying reasons, such as the need for an associated program to open these files, is key to overcoming this issue. We hope this article has provided useful guidance and practical steps to help you effectively handle such scenarios. Remember, while technology can sometimes be tricky, solutions are often just a few clicks away. Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t let technical hitches deter you from leveraging the immense potential of digital tools like PowerPoint.

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