Microsoft PowerPoint's legacy binary presentation format (97-2003)
PPT is the legacy binary file format used by Microsoft PowerPoint for presentations created in PowerPoint 97 through PowerPoint 2003. Before being replaced by the PPTX format in PowerPoint 2007, PPT was the standard format for presentations and remains important for compatibility with older systems.
The format uses a proprietary compound binary file structure to store slides, text, graphics, animations, and other presentation elements. Unlike the XML-based PPTX that succeeded it, PPT is a monolithic binary format, which made it more challenging to recover from corruption and more difficult for third-party applications to fully support.
Despite being officially superseded by PPTX, PPT files are still commonly encountered in business and educational environments, particularly in organizations with legacy systems or established processes built around this format. Modern versions of PowerPoint maintain backward compatibility, allowing users to open, edit, and save in PPT format when needed.
PPT files use Microsoft's Compound File Binary Format (a structured storage system similar to a file system within a file). The format stores slides, text, images, charts, animations, and various presentation elements in a complex binary structure. This monolithic approach was efficient for the computing resources of its era but created challenges for interoperability with non-Microsoft applications and made file corruption more difficult to recover from.
PPT remains essential in environments using older versions of Microsoft Office (pre-2007) or legacy systems designed around this format. Many organizations, particularly in government, education, and regulated industries, maintain systems that were developed for PPT files and haven't been updated to support newer formats. In these environments, PPT provides crucial backward compatibility.
Historical presentations from the 1990s and early 2000s are often archived in PPT format. Organizations with large repositories of older presentations typically maintain these files in their original format. While not ideal for long-term preservation (compared to formats like PDF/A), accessing these archives often requires working with the PPT format.
When presentations need to be shared with recipients who might be using older software, saving in PPT format ensures maximum compatibility. This is particularly important in environments where the presenter doesn't know what version of presentation software the audience might be using, such as in educational settings or when working with external organizations.
Many organizations have invested heavily in developing complex PowerPoint templates, custom macros, and automated processes built specifically for the PPT format. The cost and effort of migrating these resources to newer formats can be substantial, leading many businesses to maintain PPT compatibility in their workflows.
Some regulated industries have documentation requirements that specify particular file formats. In cases where regulations or standard operating procedures explicitly call for PPT files, organizations continue to use this format to ensure compliance, even when newer alternatives are available.
PPT has varying levels of compatibility across Microsoft Office versions:
Various applications support PPT with different capabilities:
PPT files work across different platforms:
When working across different applications, feature support for PPT varies:
| Feature | PPT | PPTX | ODP | HTML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy Compatibility | |||||
| Modern Features | |||||
| File Size Efficiency | |||||
| Corruption Resistance | |||||
| Animation Support | |||||
| Open Format | |||||
| Third-Party Support |
PPT excels in compatibility with older systems but falls behind in modern features and file size efficiency. PPTX offers better compression and newer features but less legacy support. ODP provides an open-standard alternative with good features but less widespread adoption. PDF offers excellent display consistency but limited editability, while HTML provides strong web integration but inconsistent presentation rendering.
When converting from PPTX to PPT for legacy compatibility, use PowerPoint's "Save As" function and select "PowerPoint 97-2003 Presentation (*.ppt)". Be aware that newer features like SmartArt graphics, advanced animations, some 3D effects, and certain chart styles may be simplified or removed. PowerPoint will display a compatibility checker that identifies potential issues before finalizing the conversion. Review the presentation after conversion to ensure critical elements display correctly.
Converting from ODP to PPT works best using LibreOffice or OpenOffice's "Save As" function. Complex elements like custom animations, master slides with advanced formatting, and certain effects may not convert perfectly. After conversion, check slide transitions, animations, and embedded media, as these elements often require manual adjustment. Font substitution can also occur if the target system doesn't have the same fonts installed.
Converting PDF to PPT is challenging as PDFs are designed for final presentation rather than editing. While some newer versions of PowerPoint offer PDF import, results vary widely based on the PDF's structure. Text is often imported as images rather than editable text, and complex layouts typically need significant rework. For important presentations, consider recreating slides manually rather than relying on automated conversion from PDF to PPT.
Converting from PPT to PPTX is straightforward in modern versions of PowerPoint. Open the PPT file and use "Save As" to select the PPTX format. This conversion generally preserves most elements well while offering benefits like smaller file size, better recoverability, and access to newer PowerPoint features. After conversion, you may want to enhance the presentation with features only available in PPTX, such as improved graphics, additional animation types, or modern design themes.
PPT to PDF conversion works well for creating a non-editable version with consistent appearance across devices. Use PowerPoint's "Export" or "Save As" function and select PDF format. Consider whether to include hidden slides, comments, or speaker notes in the PDF. For presentations with animations, you may want to use the "Frame Slides" option to capture animation steps as separate PDF pages. Check the PDF after creation to ensure all elements converted properly.
Converting PPT to HTML for web presentation can be done using PowerPoint's "Save As Web Page" option, though the results often require tweaking for optimal web display. Third-party conversion tools often provide better results, especially for preserving animations and interactive elements. Consider whether you need simple HTML output or a more interactive web presentation. For important presentations, testing the HTML output in multiple browsers is essential to ensure consistent appearance.