- The difference between PPT and PPTX
- Converting Between PPT and PPTX
- Sharing and Reading the PPT and PPTX Files
- FAQs: PPT vs. PPTX : How to Open, Read and Share Your Presentation Files
Presentations have become an integral part of our professional lives. Whether you’re pitching a new idea to investors, delivering a keynote speech at a conference, or training your team on a new process, a well-crafted slideshow can make all the difference. And when it comes to creating presentations, Microsoft PowerPoint is often the go-to tool.
If you’ve been a power user of PowerPoint, you’ve come across files ending in either .ppt or .pptx.
The difference between PPT and PPTX
Microsoft PowerPoint has been a staple in offices and classrooms since the late 1980s. Originally, all presentations were saved with the .ppt file extension. This file type was default then and relied on a binary format. For example, if you made a deck in PowerPoint 97 or PowerPoint 2003, your file was automatically saved with a .ppt extension.
This worked well for a long time, but the PPT format had some drawbacks:
- Difficult for other programs to open/edit fully
- No compression, so file sizes could get very large
- Increased risk of file corruption
However, Microsoft introduced a major change when they launched Office 2007. In this version, all core Office programs shifted to the XML-based file formats, which added an “X” to the extension of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. Thus, the presentation files were saved in pptx format.
PPTX files are built on the Open XML format. This means things like images, text, and embedded media are stored in a more organized and accessible way. The file size is also quite small. Additionally, the XML format is less likely to become unreadable as technology advances. It’s also more open so other software tools can interpret or convert it more easily.
Converting Between PPT and PPTX
Now, you understand the key differences between PPT and PPTX. But what if you have an old PPT presentation to which you need to edit? Or someone may send you a PPTX that you need to open in an earlier version of PowerPoint. No problem, It’s easy to convert in either direction.
To convert a PPT to PPTX:
- Open the PPT file in PowerPoint 2007 or later
- Click File > Save As
- In the save dialog, select “PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx)” as the file type
- Name your new file and click Save
You now have a PPTX version of your presentation.
To convert PPTX back to PPT for earlier PowerPoint versions:
- Open the PPTX in PowerPoint
- Click File > Save As
- Choose “PowerPoint 97-2003 Presentation (.ppt)” from the file type dropdown
- Give it a name and save
Remember that some newer features/formatting may not translate perfectly going from PPTX back to PPT, so check the converted file carefully.
Sharing and Reading the PPT and PPTX Files
The obvious go-to is PowerPoint. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription or a standalone version of PowerPoint, you can open and edit PPT and PPTX files without any problem. Even older versions of PowerPoint, with the compatibility pack, can open PPTX files.
If you do not have PowerPoint or do not want to get into the hassle of downloading different apps on your devices, Tiiny Host will be your go-to website. With Tiiny Host, once you host your presentation online, you can access it through any device with just a link. No downloads are necessary, and no logins are required.
You’re not limited to PowerPoint files. If you want to share PDFs, ZIP files, HTML, or images, you can also host them using Tiiny Host. Checkout the examples to know what type of files you can host and share using Tiiny Host.
Recommended Reading: How to Create a Digital Presentation that Stands Out
Hosting Your Presentation File:
Hosting your file is as quick as a snap on Tiiny host. You can host and share your presentation files for free within a few seconds; just follow these steps:
- Visit Tiiny.host
- Upload your presentation file or drag and drop
- You have the option to fill in the link name or a personalized sub-domain, or you can leave it blank
- Log in or sign up and hit publish!
That’s it, literally. Your file is now ready to be shared in the world.
With tiiny host, you can also connect to your domain, track analytics, and protect your presentation files with a password when you upgrade to a premium plan.
Sharing or Reading Your Files:
You can share your files as email attachments, but then you may deal with size limits and compatibility issues for the receiver of the file. Instead, you can share the link of the file you hosted on Tiiny host through email. Additionally, you can share the link through any channel.
You can also embed your presentation as a QR code on landing page or social media posts which is also possible to generate directly through Tiiny host. With the link generated, you or anyone you shared the link with can open the presentation file. The reader comes with inbuilt features of bookmarking, flipping pages, zooming in and out and much more.
FAQs: PPT vs. PPTX : How to Open, Read and Share Your Presentation Files
Does Converting from PPT to PPTX Reduce Quality?
Converting from PPT to PPTX shouldn’t affect the quality of your slides, images, or text. However, certain elements like older or unsupported fonts, embedded media, and advanced animations can occasionally misbehave during the conversion process. If you notice any discrepancies, you can try saving a copy in the original format first and then re-opening or re-saving in the target format. Always double-check critical animations, transitions, and layout elements after converting.
I Have a Very Old PPT File, Is It Still Usable in Modern PowerPoint?
Most likely, yes. Modern versions of PowerPoint can usually open old PPT files without a hitch. You might encounter minor compatibility warnings if the file is extremely old or uses features no longer supported. You can always host it on Tiiny and share it with a link, so you do not have to deal with compatibility issues.
Is It Possible to Password-Protect a Presentation Uploaded to Tiiny Host?
Yes, Tiiny Host allows you to password-protect any file you host if you are upgraded to one of the premium plans.