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Have you encountered the “PowerPoint found a problem with the content” error when opening a .ppt or .pptx file? If restarting your device didn’t work, try these tips to help you get back to work in no time.
1Review Security Settings
If you’re using Windows, a feature known as Protected Views may have mischaracterized your content as a potential security threat, prompting the content error. If you are uncertain about the file’s risk level, firstscan the file with Microsoft Defender. If there’s nothing wrong with the file, you may temporarily turn off protected views.
There is always some degree of risk when disabling features like Protected View. Once you’ve fixed your issue, always re-enable those security settings.
Alternatively, Windows users can add the .ppt file to PowerPoint’s Trusted Locations. Again, this method should be reserved for .ppt files coming from a reliable source. FromTrust Center Settings:
If you are on a Mac operating system, you won’t find PowerPoint features like Trusted Locations or Protected View. Instead, you can manage PowerPoint’s file access in your Mac’s Privacy & Security settings:
Lastly, make sure the PowerPoint file isn’t locked. Right-click on the file in Finder and selectGet Info. Under General, review theLockedcheckbox.
2Repair the Presentation
You can also assess whether a corrupt file is causing the content error by trying to open the PowerPoint presentation from another device. If you still face the same issue, you can attempt to repair the file.
Windows users can do this using PowerPoint’s built-in tools. Just launch PowerPoint and clickOpen. There, browse to the presentation location, extend theOpenmenu, and selectOpen and repair.
If you’re on a Mac, you may potentially repair a corrupt file if you knowhow to use Disk Utility. Find this tool in yourApplications > Utilities > Disk Utility,andrun theFirst Aidfunction on the disk where your file is located. The utility will flag if any disk errors might have caused your file to become corrupt, and offer solutions to repair the file system.
When running disk repair functions, we recommend backing up your disk first.
3Restore an Older Version
If PowerPoint or Disk Utility tools weren’t able to fix the corrupted file, you can look for a previous version of the presentation. Even if you didn’t explicitly save an older version, Windows and Mac devices might have an automatic backup on file for you.
Windows' backup tool is fittingly called File History. There are manyways to access the File History feature on Windows 11. FromFile History, simply locate your file and restore a previous version.
To use File History, you need to have it enabled beforehand. Otherwise, you won’t be able to restore an older version of the PowerPoint file. However, now’s a good time to enable File History to prevent future mishaps.
Alternatively, locate the troublesome presentation directly from yourFile Explorerwindow. Right-click the file and selectShow more options>Restore previous versions. If there is an older version listed, go ahead and restore it.
The Time Machine feature can be your best friend if you’re using a Mac.Apple’s support pagerecommends first opening the folder containing the file you’d like to restore in Finder. Then you can useLaunchpadto openTime Machineandselect the presentation. If there is a backup, there will be an option toRestoreit.
A PowerPoint presentation stored in a synchronized, cloud-based folder or a temporary file system could also cause content errors. If you received the presentation by email, for instance, try to download the file again. Ensure it’s in your local Downloads folder, on your Desktop, or in a specified folder related to your project.
If you work with a synchronized folder system like Google’sDrive for Desktop, you can try copying the .ppt or .pptx file from that cloud folder to your local drive. Then, try opening the presentation again.
5Open and Export From Another Program
Sometimes, if a .ppt or .pptx file does not open in PowerPoint, it will open in another similar program. Because apps like Keynote and Google Slides are equipped to import PowerPoint files, try to open your finicky presentation in one of those programs.
Here ishow to open a PowerPoint file in Google Slides, a browser platform available on any operating system:
If you use a Mac, you can also use theKeynoteapp to open a PowerPoint file, and the steps are very similar.
6Update Microsoft 365
Lastly,Microsoft 365apps don’t always work properly if you haven’t updated them in a while. In this case, you should update Microsoft 365 to the latest version available. Depending on your operating system, there are a couple of different ways to do this.
On Windows, launch any Microsoft 365 app and selectAccountfrom the left-side panel. There, click onMicrosoft 365 and Office Updatesmenu and selectUpdate now.
If something goes wrong during the update process, seehow to fix Microsoft 365 error code 30015-26.
On Mac, it’s just as easy. Again, open a Microsoft 365 app and click onHelp>Check for Updates. This will launch an update if there is one available. To save time later, you may also choose to check the box toAutomatically keep Microsoft apps up to date.
Hopefully, the solutions above helped you fix the “PowerPoint found a problem with the content” error. Most of the time, you have to move the file out of a synchronized folder or fix a corrupted file. Now, the hard work begins in making an engaging PowerPoint presentation for your peers!
