Can't Open PowerPoint File on a Mac? 4 Proven Ways to Fix It✅

Can't open PowerPoint files on a Mac, which can hinder productivity. Finding solutions to compatibility issues, destroyed/corrupted data, or application incompatibilities is essential to continue your valuable presentations for study or business needs.

We'll look at 4 proven solutions in this guide to fix the 'can't open PowerPoint files on a Mac' issue. To help you overcome this frustrating obstacle, we've included troubleshooting steps, from checking software updates to reinstalling Office. You may diagnose and solve the problem by following these steps, enabling you to view and work on your PowerPoint files.

Quick Solution: Repair PowerPoint on a Mac with Software🔥

In case the PowerPoint files get corrupted, accidentally deleted, or lost, we recommend using the EaseUS Fixo File Repair. This software is designed to work both as a desktop version and as an online tool to repair your PPT files in a few seconds.

The software offers single and batch repair options for PowerPoint files to save you time through the repair process. It can repair corrupted files on a Mac, including corrupted .ppt files and damaged Word/Excel documents.

If your PowerPoint file is not opening on a Mac, the software can fix it in a few seconds. Check out the following steps:

Step 1. Launch Document Repair Software

Run EaseUS Fixo Document Repair. Choose "File Repair" on the left panel. This software allows you to repair corrupted Office documents, including Word, Excel, PDF, and others.

Step 2. Choose and Repair Corrupted Document

Click "Repair All" to repair all the documents added. If you want to repair a single document, move the mouse pointer to the target document and click "Repair." To preview the repaired document, click the eye icon.

Step 3. Preview and Save the Repaired Document

When the repair process finishes, click "Save" to save a selected document. Also, you can click "Save All" to save all repaired documents. To locate the repaired folder, click "View Repaired".

Fix 1. Check the Updates to Fix the 'Can't Open PowerPoint File' Issue

When your Mac PowerPoint isn't working, check for updates to make sure you're using the newest version. Here's how.

Step 1. To access the "App Store" directly, Go to "Launchpad" or utilize Spotlight search (Command+Space). To access the App Store, just click on its icon.

Step 2. Select "Updates" from the left menu.

Step 3. Press "Command + R" to reload the page and ensure you have the most recent changes available.

Step 4. If there is an update available for PowerPoint, install it.

Step 5. Alternatively, you may manually update PowerPoint by launching the software, going to the Help menu, and clicking "Check for Updates".

Making sure you have the most recent version of PowerPoint installed is critical for fixing startup difficulties caused by flaws in older versions. PowerPoint may be updated automatically via the program or manually via the Mac App Store.

Share this article on social media to help others learn how to fix the PowerPoint files that can't open on a Mac error.

Fix 2. Start the PowerPoint in Safe Mode

If the preceding remedies did not address the problem, booting your Mac into Safe Mode may help identify any conflicts caused by third-party programs. Follow these instructions to launch PowerPoint in Safe Mode:

For M1 Mac users:

Step 1. Click the "Apple logo" in the upper-left corner, then pick "Shut Down".

Step 2. Once shut down, hold the Power Button until two choices appear.

Step 3. After selecting "Macintosh HD", hold Shift and choose "Continue in Safe Mode".

Step 4. After your Mac boots into Safe Mode, run the Microsoft PowerPoint software to see whether it works correctly.

For Intel Mac users:

Step 1. Select "Restart" after clicking the Apple logo.

Step 2. Immediately hit and hold the Shift key while your Mac restarts.

Step 3. After viewing the login window, release the Shift key.

Step 4. Enter your account and launch PowerPoint to test the problem.

Booting into Safe Mode launches just the most important programs and processes, making it easier to discover conflicts. Test PowerPoint in Safe Mode, then restart your Mac normally to leave Safe Mode and ensure that the software functions properly.

Fix 3. Clear the PowerPoint App Directories in the Containers Folder

Another solution is to delete the PowerPoint program folders in the Containers folder. This technique involves removing certain files to enable PowerPoint to rebuild its cache and perhaps resolve any corruption problems. Here's how to clear the PowerPoint app directories:

Step 1. Quit PowerPoint to make sure it is not operating to prevent any issues.

Step 2. Choose "Go to Folder" in Finder after clicking "Go" in the menu bar. Enter ~/Library/Containers/.

Step 3. In the Containers folder, look for the folder com.microsoft.PowerPoint.

Step 4. Navigate to the "Cache" folder in the com.microsoft.PowerPoint folder. Delete all files and folders in the Cache folder.

Step 5. After deleting the cache files, shut the Finder window and restart PowerPoint. It may take longer to boot up the first time since it rebuilds the cache.

Clearing the program directories in the Containers folder effectively resets PowerPoint's cache, which may help cure any difficulties caused by faulty cache files. After completing these procedures, relaunch PowerPoint and see whether the issue remains.

Fix 4. Remove PowerPoint Preferences and Reinstall Office

If the above solutions fail to remedy the PowerPoint problem, deleting PowerPoint settings and reinstalling Office may help address underlying software problems. This procedure involves entirely uninstalling Office and then reinstalling it for a new start.

Uninstalling PowerPoint on the Mac

Remove Microsoft 365 for Mac applications and Remove files from the User Library folder.

Step 1. Open "Finder" and go to "Applications". Hold the "Command" key and click to pick all Mac Microsoft 365 apps.

Step 2. Ctrl + click one of the chosen programs and choose "Move to Trash".

Step 3. Remove any Office programs that may be present in the Dock.

Step 4. Open Finder and navigate to "Go to the Folder".

Step 5. Enter ~/Library into the window and click "Go".

Step 6. Open the "Containers" folder and remove the following folders.

Step 7. Search for com.microsoft.powerpoint.plist and delete the mentioned folder.

Restart your Mac to confirm that all Office components are uninstalled.

Reinstalling Office

Sign in and install Office.

Step 1. Sign in to the official Office.com website with your connected account information.

Step 2. To start the download, choose "Install Office".

Step 3. After downloading, open Finder, navigate to Downloads, and double-click Microsoft Office installer.pkg.

Step 4. On the initial installation screen, click the "Continue" button. Click Agree after reviewing the program license. Select the installation type and click "Continue".

Step 5. Review the disk space requirements and click Install. Enter your Mac's login password and click Install Software.

Step 6. Once the installation is complete, click "Close". Launch an Office application from the Launchpad. The "What's New" window will open automatically. To activate, click "Get Started".

By removing PowerPoint settings and reinstalling Office, you're effectively starting again, which may help address any ongoing difficulties with the program. After reinstalling Office, relaunch PowerPoint and see whether the issue remains. If problems continue, try contacting Microsoft support for more help.

Can't Open PowerPoint Files on a Mac FAQs

Here are the top FAQ searches for the can't open PowerPoint file on Mac:

1. Why can't I open PowerPoint on my Mac?

If PowerPoint on your Mac fails to start and displays "PowerPoint can't read ^0," it may be due to file corruption. Interestingly, modern versions of PowerPoint files are effectively zip files, allowing you to recover material by unzipping them using a utility program. This technique can restore data even if the file seems to be damaged, giving a workaround for accessing the file's content.

2. How can I open a PPTX file on my Mac?

Opening PPTX files on a Mac requires PowerPoint or Keynote. Right-click or double-click the PPTX file in Finder to "Open With". For smooth PowerPoint viewing, choose the right program from the list based on your installed apps.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting PowerPoint on a Mac may be difficult, but with the right methods, many common errors can be handled. There are various tried-and-true solutions to the "can't open PowerPoint files" issue, including using EaseUS Fixo for Mac, checking for updates, booting in safe mode, cleaning program folders, and reinstalling Office.

Follow this article's advice to fix PowerPoint file difficulties and restore access. Additionally, if more help is required, contacting Microsoft support may give extra direction and support. To avoid future problems, keep your software up to date and backup it regularly.