older versions of Mac software

[Diane]

I have created a PowerPoint in Windows XP and have someone who wants
to use it in a Mac version of something (he's not sure what software
he has) that is 3 years old. He has been unable to use the
presentation, but I wanted to make sure that it was a version problem
before I told him he needed to buy something updated. We're on
opposite coasts so I can't just grab his laptop to see what's going on
(as would be my pref!). Thanks.

 

[David M. Marcovitz]

Most features of Office XP (Windows) work in Office 98 and higher (Mac),
but a few features do not work. If he has 98 or higher, he should see
something close to what you are trying to show him.
--David

--
David M. Marcovitz, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Programs in Educational Technology
Loyola College in Maryland
Author of _Powerful PowerPoint for Educators_
http://www.loyola.edu/education/PowerfulPowerPoint/

(e-mail address removed) (Diane) wrote in

 

[Mickey Stevens]

PowerPoint presentations that use multiple masters will crash PowerPoint 98,
PowerPoint 2001, and the PowerPoint Viewer for Mac. In the case of the
first two, that can be corrected by applying the latest updates from the
Microsoft website.

Install the latest Office 2001 update:
* Microsoft Office 2001 Combined Update 9.0.4

Download it from Microsoft:
<http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx#Office2001>

Or, install the latest Office 98 updates:
* Combined Updated for Office 98
* Office 98 /Mac OS 9/Y2K Update
* Word/PowerPoint 98 Update
* Word 98 Macro Vulnerability Update
* PowerPoint/Excel 98 Macro Vulnerability Update
* Office 98 SSL Security Update
* Word, Excel and PowerPoint 98 Updated Metafile Filter for Graphics Issues

Download these from Microsoft:
<http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx#Office98>

 

[Diane]

Thanks for the responses--I will pass along the update info to him and
hope he can get the presentation to run.

Diane

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Hi Diane,

If your special someone has a 3 year old version of PowerPoint, then it's
probably PowerPoint 2001. In that case please pay special attention to
Mickey's advice.

But that also indicates there's a good chance your friend's computer is new
enough to be upgraded to OSX and PowerPoint 2004, which should be available
in the next few weeks.

PowerPoint 2004 has a compatibility checker that can generate a report that
will point out things that might not work cross-platform.

-Jim