PPT4: How to Use the PowerPoint 97-98 Import Converter
  
PSS ID Number: Q176745
Article last modified on 05-17-1998
 
MACINTOSH:4.0
 
MACINTOSH
 

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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft PowerPoint for the Macintosh, version 4.0
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SUMMARY
=======
 
An import converter is now available that allows Microsoft PowerPoint 4.0 for
the Macintosh to open presentations created in PowerPoint 97 or PowerPoint 98
Macintosh Edition. The information in this article is divided into the following
sections:
 
 - Downloading the PowerPoint 97-98 Import Converter
 - Decoding and Extracting the Import Converter
 - Installing the PowerPoint 97-98 Import Converter
 - Opening PowerPoint 97 and 98 Presentations
 
MORE INFORMATION
================
 
Downloading the PowerPoint 97-98 Import Converter
-------------------------------------------------
 
Before you can open PowerPoint 97 or 98 presentations in PowerPoint 4.0 for the
Macintosh, you will need to obtain the import converter. There are two versions
of the import converter available: one for the Power Macintosh version of
PowerPoint 4.0 and one for the 68k version of PowerPoint 4.0. These converters
are available in the Microsoft Software Library:
 
 ~ Pp8_ppc.hqx Power Macintosh version, Release Date: November 20, 1997
 ~ Pp8_68k.hqx 68k Version, Release Date: November 14, 1997
 
For additional information about downloading these files, please see the
following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
 
   ARTICLE-ID: Q119591
   TITLE     : How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online
               Services
 
Decoding and Extracting the Import Converter
--------------------------------------------
 
Because these files are stored as bin-hex encoded files, you must decode the
bin-hex format before you can use the PowerPoint 97-98 Import Converter.
 
NOTE: The .hqx extension indicates bin-hex (binary- hexadecimal) encoding. This
encoding is done to preserve Macintosh file format characteristics (such as the
resource fork) while the file is stored on a non-Macintosh file system. For more
information about bin-hex encoding, please the see following article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:
 
   ARTICLE-ID: Q141862
   TITLE     : How to Decode .hqx Files Downloaded from Online Services
 
In the case of the Pp8_ppc.hqx and Pp8_68k.hqx files, the bin-hex encoding is a
shell around a self-extracting archive (.sea) file. No additional application is
required to extract the .sea file. To extract a .sea file, double-click the
file.
 
To remove the bin-hex shell, you need a bin-hex decoder. The following steps
demonstrate how to remove the bin-hex shell using the Stuffit Expander utility,
but you can use any bin-hex decoder to decode the file:
 
1. Start Stuffit Expander.
 
2. On the File menu, click Expand.
 
3. Open the folder that contains the .hqx file.
 
4. Click the .hqx file.
 
5. Click Expand.
 
You should now see a folder that contains the converter in the same location as
the source .hqx file. The folder is named 68K or PPC depending on which version
of the file you decoded. Stuffit automatically extracts the .sea file after it
removes the bin-hex shell.
 
NOTE: You can also decode the .hqx file by dropping it onto the Stuffit Expander
icon.
 
Installing the PowerPoint 97-98 Import Converter
------------------------------------------------
 
Open the 68k or PPC folder and drag the Pp8trans file into the folder where you
installed PowerPoint. By default, this is the Microsoft PowerPoint 4 folder.
 
NOTE: If PowerPoint was running when you installed the converter, you will need
to exit and restart PowerPoint before you can use the converter. For more
information, please see the PPC Readme file included with the converter.
 
Opening PowerPoint 97 and 98 Presentations
------------------------------------------
 
To open a PowerPoint 97 for Windows or PowerPoint 98 Macintosh Edition
presentation with the converter, follow these steps:
 
1. Set the Type and Creator with the SetFile Tool.
 
   NOTE: You do not need to use the SetFile tool with PowerPoint 98
   Macintosh Edition presentations. The type and creator will be set
   correctly.
 
   Use a drag and drop operation to move the PowerPoint 97 presentation to the
   SetFile tool. This action will set the type and creator for the presentation.
 
2. Open the Presentation by using either of the following methods:
 
   - In Finder, double-click the presentation.
 
     -or-
 
   - Follow these steps:
 
     a. In PowerPoint 4.0, click Open on the File menu.
 
     b. In the "List Files of Type" list, click PowerPoint 8.0 Files.
 
        NOTE: If PowerPoint 8.0 Files does not appear in the "List Files of
        Type" list, one of the following conditions exists:
 
        - The import converter is not installed correctly.
 
          -or-
 
        - PowerPoint was running when you installed the converter and you need
          to exit and restart PowerPoint.
 
     c. Select your presentation and then click Open.
 
For more information about opening PowerPoint presentations, please see the PPC
Readme file included with the converter.
 
Additional query words: mac_ppt mac ppt4 m_powerpt
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Keywords          : kbinterop kbdta kbconversion
Version           : MACINTOSH:4.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Hardware          : x86
Issue type        : kbinfo
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