Unable to open some Powerpoint 2010 PPTX files which were emailed to me

A presentation created by a colleague was emailed to me via Outlook 2010. After saving the file (save attachments) in a folder, I cannot open the PPTx file. I get the following error ina dialogue box:

     Powerpoint found a problem with content in XXX.ppt.

     Powerpoint can attempt to repair the presentation.

     If you trust  the source this presentation, click Repair.

When I click on 'Repair', I get another dialogue box which says:

   This error can be caused by following conditions:

    ---- none of which are applicable to my system. Can somebody help me with this problem?

 

February 11th, 2011 10:42pm

First try to open the file on another systems if file doesn't open then there might be chances of file corruption. Please let me know what kind of messages you get when you open the ppt file .

However if you can't get around the solution then you must use some powerpoint repair software.

  • Proposed as answer by rjrm Wednesday, September 11, 2013 10:32 AM
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February 14th, 2011 9:49am

First try to open the file on another systems if file doesn't open then there might be chances of file corruption. Please let me know what kind of messages you get when you open the ppt file .

However if you can't get around the solution then you must use some powerpoint repair software.

February 14th, 2011 12:49pm

As I wrote originally, when I try to open the PPTx, I get the error message about 'problem with content' and offers to help with a 'Repair' which doesn't work.

I am able to open the PPTx on my other PC. It is not corrupted.

Cheers...

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February 14th, 2011 1:06pm

I HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER - albeit accidentally, but it solves the problem:

RESOLUTION: what you do is right-click on the PPTx file name and select PROPERTIES. On this dialogue box, you will see a button marked UNBLOCK, click on this and then press OK.

That's it. Now the file will open.

Hope this solution helps...

Ashe

February 15th, 2011 2:16pm

No, still not working for me. Anyone got any updates?
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May 31st, 2011 1:53pm

Everyone, I have solved the problem; follow this procedure:

a) Right-click on the PowerPoint filename and select Properties.

b) In the dialogue box that opens, click on the "Unblock" button.

c) And press OK.

This will have 'unblocked' the presentation and now you'll be able to open it.

May 31st, 2011 2:37pm

The UNBLOCK button is not an option on my W7 machine, so not an answer for me. I got around this issue in the end: open the file, click to repair, then save as a PPT or PPTX. The new file does not appear to have these issues. Simple really, but annoying if you have to do this for lots of files.
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June 29th, 2011 2:06pm

I tried this but I do not have an "unblock" button in the properties to click on.  any other thoughts?

The problem I have when I try to open a powerpoint some tried to email me (which I can open on another computer just fine, but the computer with microsoft 2010 gives me the following message).

Powerpoint found a problem with content in XXXX.pptx.  Powerpoint can attempt to repair the presentation.  If you trust the source of this presentation, click Repair.  But when I do this the following message occurs (and I can't see some of the content that was supposed to be on the slides)- Powerpoint removed unreadable content in XXXX.pptx [Repaired].  You should review this presentation to determine whether any content was unexpectedly changed or removed.  (which in the slides it is and it shows that powerpoint "image cannot currently be diplayed").

Help anyone.

September 29th, 2011 8:40pm

Fabulous! yes, this works!

 

so what is the matter with Microsoft to create this trap to frustrate users when they most need to get thir work done?

what were they thinking?

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January 25th, 2012 2:10am

Hi there.  I had a similar issue.  How I was able to resolve this was by doing the following.  You will need Office 2003 (with compatibility pack) and Office 2010.

1. Open the Powerpoint presentation in Powerpoint 2003.

2.  Once you have the presentation opened in Powerpoint 2003, save it as a Powerpoint 2007 presentation.

3.  Open the presentation using Powerpoint 2010.  You may get some error prompts (you can ignore).  Click on save as, and save it as a Powerpoint 2010 presentation.  Close it.

4.  Now open it again using Powerpoint 2010, you should be able to work on it without any issues.

Not the most elegant solution but it worked for me.  I hope this helps.

March 1st, 2012 8:33am

Hi there.  I had a similar issue.  How I was able to resolve this was by doing the following.  You will need Office 2003 (with compatibility pack) and Office 2010.

1. Open the Powerpoint presentation in Powerpoint 2003.

2.  Once you have the presentation opened in Powerpoint 2003, save it as a Powerpoint 2007 presentation.

3.  Open the presentation using Powerpoint 2010.  You may get some error prompts (you can ignore).  Click on save as, and save it as a Powerpoint 2010 presentation.  Close it.

4.  Now open it again using Powerpoint 2010, you should be able to work on it without any issues.

Not the most elegant solution but it worked for me.  I hope this helps.

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March 1st, 2012 8:34am

Hi there.  I had a similar issue.  How I was able to resolve this was by doing the following.  You will need Office 2003 (with compatibility pack) and Office 2010.

1. Open the Powerpoint presentation in Powerpoint 2003.

2.  Once you have the presentation opened in Powerpoint 2003, save it as a Powerpoint 2007 presentation.

3.  Open the presentation using Powerpoint 2010.  You may get some error prompts (you can ignore).  Click on save as, and save it as a Powerpoint 2010 presentation.  Close it.

4.  Now open it again using Powerpoint 2010, you should be able to work on it without any issues.

Not the most elegant solution but it worked for me.  I hope this helps.

March 1st, 2012 11:33am

Hi there.  I had a similar issue.  How I was able to resolve this was by doing the following.  You will need Office 2003 (with compatibility pack) and Office 2010.

1. Open the Powerpoint presentation in Powerpoint 2003.

2.  Once you have the presentation opened in Powerpoint 2003, save it as a Powerpoint 2007 presentation.

3.  Open the presentation using Powerpoint 2010.  You may get some error prompts (you can ignore).  Click on save as, and save it as a Powerpoint 2010 presentation.  Close it.

4.  Now open it again using Powerpoint 2010, you should be able to work on it without any issues.

Not the most elegant solution but it worked for me.  I hope this helps.

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March 1st, 2012 11:34am

You can fix it for all files... you need to unblock that file type in the Protected View setting! 

Start PowerPoint 2010.  On the File tab, click Options, then Trust Center, then the Trust Center Settings button.  Next, click Protected View and uncheck "Enable protected view for files originating from the Internet" and click OK.

If you want to disable any of the other blocks, you can do it there too.

Now you don't have to go to each individual file and check Unblock in the Properties.

June 20th, 2012 11:12pm

See my answer below Ashe.  It is Protected View that is blocking the file.  The message is incorrect and misleading.
  • Proposed as answer by Paul Raja Friday, September 21, 2012 8:38 AM
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June 20th, 2012 11:43pm

You can fix it for all files... you need to unblock that file type in the Protected View setting! 

Start PowerPoint 2010.  On the File tab, click Options, then Trust Center, then the Trust Center Settings button.  Next, click Protected View and uncheck "Enable protected view for files originating from the Internet" and click OK.

If you want to disable any of the other blocks, you can do it there too.

Now you don't have to go to each individual file and check Unblock in the Properties.

June 21st, 2012 2:12am

See my answer below Ashe.  It is Protected View that is blocking the file.  The message is incorrect and misleading.
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June 21st, 2012 2:43am

You need to uncheck the option for "potentially unsafe locations" too.
June 21st, 2012 2:44am

Protected View is blocking it.  Go to the Trust Center settings, then Protected View and uncheck the options for blocking Internet and "potentially unsafe locations".  See previous posts.  This is the same for Word, and other Office 2010 products.
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June 21st, 2012 2:46am

Thank you !!  The unblock worked. 
July 13th, 2012 12:49am

Thank you so much. This is the one that finally worked for me. I was able to "Unblock" each one, but that gets old with doing online classes. Thanks for the assist.
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July 28th, 2012 2:47am

Hey thanks ... it worked for me and you saved my imp ppts :) thanks a ton
July 29th, 2012 8:31am

Thanks for this! I thought I would never get PP working properly again!

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July 31st, 2012 12:11pm

Amen. This is the solution I am looking for. It solves the problem for all .ppt files, not just one.

Thank you, thank you.

August 16th, 2012 5:35am

Fixed PowerPoint 2010 from Outlook 2010 for me after 2013 Preview uninstalled. Thanks!
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August 20th, 2012 9:10pm

The same repair error started showing up right after install/uninstall of Office 2013 preview. 

How did you repair PP 2010? Repair via Office installer; uninstall/reinstall didn't work for me.

Unblock solution above works, however, now every attachment has to be saved & unblocked before it works with PP 2010. :(

August 21st, 2012 8:21pm

Thanks for your assistance. Mike Barry
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September 6th, 2012 12:14am

This is the best solution of all. As it is permanent. I got into this issue as I believe I installed Office 365 beta and when I uninstalled it. It left behind those settings. Thanks henryo303 for the fix.
September 21st, 2012 11:38am

Hi Henry,

This didn't work for me. I'm trying to download .pptx files from my university site and the error message continues to come up, even before the file downloads fully, then Word opens with nothing in it. Suggestions?

Thanks,

Sarah

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September 23rd, 2012 12:08am

Thank you very much Pokemon Trainer with an added e
December 11th, 2012 3:06am

You are a genius, you have no idea, how much time i have wasted searching for this sudden problem

Thanks for the solution, works like a charm.

Adesh

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December 18th, 2012 9:27am

It must be because of your pptx files are corrupted by any reason, in this case make use repair powerpoint presentation

http://www.repairpowerpoint.powerpointrepairtoolbox.com parses any version of PPT documents in use, works on Windows 7 and below

March 8th, 2013 6:30pm

Hey guys, I found this article on EzineArticles a few weeks ago. The article seems to be very informative for MS PowerPoint recovery. I found it very useful for MS PowerPoint users, so linked it here.

Cheers.

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July 3rd, 2013 7:37am

Well spotted Ashe!!

Damn stupid setting, i thought my File association was all screwed up

Regards

Lee

July 12th, 2013 10:59am

Thanks, useful info
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July 12th, 2013 11:00am

Thank you! Unblock option worked for me
September 11th, 2013 10:48am

SPOT ON.. Works a treat. Thanks for your help
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November 6th, 2013 11:28am

Worked Great - thanks!
March 6th, 2014 5:35pm

Tks! 

This is the real answer to the problem indeed.

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May 6th, 2014 1:49pm

If 'open with' tab is empty or unspecified you can choose 'Microsoft Powerpoint"to make the presentation work.
August 18th, 2014 1:17am

Hi,

I too found this message while i was working on my PowerPoint program. I was very annoyed but by the help of a post i was able to resolve the error . So here i am, sharing you the post that helped to resolve this error. 

http://powerpoint.filerepairtool.net/blog/cant-open-powerpoint-presentation-2010/

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September 2nd, 2014 7:04am

I cannot express the gratitude for this solution. Thank you.

February 4th, 2015 4:14pm

thanks Ashe, the solution given by you worked.
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May 26th, 2015 11:34am

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