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I have made many PowerPoint presentations on Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 on Windows XP. I also have a laptop which runs Windows 7.

I am considering upgrading from Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 to 2010. Are PowerPoint 2003 files (*.ppt files) easily and perfectly playable and editable in PowerPoint 2010 (whose default file format is *.pptx, I think). I would like all of the original animations and text/graphics specifications to be playable and editable in PowerPoint 2010 on Windows 7. Is this possible?

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    I believe so. I have opened many 2003 files in PPT 2010 without any issues.
    – wbeard52
    Jul 21, 2012 at 19:03

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Yes this is possible.

By default, Office 2003 files open directly in Office 2010/2007 in Compatibility mode, which means that some new features such as Sparklines in Excel or SmartArt in Word or some animations in PowerPoint might not be available or will be greyed out. You will see [Compatibility Mode] after the file name in the title bar.

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If you want to retain full compatibility with Office 2003 and don't need to use the new features, leave the file in compatibility mode and save the file as an Office 2003 file (.ppt). Office 2010 should automatically alert you of any compatibility issues when you save it.

If you're sure that you won't need to edit your file in the earlier version again, you have a couple of options. Take a copy of the file first, then either:

  • Convert the file to 2010 format: Select the File tab → InfoConvert (this will turn off the compatibility checker)

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OR

  • Save the file to the new file type: Select the File tab → Save & SendChange File Type and select the new file type → Save As.

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