How to Convert Powerpoint to Flash Easily

To easily convert a PowerPoint presentation to Adobe Flash so that it can be accessed on a website, download the free OpenOffice software. Using the OpenOffice Wizard you can convert entire directories of documents to the OpenDocument format. OpenOffice allows you to export presentations to the Flash format so that your users can view your presentation in a Web browser that has the Flash plug-in rather than requiring them to have the Microsoft Office PowerPoint application installed. Animations do not get included.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft PowerPoint

Instructions

1. Create a folder or directory on your computer to contain the presentation files you want to convert. Go to the folder where the files currently reside to copy them: Press the "CTRL"+"A" keys to select all the files; then press the "CTRL"+"C" keys to copy them into your computer's clipboard. Click on the destination folder you created. Paste in the files by pressing the "CTRL"+"V" keys. Start the OpenOffice.org application. Click the "Open a Document..." icon. Select the first presentation you want to convert.

2. Select the "Wizards" option from the "File" menu and choose "Document Converter" if you want to convert a set of presentations to the OpenDocument format. Click the "Microsoft Office" toggle button and select the "PowerPoint documents" check box. Click the "Next" button. Select the folders you want to import from and export to and then click the "Next" button. Click the "Convert" button and then click the "Close" button.

3. Open each presentation and check that the visuals and the text elements look correct. Change the presentation, if necessary, using the OpenOffice.org Impress functions. OpenOffice.org Impress allows you to insert additional charts, text and images. OpenOffice.org Draw allows you to create vector graphics to use in your presentation. Draw provides backgrounds, bullets and other elements to add to your presentation.

4. Select the "Export..." option from the "File" menu. From the "Save as type" menu, scroll to locate and select the "Macromedia Flash (SWF) (.swf)" option. Click the "Save" button. Open and test your Flash file. Click through each page to ensure the presentation displays correctly. Animation does not display in the converted files. To convert to a projector file, select the "Create Projector... file" option from the "File" menu. Enter a file name and click the "Save" button. This saves the file with an ".EXE" file extension.

References

• "Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft Office PowerPoint® 2007 to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate, and Inspire"; Cliff Atkinson; 2007

Resources

• OpenOffice.org: The Free and Open Productivity Suite