PPT2000: Cannot Change Save As File Type (262592)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2000
This article was previously published under Q262592
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you save new or existing files, the Save as type setting is always Windows Metafile (*.wmf). In addition, you receive the following message:
Confirm Format change
You've changed the format for this file. If you are going to give other people access to this file, your administrator recommends that you save it as Windows Metafile.
You can choose either of the following types to save as:
  • Use recommended format
  • Save as presentation
If you save as a presentation, the file has the standard PPT extension. If you save as a WMF, your presentation has one graphic file per slide.

This behavior occurs even though the default Save PowerPoint files as setting is PowerPoint Presentation. (To view this setting, click Options on the Tools menu, and then click the Save tab).

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the registry key that specifies the default format in which to save is set to an incorrect value.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
  1. On the Start menu, click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit and click OK.
  3. In Registry Editor, select the DefaultFormat entry under the following subkey (folder):

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\PowerPoint\Options

  4. On the Edit menu, click Modify. Type 0, and then click OK.
  5. Quit Registry Editor.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

The DefaultFormat entry may have one of the following decimal values:
  • PowerPoint Presentation = 0
  • PowerPoint 97 - 2000 & 95 presentation = 4
  • PowerPoint 95 presentation = 3
  • PowerPoint 4 presentation = 5
  • Web Page = 13
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/11/2002
Keywords:kbprb KB262592
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.