The preview image is fuzzy or jagged in the File Open dialog box in PowerPoint 2002 and PowerPoint 2003 (823813)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
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 click Open on the File menu, and then look through your presentations in the File Open dialog box, the preview image in the Preview pane appears fuzzy or jagged.

CAUSE

Because of changes in how the preview image is saved in PowerPoint 2002 and in PowerPoint 2003, the preview image File Open dialog box is harder to read than in PowerPoint 2000 and earlier versions.

WORKAROUND

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 work around this behavior, follow the steps for your version of PowerPoint.

PowerPoint 2003:

Follow these steps, and then quit Registry Editor:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\PowerPoint\Options

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD value.
  4. Type Preview Picture Precision, and then press ENTER.
  5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
  6. Type 320 (Decimal), and then click OK.

PowerPoint 2002:

Follow these steps, and then quit Registry Editor:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\PowerPoint\Options

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD value.
  4. Type Preview Picture Precision, and then press ENTER.
  5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
  6. Type 320 (Decimal), and then click OK.
The default value for Preview Picture Precision is 160 (Decimal). This registry change doubles the size of the preview image. This increases the image quality.

Note This registry key is documented in the Regkey.xls file included in the Office Resource Kit.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/12/2006
Keywords:kbdisplay kbRegistry kbopenfile kbprb kbgraphic kbnofix KB823813 kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO
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