Print Slides From a PowerPoint Show File for PC

A quick extension change does the trick

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Updated on October 14, 2019

Print slides from PowerPoint — gotafli / Unsplash

A PowerPoint show file runs automatically when opened. You can print out the contents of a PowerPoint presentation in one of two ways, but you must save it as a PowerPoint presentation first.

Instructions in this article apply to PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010; PowerPoint for Mac, PowerPoint Online, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365.

Change the File Type in PowerPoint

PowerPoint shows use the extension .ppsx and PowerPoint presentations use the extension .pptx. Before you can print the show file, save the PowerPoint show file as a presentation from within PowerPoint.

The PowerPoint file must be saved on your computer to change the file type. For instance, if you received it in an email, make sure to download the attachment.

Open PowerPoint.
Go to File and select Open.
Select the slideshow (with the .ppsx extension) you want to print to open it.
Select Enable Editing if the file is displayed in Protected View.
Go to File.
Select Save As. In PowerPoint 2019, choose Save a Copy.
Select the File Type dropdown arrow and choose PowerPoint Presentation (*.pptx).
Select Save.

Once you have saved the file as a presentation, you can print PowerPoint slides using the standard method.

Change the File Type in Windows

You can also change the PowerPoint file from a show to a presentation in Windows. First, you must configure Windows 10 to show the file extensions.

Go to Start and select File Explorer. Alternatively, press Win Key+E.
Go to View, select the Options dropdown arrow, and choose Change folder and search options.
In the Folder Options dialog box, select the View tab.
Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types to see the file extensions.
Select Apply to Folders.
Select OK.
Navigate to the folder containing the PowerPoint show, but do not open the file.
Right-click the PowerPoint show file (with the .ppsx extension) and select Rename.
Replace.ppsx with .pptx and press Enter.
Select Yes to confirm that you want to change the file type.