I updated to version 5 of Storyline and the feature to import a PowerPoint stopped working. I got this error... 'object reference not set to an instance of an object'. After closing this dialog box, it will not progress to showing the slide import dialog box, and will stall on the 'loading' icon. Tried PowerPoints I had already imported previously in Update 4 and still no luck.
I rolled back to Update 4 and all PowerPoints imported without any errors.
In any case, I'm not a big fan of importing from Powerpoint to Storyline straight-up. In my experience it messes more things up than it fixes. I just copy/paste all the elements over, this way I know exactly what is going on on my slide(s) and I don't have to resort to troubleshooting for each and every one of them.
I just did a quick test with Powerpoint 2010 and update 5 of Storyline and the import worked fine for me. The issue might be related to your version of Powerpoint or something in your Powerpoint file.
I was using Office 2013. Possibly, this is the issue. I rolled back to Storyline Update 4 and the same PowerPoint files imported just fine. It seems to point towards an Office 2013 / Update 5 conflict.
I agree with Alex on importing from PPT, however this may help, when I get that failed screen, I have found that opening the presentation in PPT (and keeping it open)and then importing often fixes it.
Counter intuitive as most times the program wants exclusive access, but Storyline actually use ppt to process the import, I believe it cuts and pastes the content into SL
Sorry to hear about the behavior you've run into. I'm curious though about you're final statement, that importing 6 at a time allowed you to import the entire file. How big is the entire file? I also didn't see a mention to confirm which version of Powerpoint you're running as mentioned in this thread with the same error message. Lastly, I'd also want to check that you're working on local project files as described here.
The file size was 2667 KB but we have regularly imported much larger files. We have 2010 Home and Business 32 bit. and the file was on a Local (internal) drive.
The project manager informed me today that she was not able to import 4 of the slides so she just recreated them in SL.
So I guess there was some type of content or formatting on those slides that SL didn't like. I could ask her to pull those slides into a file and upload them somewhere for you to look at if you like.
It could be that those 4 slides contained something problematic formatting wise or corruption wise which was causing the issues with the import. If you'd like to share those slides with us, I'm happy to take a look and do a little more testing.
13 Replies
Hi James,
What version of Powerpoint are you using?
In any case, I'm not a big fan of importing from Powerpoint to Storyline straight-up. In my experience it messes more things up than it fixes. I just copy/paste all the elements over, this way I know exactly what is going on on my slide(s) and I don't have to resort to troubleshooting for each and every one of them.
Alex
James:
I just did a quick test with Powerpoint 2010 and update 5 of Storyline and the import worked fine for me. The issue might be related to your version of Powerpoint or something in your Powerpoint file.
Brent
Hi guys,
I was using Office 2013. Possibly, this is the issue. I rolled back to Storyline Update 4 and the same PowerPoint files imported just fine. It seems to point towards an Office 2013 / Update 5 conflict.
Hi James,
I use Office 2013 and Storyline update 5, so I just tested this and the import worked successfully. Since this is a new issue for you within update 5, it's possible that something occuring during the installation of Update 5, so I'd recommend following the troubleshooting steps in this article to fix unexpected or erratic behavior in Articulate Storyline.
Also, as a reminder you'll to ensure you're working with local project files, as working on a network/shared drive or USB can cause odd or unusual behavior. Additionally, there are some other troubleshooting steps in this article regarding a failure to import Powerpoint files.
Let us know how the import is working after conducting the troubleshooting steps above.
Same issue. Using local pptx file. Office 2010 Professional.
Also your link 'troubleshooting steps........' goes to a German language page.
New user to Articulate and nearly all my work will be importing initially from PPT.
Hi Chris and welcome to Heroes!
I just tested the links again, and they don't open up a German language page for me, but here is the url: http://www.articulate.com/support/storyline/unexpected-or-erratic-behavior-in-articulate-storyline
Were you able to access the last link specific to importing from Powerpoint? If not, I've included the url again here: http://www.articulate.com/support/storyline/error-failed-to-import-powerpoint-presentation
Please let us know if you're able to conduct those troubleshooting steps.
I agree with Alex on importing from PPT, however this may help, when I get that failed screen, I have found that opening the presentation in PPT (and keeping it open)and then importing often fixes it.
Counter intuitive as most times the program wants exclusive access, but Storyline actually use ppt to process the import, I believe it cuts and pastes the content into SL
Good tip Phil!
Thank you for this tip Phil!
We just tried your method with a ppt file and pptx file (neither would load), and it worked!
We are having similar issue.
The last story I created on 7/10/2014 worked great just as dozens before have worked.
We have not changed versions of any of our software. 5:1401.2415
Yesterday we tried to import a pptx and got the error "The value must be between 0 and 21600000. Parameter name: value"
Tried again on another PC same result.
Followed instructions from this page: http://www.articulate.com/support/storyline/error-failed-to-import-powerpoint-presentation Same Result
Tried the copy paste workaround and found the slide content becomes a picture thus un-editable in Storyline. No good.
Tried the Open pptx project workaround and still receive the error.
Hi Tom,
Sorry to hear about the behavior you've run into. I'm curious though about you're final statement, that importing 6 at a time allowed you to import the entire file. How big is the entire file? I also didn't see a mention to confirm which version of Powerpoint you're running as mentioned in this thread with the same error message. Lastly, I'd also want to check that you're working on local project files as described here.
Hi Ashley,
The file size was 2667 KB but we have regularly imported much larger files. We have 2010 Home and Business 32 bit. and the file was on a Local (internal) drive.
The project manager informed me today that she was not able to import 4 of the slides so she just recreated them in SL.
So I guess there was some type of content or formatting on those slides that SL didn't like. I could ask her to pull those slides into a file and upload them somewhere for you to look at if you like.
I'll let you know if this happens again.
Thanks,
Tom
Hi Thomas,
It could be that those 4 slides contained something problematic formatting wise or corruption wise which was causing the issues with the import. If you'd like to share those slides with us, I'm happy to take a look and do a little more testing.
Thanks also for the update and keep us posted!
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