PowerPoint wont Import to Storyline (and many other things)

Aug 22, 2018

When attempting to Import a PowerPoint 2016 into Storyline 360, it errors out. "Failed to Import PowerPoint Presentation." It also provided a link to this page:  https://articulate.com/support/article/Articulate-Storyline-360-Failed-to-Import-PowerPoint-Presentation and after checking/completing everything there, it still errors out.

As a test, I opened the PowerPoint and tried to see what Engage and Presenter could do with it.

I have the Articulate Ribbon, but anytime I try and use something in it, I get an error report from that too.

Nothing is functioning right with Articulate 360 suite and PowerPoint.

5 Replies
Crystal Horn

Hi there, Jeff.  I'm really sorry - that sounds so frustrating.  Would you be able to share your .PPT with me privately so I can test it out on my end?

In the meantime, let me try a few ideas with you:

  • Is your PowerPoint file saved locally to your C: drive?  Or do you access it from a shared or network drive?  Copy it to your C: drive and then try to perform the import.
  • Let's do a repair of the Studio 360 tools. Here's how.

Let me know if the repair works for you so that you can use Presenter on the existing PowerPoint file on your local C: drive.  If not, we'll take some next steps!

Jeff Momsen
Crystal Horn (Hi Crystal, Answers bolded below)

Hi there, Jeff.  I'm really sorry - that sounds so frustrating.  Yes, we need this because we have content owners who submit in Ppt, and we then add interactivity and publish from Storyline. Would you be able to share your .PPT with me privately so I can test it out on my end? No need really, its not just one Ppt, its ALL of them. I created a brand new test Ppt from scratch and it still doesnt work. (besides, we are working on a Wound Care project, and I dont want to inflict those images on you if not necessary. :)

In the meantime, let me try a few ideas with you:

  • Is your PowerPoint file saved locally to your C: drive?  Or do you access it from a shared or network drive?  Copy it to your C: drive and then try to perform the import. Yes, I ALWAYS work from my C Drive and Desktop. Learned that lessons years ago, but thanks for checking.
  • Let's do a repair of the Studio 360 tools. Here's how. Great instructions, and I did it for both Studio 360 and Storyline 360. after rebooting, the Ppt Articulate ribbon seems to be functioning (so thats at least something) but I still can not Import any ppt into a Story.

Let me know if the repair works for you so that you can use Presenter on the existing PowerPoint file on your local C: drive.  If not, we'll take some next steps!

 

Ashley Terwilliger-Pollard
Jeff Momsen

 (besides, we are working on a Wound Care project, and I dont want to inflict those images on you if not necessary. :) 

First off, I can't thank you enough for this part. I've handled a few similar projects in my time at Articulate, and I'm okay not looking at those images again. 😝

I also wanted to check that you're on the same update of both Storyline, Presenter and Engage - update 19 was released earlier this week. 

What version of Powerpoint are you using? Were the files created in another version of Powerpoint than the one you have installed on your computer? 

Although you said it's happening on every file, it would be helpful for us to test one of your files. That would narrow down if it's something in your file or something with the installs of Articulate on your computer. Even that sample file you created without all the wound care images sounds ideal! 

Jeff Momsen

Hi Ashley, You are VERY welcome about the wound care images. :)

Yes updated Storyline 360 and Studio 360. Then uninstalled and reinstalled. (but this problem has been going on for a while. We just luckily didn't need the Import again until now.

PowerPoint is 2016 (are there Add-Ins or Trust Center settings that may need fixing in PowerPoint? (assuming this should happen during updates but my IT guy suggested I ask.)

Presenter is v8.19.16600.0

Storyline is v3.19.16600.0

My IT guy added RAM to my laptop because I was also seeing a Microsoft PowerPoint Popup "There's not enough memory or system resources to start PowerPoint." after trying to Import. But the added memory did not fix the issue.

Since I am working from my Hard-drive, I even attempted an Import with my WiFi shut off completely. and I got the error message again. "Failed to import PowerPoint presentation.

Attached is an image Safe Ppt I created myself, on my laptop that is also not importing.

Leslie McKerchie

Hey Jeff,

Thanks for sharing your .pptx file so that we could take a look.

I was able to import the presentation to Storyline 360, but not with the Engage interaction, which I expected since it's not in the PowerPoint file, but would be within the Presenter Package. You probably will not encounter this error, but just in case I wanted to share this documentation.

Some common reasons you may not be able to import from PowerPoint can be found here. Security permissions being the main culprit that I've witnessed.

I'm attaching the SL360 file created from your file in case you need it in the meantime while you're diagnosing with your IT.

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