Absorb Create allows for Courses to be created using different file types. In this article we will explain how to convert standard presentation files (PPTX) into Create Courses.
PowerPoint File Prerequisites
Before converting your PowerPoint into a Create Course, please confirm that it meets the following criteria:
- Less than 5GB.
- Not password protected.
- Less than 100 objects per slide (QR codes, maps, and similar images can be counted as 100+ objects).
- The total number of slides is less than 200 slides.
- File format is in (.pptx).
If you encounter errors while attempting to upload your PowerPoint file, please save it as a PowerPoint Picture Presentation and retry the conversion. Note that this format will save each slide in your presentation as a separate image.
Converting a PowerPoint in Create
Creating a new Course using a PowerPoint presentation requires access to the Admin Experience and Create. Please advise the following steps to convert the presentation file in Create.
- In the Admin Experience, click on the Create tile on the left hand side of the page.
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In the Create menu, click Create Content. You will be redirected to Absorb Create.
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In the Course Creation Wizard, click on the Upload PowerPoint button.
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Enter a name for the new Course. Click Continue.
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Upload the PowerPoint file from your computer. Confirm that the file meets the requirements described in the Prerequisites section above. For best results, ensure your presentation uses a 16:9 aspect ratio.
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Click Upload. A Conversion in Progress pop-up will appear. Once the conversion is complete you will be redirected to the Create Course Editor.
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Edit the Course.
Note that simple text and images will be uploaded to Create, but the following files will have to be added to the Course manually after the conversion: videos, audio, GIFs, animations, slide transitions, and ALT text. Link text will be included in the converted Course, but hyperlinks must be added manually. Tables, graphs and 3-D shapes will be converted to images in the new Course. If your presentation contains any mathematical formulas, these may not carry over in the conversion as subscript and superscript are not supported. Use screenshots to replace any missing formulas in the converted presentation.
- When your edits are complete, click Publish.
All images imported from your presentation can be found in the Media Library under the Archive section. Images can be unarchived and moved back to the All Categories images. From there the images can be moved to other Categories.
Troubleshooting
This section covers common issues that can occur when uploading a PowerPoint file into Create, including file conversion errors, font and alignment differences, and missing slide titles.
PowerPoint File Upload Fails
When you try to upload a PowerPoint file for Course conversion into Create, you may receive the following error message:
An error occurred while trying to convert your PowerPoint.
This message indicates that something in the file is preventing the upload.
In the next sections, we will outline troubleshooting options to resolve this error.
Confirm File Compatibility
Start by confirming that the PowerPoint file meets the basic upload requirements:
- The file format is .pptx.
- The file size is less than 5 GB.
- The file is not password protected.
- The presentation contains fewer than 200 slides.
If the file does not meet any of the above conditions, update and correct the file and attempt uploading it again.
Review Individual Slides
If the file meets the upload requirements but still fails to convert, review the slides individually by using the Reading Order Pane in PowerPoint.
To open the Reading Order Pane, complete the following steps:
- Click the Review tab.
- Click Check Accessibility.
- Click Reading Order Pane.
The Reading Order Pane displays all slide elements so you can identify content that may block conversion.
Review slides for the following common issues:
- Slides with more than 100 elements.
- Slides that contain grouped objects.
- Slides that contain complex images, such as graphics, QR codes, or maps.
- Slides that contain freeform shapes.
- Slides that contain placeholders instead of actual content.
If one or two slides appear to be the likely cause, correct those slides first. If the cause remains unclear, isolate the affected slide by testing smaller groups of slides.
Test Affected Slides
After identifying affected slides, follow these steps to test the file in smaller sections:
- Duplicate the
.pptxfile. - Delete one obvious problem slide, or reduce the file to a smaller set of slides.
- Upload the reduced file into Create.
- Repeat the process until you identify the specific slide or slides causing the issue.
For example, you can test the first five slides, and then the next five slides until you identify the affected slide. You can also test a smaller number of slides to refine your results.
Modify Affected Slides
Once you identify the affected slide, update the slide content based on the issue described in the table below.
| Issue | Solution |
| Slides with more than 100 elements | Replace multiple visual elements that form a single image with one screenshot or image file. |
| Slides with grouped objects |
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| Slides with complex images | Save the image as a .jpg file or take a screenshot, then replace the original object with the simplified image. |
| Slides with freeform shapes | Save the shapes as a .jpg file or take a screenshot, then replace the original shapes with the simplified image. |
| Slides with placeholders | Delete the placeholders and replace them with actual content. |
Save an Object as a JPG File
Some slide elements can be simplified by saving them as a JPG image and adding them to the presentation again.
To save a slide element as a JPG, follow these steps:
- Select the object on the slide.
- Right-click the object.
- Click Save as Picture.
- Select JPEG File Interchange Format (*.jpg).
- Choose a save location.
- Click Save.
Issues with Fonts and Text Alignment
Font substitution and object placement can affect how text appears after conversion in Create.
Font Differences
If text font, size, or placement appears different in Create, the PowerPoint file may be using a font that is not available in Create.
To maintain font consistency, confirm that the font exists in Create with the exact same name before uploading the .pptx file. The font name is case-sensitive, and must match exactly in both Create and the PowerPoint presentation to avoid errors. Extra spaces or dashes in font names can also cause errors, and should be removed prior to adding the font.
Text Alignment Differences
Text alignment errors can occur due to a missing font or object placement on presentation slides. These issues are often reduced or resolved when the correct font is available in Create. Prior to file conversion, confirm that slide objects remain fully within the slide frame, since partially off-frame objects can shift during the conversion.
Avoid mixing multiple text formats within the same text box when possible. In some cases, Create may apply formatting based on the first word in the text box. After upload, you can adjust formatting directly in Create if needed.
Missing Slide Title
Missing slide titles in Create are usually caused by the title structure in the original PowerPoint file.
Slides Displayed as Untitled
Each slide in the PowerPoint file should contain a title box with the corresponding title for Create.
If a slide does not contain a title box, the slide is imported as Untitled.
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