PowerPoint (PPT) files not working as expected in SongShow Plus - not properly installed.

Applicable SongShow Plus Versions: 
This article applies to SongShow Plus 9.x and Later

 * Updates correcting this issue may be available. Ensure that you are using the most current build of SongShow Plus from the Download page before proceeding. *

UPDATE: Before proceeding, review the updates to Microsoft PowerPoint use in SongShow Plus found here.

Symptom:

When attempting to use PowerPoint slideshows in SongShow Plus, they are not working as expected or possibly at all. Features or timings may not work as expected or at all.  In some cases the PPT file may have a delay in presenting or may not display at all. This would include both playback and importation of PowerPoint files and/or content. The user may simply receive a message that PowerPoint may not be properly installed.

Preferred Solution:
Use the very powerful and feature rich Slide Builder that comes with SongShow Plus to create your slide shows. This tool is available to all SongShow Plus users (Projection and FREE Workstations) and eliminates the need for the use of Microsoft PowerPoint.  Slide Builder is fully compatible with SongShow Plus and does have import tools to convert PowerPoint slides to static image files.


NOTE:  The causes/solutions listed below are accumulated over time and cover a wide array of specific issues as well as older versions of SongShow Plus.  Before going thorough all of these (or other KB articles) regarding specific cases, please check that you are using the currently recommended PowerPoint and SongShow Plus guidance and settings found in the following articles - FAQ022  TS293  TS296


Possible Cause:
A supported version of Microsoft PowerPoint is not properly installed or a required component is not installed. 
 
Possible Solution:
Web versions such as Office 365 or older deprecated players are not supported.  Refer to the following KB article for supported versions:
Does SongShow Plus™ support Microsoft PowerPoint® slide shows? (FAQ022)

Possible Cause:
The PowerPoint Support and/or Import Plug-ins are not installed or functioning correctly. (This only applies to the May 2009 and earlier releases)

Possible Solution:
Make sure you have the PowerPoint Support and PowerPoint Import Plug-ins are installed.  These may have been overlooked.  If they appear to be installed in the add/remove programs area but the controls are not available, un-install and reinstall the plug-in that is needed.

Possible Cause:
The SongShow Plus PowerPoint Support setting is not correct for the selected file. (This only applies to the May 2009 and earlier releases)
 
Possible Solution:
Check the PowerPoint control settings in the Tools -> Configure -> PowerPoint Support menu - If SSP Control (default) is not working for your selection, try changing to the PPT Control setting.

Possible Cause:
Prior execution of PowerPoint is still running in the background.  This may cause subsequent uses of PPT files to work erratically or not at all. 

Possible Solution:
Verify no additional sessions of PowerPoint are present using the task manager - terminate any that may be running. Properly terminate PPT sessions to avoid this in the future.

Possible Cause:
Some unsupported advanced PowerPoint features may be used in the PowerPoint in use. Features such as video, audio or hyperlinks in a PPT slideshow do not function inside SongShow Plus.
 
Possible Solution:
Examine the PowerPoint slideshow and eliminate any advanced features that may be causing the issue. 

Possible Cause:
Specifically with regard to the delay in presenting: Depending on the size of the PPT file, there may be a brief delay of a second or so, however if the delay is 3 seconds or longer it is most likely related to PowerPoint 2007.

Possible Solution:
Replace PPT 2007 with a later version of PowerPoint for use with SongShow Plus.

Possible Cause:
Specifically with regard to the case where it does not appear on the presentation output at all: If PowerPoint launches when presented and is only visible in the task bar this may be related to PowerPoint 2007 preventing the application focus from staying on the presented output during PPT display.  

Possible Solution:
This does not seem to occur all of the time and may be recovered by closing PowerPoint and re-presenting from within SongShow Plus. You could also replace PPT 2007 with a newer version of PPT - See KB FAQ022 for more information.

Possible Cause:
There may be an operating system or PowerPoint version issue.

Possible Solution:
Refer to FAQ022 for additional information.

If this article does not resolve the issue, contact the Support Team.

(TS49)