PPT97: Cannot Use Playlist File in PowerPoint 97

ID: Q190405

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When trying to use a playlist (.lst) file in Microsoft PowerPoint you may receive the following error message:

   PowerPoint can't read <file name of playlist file> because the .lst
   file format is no longer supported. For more information about
   showing multiple presentations, see PowerPoint Help.

CAUSE

Playlist (.lst) files are not supported in PowerPoint; they are only supported in PowerPoint Viewer.

RESOLUTION

If you want to run a series of presentations as slide shows in PowerPoint, you can use a batch file. To create the batch file, follow these steps:

1. In a text editor, such as Notepad, create a list of the presentations

   you want to run. To do this, use the following syntax:

      start <path>\powerpnt.exe /s <path>\<presentation.ppt>

   For example, if you have two presentations, Myfile1.ppt and
   Myfile2.ppt, create your list so that it looks similar to this
   example:

      start c:\powerpnt\powerpnt.exe /s c:\powerpnt\myfile1.ppt
      start c:\powerpnt\powerpnt.exe /s c:\powerpnt\myfile2.ppt

   NOTE: If your path, including the presentation file name, does not
   follow the MS-DOS 8.3 naming convention (in other words, it is long or
   contains spaces), enclose the path and file name inside quotation
   marks, like this:

      start "c:\ppt 95\powerpnt.exe" /s "c:\my documents\file 1.ppt"

   NOTE: You do not need to enclose a path that follows the MS-DOS 8.3
   naming convention in quotation marks. Doing so may cause the batch
   file to fail.

2. Save this file with a .bat extension.

3. Start Windows Explorer. Right-click the file and then click Properties

   on the menu that appears.

4. Click the Program tab. From the Run list, click Minimized.

5. Click to select the Close On Exit check box.

6. Click OK.

NOTE: This procedure creates a shortcut to your batch file. You can move this shortcut to your desktop or put it on your Start menu.

To run the batch file, double-click it in My Computer or Explorer, or double-click the shortcut.

The result is very similar to a playlist; the presentations play in order. The only difference is that you will see your desktop for a moment between presentations.

Additional query words: winppt ppt95 ppt7 ppt97 w_powerpt powerpnt powerpnt play lists .LST ppview97.exe ppview32.exe

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbusage
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Hardware          : x86
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: January 5, 1999