PPT97: Hyperlinks in Converted PowerPoint 7.0 File Don't Work

ID: Q166968

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you click a hyperlink during a PowerPoint slide show, you receive the following error message:

   PowerPoint could not locate or start <URL path>.

This error occurs when you open a PowerPoint for Windows 95 version 7.0 presentation in PowerPoint 97, and then attempt to activate the link.

CAUSE

This error occurs because PowerPoint 97 handles hyperlink information differently than PowerPoint 7.0, where hyperlink information is stored as a Run Program action setting. In PowerPoint 97, hyperlink information is stored as a Hyperlink To action setting. When PowerPoint 97 opens a PowerPoint 7.0 presentation, it does not automatically convert a Run Program action setting to a Hyperlink To action setting.

RESOLUTION

To convert the hyperlink, follow these steps:

1. Open the presentation in PowerPoint.

2. Click the object that has the hyperlink applied to it.

3. On the Tools menu, click Action Settings.

4. In the Run Program box, select the text, and then press Command+C.

5. Click to select the Hyperlink To option.

6. In the Hyperlink To list, click URL.

7. Click in the URL box, and then press Command+V.

8. Click OK two times.

9. Repeat steps 1 through 8 for each hyperlink you want to convert.

MORE INFORMATION

To add a hyperlink to a PowerPoint 7.0 slide show, follow these steps:

1. Insert a graphic or create a drawing object.

2. Select the object.

3. On the Tools menu, click Interactive Settings.

4. In the Run Program box, type the URL you want to link to.

5. Click OK.

To add a hyperlink to a PowerPoint 97 slide show, follow these steps:

1. Insert a graphic or create a drawing object.

2. On the Tools menu, click Action Settings.

3. Click to select the Action Settings option.

4. Click to select the Hyperlink To option.

5. In the Hyperlink To list, click URL.

6. In the URL box, type the URL you want to link to.

7. Click OK two times.

For more information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q165210
   TITLE     : PPT97: Action Button Doesn't Launch Sound or Movie Object

Keywords          : kbdta kbconversion kbhtml
Version           : WINDOWS:97; MACINTOSH:98
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Hardware          : MAC x86
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: November 25, 1998