Cross-device PPT Compatibility

Will I be able to see the PPT on any device?

Being in the presentation design industry for over 20 years, we know the importance of checking compatibility of your presentations across devices. Very often we design presentations that are expected to be shared with multiple stakeholders who have different devices, hardware and operating systems.

So, how do you ensure that the perfect looking presentation on your screen looks exactly same when others see it?

Well, we can't deny the fact that the operating systems and even hardware capabilities are distinct, and there may be some hiccups that you will face. For example, it’s not unusual for your company to have both Windows and Mac computers, especially for large companies that may have different departments in separate global locations.


Here are few pointers to avoid the last minute surprises arising due to device compatibility issues.

  • Know your target device (in case of event presentations)
    The best way, although not always possible, is trying to understand the primary device to be used to play your PPT. If we know the device type in advance, we can be fully prepared while designing the PPT.
  • Update MS Office version
    Many compatibility issues are resolved if you keep your software updated. Use Windows Update in your computer to make sure your version is the newest available.
  • Compatibility Checker
    The Compatibility Checker option checks the PPT for any reports specific features that may be compromised, and what will not work. But, this option is useful only to check issues with older versions of PowerPoint on Windows — it doesn’t report on problems with PowerPoint for macOS.
  • Use device safe fonts
    Use fonts that can be found as standard on Windows and Mac. These include Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, Courier New, Verdana, Tahoma, Trebuchet MS, etc.

Finally, don’t expect that all features work on all versions, mac and windows. The best way to ensure this is to use VERY BASIC PPT features that are certain to be supported across versions. For example, if you use a non-standard media format, like video or an audio, it may not playback as desired across devices.