It can be incredibly frustrating when you try to export a PowerPoint presentation to Word for editing or printing handouts, only to get the error “PowerPoint can’t locate Microsoft Word”. This seemingly random error prevents you from seamlessly transferring content between Office applications.
Fortunately, there are several potential solutions for resolving this issue. In this blog post, I will walk you through the top troubleshooting tips to fix the “PowerPoint can’t locate Word” error, so you can go back to efficiently publishing presentations.
Confirm Word is Properly Installed
The first thing to check is whether Word is properly installed on your computer. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features and verify if Microsoft Word appears in the list of installed applications.
If Word is missing, you will likely need to reinstall it. Access your Office account online to download and run the full Word installer. After Word finishes installing, try exporting your presentation again.
Disable Office Add-ins
Problematic add-ins are a common culprit behind Office errors. To rule out conflicts:
- Open Word/PowerPoint while holding the CTRL key, which launches the application in safe mode with all add-ins disabled.
- Try exporting your presentation now. If the error goes away, an add-in is likely causing issues.
- Return to normal mode and systematically disable add-ins under File > Options > Add-ins until you isolate the problematic one. You can then leave it disabled or remove it completely.
Repair Office Installation
Corrupted Office system files can also prevent proper communication between applications. To repair your installation:
- Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office.
- Click Change and select Repair. Choose Online Repair if available.
- Restart your computer after the repair finishes.
Now when you attempt to export your presentation, the applications should sync properly.
Update Windows and Office
Outdated system files and software can sometimes lead to compatibility issues and errors.
Ensure Windows and Office are fully updated:
- For Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security. Install any available updates.
- For Office, click File > Account to access your Office account portal. Install the latest Office updates.
Create New Presentation
As a workaround, you can create a new PowerPoint presentation and insert all the slides from your existing, problematic presentation.
Save and export this new presentation to see if you can avoid the error. If successful, you know something in the original file’s formatting or metadata is causing the problem.
Break Up Large Presentations
Users have reported more success exporting smaller PowerPoint files to Word. If you have a very large presentation:
- Break it up into multiple smaller presentations of 50 slides or less.
- Export each smaller presentation successfully to Word.
- Then combine the multiple Word documents into one.
While inconvenient, this workaround lets you print your handouts or utilize Word editing capabilities.
Try Third-Party Conversion Tools
If all else fails, use a dedicated PowerPoint-to-Word conversion utility. Options like PDFelement provide enhanced formatting control and may avoid the export error altogether.
While paid software, a one-time purchase is likely still cheaper than upgrading to Microsoft 365 for troubleshooting assistance. These tools convert files directly on your PC for total reliability.
When to Contact Microsoft Support
If you have attempted all troubleshooting steps with no success, it’s time to contact Microsoft Support:
- Chat with a technician online to troubleshoot further
- Have them remote access your computer for hands-on diagnosis
- Consider paying for premium support to access advanced technical help
While frustrating, this error preventing PowerPoint and Word syncing typically has a resolution. With persistence and the right help, you can get back to seamlessly publishing presentations in no time.
