Formatting

File Format

• Slide decks MUST be PPT or PPTX or PDF
  • Keynote and Google Slides are not supported unless converted to PDF first - see the PDFs tab for more information
  • Using PowerPoint and PDF in the same event is not recommended and may result in animation loss and significant image degradation. Use one format only.
  • For best results and image clarity, a single format (PDF or PPT) should be used. 
• Each deck should be 50 mb or less
• The file name should be 160 characters or less and NOT contain periods in the title - for example "slideDeckV2.5"
• The deck should not be password-protected
• The deck should not be locked for editing (this includes marking the deck as final)

Event Specifications

• You may upload up to 10 slide decks per event
• Your slide deck should have a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio and begin with slide number 0 or 1
• Slide Deck should be no more than 50 MB in size  

Deck Specifications

• The deck should not have read-only embedded fonts
• The deck should not have links to external content
• Only one master slide is permitted
• Highlighted text is not supported
• Embedded objects, such as SmartArt, Audio, Excel, Video, etc., are not supported.
• Embedded chart animations are not supported.
• Slide elements should fit within slide margins
• Custom Bullets are not currently supported (standard bullets only)
• Animated GIFs may be used in PowerPoints, but are not guaranteed to work during the event as they are not fully supported
  • If using GIFs, they must be optimized for web usage and have a small file size
  • Make changes to the GIF before uploading to your PowerPoint

Aspect Ratio

The slide dimensions are set by the Slides engagement tool in the console. For example, if the Slide tool is set to 640x480, the slide deck will be uploaded at those dimensions. Please check both the height and width are even numbers, or you may encounter problems during slide conversion.

We recommend that everything is finalized on your console and slide deck before uploading it to the console. Use the chart below as a guide to help you determine the proper size for your Slide engagement tool.

Common Slide Engagement Tool Dimensions

If the aspect ratio of the slide deck is different than the Slides engagement tool, an alert message will appear (shown below).  You can open the Console Builder to set the Slides tool to the correct aspect ratio.

Using PowerPoints

Tips to Maximize Legibility

• In PowerPoint, check the box for "Do Not compress images in the file" (File...Options...Advanced..Image Size and Quality)
• Use larger font sizes than you would typically (Click here to view the fonts we currently have installed)
• Use simple design elements and solid color blocks
• When needing to present complex graphs, large photos, or screenshots with fine details sharing your screen (using Screen Share ), instead of using a slide is your best option.

Avoid Using

• When saving slide decks, avoid using a period in the file's title (e.g., Sales Kickoff v.2).  Doing so will produce an error message when attempting to upload the slides as a resource to the Resource List engagement tool. Instead of using a period, add an underscore.
• Type size smaller than 20-point type
• Embellished fonts (text with shadows, angles, special effects, or highlighted)
• Textured or gradient backgrounds
• Slide numbering on the slide Header, Footer, or Master slide
• Slide Timings - slides should only be set to advance slide on mouse click

PowerPoint Transitions

Slide transitions are supported for PowerPoints (except for the MORPH transition exclusive to Office 365). 

Note: ALL transitions need to be set to On Mouse Click under Advance Slide.  The After box should remain unchecked. 

If there is an advance timing set, the slide will move automatically in your event - potentially interrupting the presenter flow.

Check each slide under the Transition tab in your PowerPoint to ensure there are no timings set.  

PowerPoint Animations

Many animations are allowed for PowerPoint decks.  The first Slide Animation must be set to Start on Click.

Unsupported Animations

*Supported on text element only

Using PDFs

PDF files are supported and can be uploaded in the same area as PPT files in your event setup or overview page. 

Google Slides and Apple Keynotes cannot be uploaded to an event as is - they must be converted to a PDF first.  For help converting to PDF, click on the links below:

• Google Slides to PDF
• Apple Keynote to PDF

Notes:

• If using PDF, the conversion process to PDF will not maintain any animations, transitions, or animated GIFs. 
• When converting Google Slides or Apple Keynote to PDF, custom PDF fonts sometimes may not convert correctly. Try saving the PDF as Press Quality, which may resolve the issue.

Uploading Slides

Slides can be uploaded from either the Overview tab of your event or in Elite Studio.

Event Overview

From the Overview tab of your event, scroll down to Upload Your Media.  Drag and drop files or click Upload to find files on your network.

Elite Studio

Log in to Elite Studio as a Producer to upload slides.

If no presentation elements have been uploaded or created, you will see an arrow icon in the Live View window prompting you to upload content. Click this arrow or open the Setup tool from the menu. 

From the Slides tab in the Setup window, upload your PowerPoint or PDF.  Click the arrow icon and select the file from your network or click and drag your file to this area to upload.

Slides will upload first then convert. You can change tabs or close the panel while the file uploads/converts in the background.

Managing Slides

Once slides have been uploaded and converted, they will appear in the Slides tab of Elite Studio.  

To upload additional files click the Arrow icon or drag the file to the box.

To replace the existing file, click the Replace icon copy and select the updated file.  The first slide deck you upload cannot be deleted, it can only be replaced.

To download the existing file, click the Download icon.

Hiding Slides

You can hide the slides by clicking the Hide  (eye with a slash) icon at the lower right. This will prevent the slide from being shown to the audience and will grey out the slide thumbnail. Hidden elements cannot be shared with the audience.

Note: Slide decks and individual slides cannot be deleted, only replaced or hidden.

Troubleshooting

Under rare circumstances, if a slide deck gets stuck in the conversion process, the system will detect the conversion is stuck. Then, the system will automatically cancel the conversion and email the primary account holder to re-upload the slide deck.

Note: If there is an error when converting the slide deck, an alert will ask you to upload the deck again. A similar warning will also display within Elite Studio.
 

PowerPoint - Deck Flattening and Unselectable Objects

If an uploaded PowerPoint file is corrupted or damaged, the system will email the primary account email address and then re-upload the PowerPoint in a flattened state.  

The most common reason for slide decks failing to upload is unselectable objects.

The video below reviews deck flattening, what an unselectable item is, and how to find and correct them so your PowerPoint uploads correctly.

Note:  Our conversion servers have to select every slide element to convert them. You may need to reach out to Microsoft Support for help with unselectable content. If this is not addressed, all future attempts to upload this deck will result in the same problem.

• Flattening the slide deck will automatically remove animations - if you wish to keep the animations, you can fix the slide deck in PowerPoint and re-upload the slide deck.
• If you need help identifying the issue(s) with your slide deck, please submit a case for technical support and attach your slide deck to the ticket.
• Note: If your PowerPoint does not upload as expected, please do not continue to upload your PowerPoint as this will exacerbate the issue and prolong the time it takes to resolve. Please submit a case for technical support and attach your slide deck to the ticket so our team can assist you.