Shug45

Q: open file is not visible on desktop

I normally operate with an external display in addition to the MacBook display.  I am now on the road and trying to view a PowerPoint presentation on my MacBook alone.  The application shows that the presentation is open, and if I do a 4-finger drag on the trackpad, I can see where it is, but I can't see it on my normal desktop.

 

Any ideas??

 

Thanks - MacBook (late 2009) , MountainLion 10.8.5

MacBook (13-inch Late 2009), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Sep 30, 2013 11:36 AM

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Q: open file is not visible on desktop

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  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Sep 30, 2013 12:36 PM in response to Shug45
    Level 9 (69,813 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 30, 2013 12:36 PM in response to Shug45

    If it is not in your documents folder, try using Spotlight or a Spotlight alternative to find it.

     

    Alfred      reported to rely on Spotlight

     

    EasyFind – Spotlight Replacement

     

    Find Any File

     

    Quicksilver

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 30, 2013 2:09 PM in response to Shug45
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Sep 30, 2013 2:09 PM in response to Shug45

    Can you move it around in Mission Control? If so, move it to your current desktop.

  • by 72mgsrbest,

    72mgsrbest 72mgsrbest Mar 16, 2014 7:36 AM in response to Shug45
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 16, 2014 7:36 AM in response to Shug45

    Having the same problem and none of the solutions above fix it.  Any other ideas.  Incredibly frustrating.

  • by ssls6,

    ssls6 ssls6 Mar 16, 2014 11:51 AM in response to 72mgsrbest
    Level 4 (2,869 points)
    Mar 16, 2014 11:51 AM in response to 72mgsrbest

    Yeah, it happens to me a lot on my Macbook Air.  With the app in focus (but window hidden), select window on the top menu line and bring to front.  For example, let's say excel is running but you can't see the window.  The top menu line will say excel and have all the excel stuff, that is what I mean by "bring the app in focus"

  • by swat.vikas,

    swat.vikas swat.vikas Nov 18, 2014 9:07 AM in response to ssls6
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 18, 2014 9:07 AM in response to ssls6

    I had the same problem. I could see tiny dark shade on top right corner of my display. Also I could see the file when I right click on the power point icon on the dock and click "Show all Windows". But it was not showing on my display. I did similar to previous suggestion by clicking "Bring all to front" in the "Window" tab. But, It did not work. Then, I tried clicking "Zoom Window" in the "Window" tab and it opened the file on my display. So, i think it was out of scope of display area and minimized.

  • by dsreyburn,

    dsreyburn dsreyburn Apr 13, 2016 12:55 PM in response to Shug45
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 13, 2016 12:55 PM in response to Shug45

    Years late but in the hopes that this will help someone else from grinding the enamel off their molars in On The Road Rage, I just had this problem today and solved it.

     

    Try going to the top "Window" menu and then selecting "Zoom Window." Worked for me. Running 10.11.2/Powerpoint from Office 2011.

  • by Christy425,

    Christy425 Christy425 May 29, 2016 2:13 PM in response to dsreyburn
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 29, 2016 2:13 PM in response to dsreyburn

    Thank you, thank you! It was driving me crazy! Even years later, a response helps so much!

  • by Steve-Jams,

    Steve-Jams Steve-Jams Jul 20, 2016 6:41 PM in response to Shug45
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 20, 2016 6:41 PM in response to Shug45

    I've had this problem several times, always with MS Excel, and lately the "zoom window" option stopped working ... very frustrating.  I just tried View > Enter Full Screen and the spreadsheet popped up across the full screen, and trepidatiously I hit "esc" and it worked!  I hope it works for you if you're having this same problem.