MS office 2011 powerpoint freeze

Question

Level 1

6 points

MS office 2011 powerpoint freeze

Anyone have problems with Powerpoint 2011 (MS for MAC 2011) not responding to remote or keyboard advance of slides? This began about 2 months ago:When in Presenter View I'm unable to advance the slides/animate using any remote or even the keyboard. I can only do so by placing the cursor on the advance arrow on the slide.

I've tried this with several files, several projectors and the only common denomenator is that the presentation has been open for at least 20 minutes. When I trial it, first turn it on it works but not after that. Very frustrating and limiting as a professional speaker. I've been told it is an incompatibility issue between MS Office Powerpoint and my Macbook Air but that is not helpful. I've alerted MS and the one patch/update did not resolve it. I'm ready to purchase a small netbook: not what I want to do but have 10 presentations in the next month. Ideas? Suggestions?

MacBook Air, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Feb 27, 2013 10:39 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 28, 2013 4:53 PM in response to epflcswccm

Completely feel your frustration. I too am a professional trainer and this small issue has caused big problems during training workshops.

I thought it could have been about my macbook pro running OS 10.6.8 and Microsoft Powerpoint 2011 for mac version 14.3.1

But then it happened on someone else's Macbook air as well - grrrrrr

Reply

Answer 2

epflcswccm Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 28, 2013 5:09 PM in response to betteralternative

I have been able to use the files on non- apple products so was left with little choice: Today I purchased an Acer Aspire Netbook, and MS office 2013, not what I wanted to do but will not compromise the quality of my reputation while Aople and Microsoft dance this dance.

I'll use this machine until this issue resolves. My other thought was to transfer the presentations to Keynote, but I've never liked it very much. I've found Keynote doesn't offer the same diversity of themes, animation or perhaps enough for me.

It is disappointing that a patch hasn't been developed.

Reply

Answer 3

Feb 28, 2013 5:48 PM in response to epflcswccm

we are not alone with this issue, so that is some comfort. See this thread where lots of people are discussing this exact issue

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4804874?start=45&tstart=0

Reply

Answer 4

epflcswccm Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 28, 2013 6:01 PM in response to betteralternative

Oh my!

Reply

Answer 5

Mar 6, 2013 11:46 AM in response to epflcswccm

Hi - quick note as I'm right in the middle of a presentation. Been having this exact same issue for a couple of weeks now. On lunch I down loaded Keynote and am now running the Powerpoint through Keynote. Had issues all morning with PP and non so far this afternoon. Give it a try and let me know how it goes. Maybe this is Apples way of getting us to use Keynote (Hmmmmm!!) It's a quick $20 work around.

Reply

Answer 6

Mar 19, 2013 4:54 AM in response to epflcswccm

It's fantastic to discover I'm notable with this unbelievably frustrating experience.

Does anybody know what happened for the problem to just start a few weeks ago. Was it an update?

Reply

Answer 7

epflcswccm Author

Level 1

6 points

Mar 19, 2013 5:01 AM in response to missusmccallum

It was the Lion OS update at the end of January. I was all excited about the latest OS update; thought it would do the trick. I broke out my laptop, LCD projector and did a trial. After 15 minutes or more on a single slide, froze up again. Frequently my slides elicit discussion so this has to be fixed. It wasn't an issue prior and I'm frankly tired of the finger pointing that presents is happening between MAC and MS. 😠

Reply

Answer 8

Mar 28, 2013 10:08 AM in response to epflcswccm

I'm also a professional speaker/trainer and just experienced this issue. I was going crazy trying to troubleshoot it "on the fly." I suppose I'm glad to hear that it's a know issue. I'll try the Keynote suggestion. Is there a good way to stay aware of what Apple and MS may be doing to fix this?

Reply

Answer 9

Mar 30, 2013 9:58 AM in response to Mad_Matt2013

I have solved the problem by reinstalling office off the microsoft website (you just need your product code). It works perfectly again now.....phew!

Reply

Answer 10

Apr 13, 2013 9:46 PM in response to missusmccallum

WHEW - 2 steps back to move a whole lot forward. I too reinstalled Office from scratch as a lot of users suggested, including missusmccallum. Am running Office ver14.0.0

Delivered 2 days of corporate training and powerpoint worked just as it used to before - no freezing, all arrow keys working, clicker working...

what a relief.

Reply

Answer 11

Apr 15, 2013 9:32 AM in response to missusmccallum

Hey - many thanks. I did what you suggested and have not had a problem since. REALLY appreciate the suggestion and solution. And yes, what a relief!!

Reply

Answer 12

Apr 30, 2013 7:49 AM in response to epflcswccm

I confirm this behavior which started a few months ago. Presenter mode, two monitors, advance fails from remote and also from the keyboard. The only workaround I find is to exit the presentation mode, then restart from same slide.

I see the problem when: Two monitors, Presenter mode, Remote control. Happens with different brands of remote. I suspect it will happen without the remote, but I have not tested this.

I support several professional speakers who are having a devil of a time with this problem. Thanks for the suggestion of reinstall; will give it a try.

Reply

Answer 13

Apr 30, 2013 11:56 AM in response to epflcswccm

It's back!!! I did the re-install and, for a while, I thought that had done the trick. Just came back from presenting for two days and the issue came back again. I have to figure out if I did any updates recently.

Reply

Answer 14

Apr 30, 2013 1:31 PM in response to Sally Shears

Followup question for others... I see the problem with OS X 10.7.5 Lion and there is no problem on another machine with 10.8.3 Mountain Lion. Both are on PowerPoint 14.3.2

Is it possible that 10.8 fixes the problem??

Reply

Answer 15

Apr 30, 2013 5:13 PM in response to Sally Shears

Answered my own question: People are reporting the problem on Mountain Lion machines 10.8.x. Phooey.

Reply