Keynote 6 doesn't open older files

First you said you updated, therefore if you have not deleted Keynote 5.3 or are using a different Mac, the previous version it is still avaialable in the iWork 09 folder in Applications. You should use that.

Alternativley, either find the old version and install it, open files using a Mac that has Keynote 5.3 installed, buy iWorks 09 from ebay or re-do the presentation in Keynote 6.1.

The best advice is; use 5.3 for existing presentations, use 6.1 for new presentations.

Themis Matsoukas, you rock! I had the very same issue and really needed to resolve it. Converting to PowerPoint (although somewhat counterintuitive) did the trick.

I know this is an old thread, but I ran into the problem today. Apple support was only "Load it in the old '09 and export it again". They even suggested trying Microsoft products to convert it! Amazing! Anyway, if you're interested, there is at least a hack to get it to work. Haven't written a script to do this in general, but it worked for me.

1) Make a copy of your file, say blah08.key to blah09.key

2) in the new copy, blah09.key, control-click and "Show Package Contents"

3) There is a file called index.apxl (or possibly index.apxl.gz). If the .gz, then double-click and you get the without the .gz (and delete the .gz version)

4) Control-click the index.apxl, open with "Other" and choose TextEdit

5) In the big mess at the beginning (first couple lines), there is key:version="72007061400". Change this to key:version="92008102400"

6) Save the file, and exit TextEdit

7) Rename the new copy, blah09.key, without the .key part - blah09. You'll get a complaint about removing the extension - do it anyway.

8) Now it's a folder! Control-click the folder blah09, and compress, making a blah09.zip.

9) Rename blah09.zip to blah09.key - again a complaint, but do it anyway.

Poof! Openable again! Let me know if it works.

Why Apple doesn't include this easy fix, I have no idea.

Why Apple doesn't include this easy fix, I have no idea.

Your information is outdated, the latest version of Keynote can open every previous file version.

Really? I am running Keynote 6.5.2 which seems to be the latest version (see here https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/keynote/id409183694?mt=12) and it can't open old files. That was this morning. Do you have a fix for this? My hack at least let's me open them, although I'll be the first to admit that it is suboptimal.

thanks,

bb

Try resetting Keynote, perform all the steps in the order listed:

1. remove Keynote version 6.5, you must use an application removal tool for this procedure to work: Appcleaner is free, I use Appzapper
2. empty the trash
3. Shut Down the Mac (Apple menu > Shut Down)
4. wait 10 seconds, then press the power button
5. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold down the Shift key, release the Shift key when you see the grey Apple screen
6. start up will take a few minutes longer than usual as the Mac is performing a repair routine
7. restart the Mac normally, (don’t hold down any keys during startup)
8. install Keynote from the Mac App Store

Sorry, that doesn't work for me. 😕

Hi,

I tried your scheme, but it doesn't work for me.

My Keynote files were made under Snow-Leopard on an iMac with Keynote 8 (version 4.04).

I tried this on a week old MacBool Pro.

It is incredible that Apple has chosen this route.
They assume that we all still have Keynote 9 on a Maverick machine to do all the preparations (which in itself is a crying shame)

for making the file readable by Yosemite. Otherwise I should buy Version 9, which is a financial burden for a short time use.

Apple is worse than Microsoft in backwards compatibility.

Sorry, that doesn't work for me. 😕

What problem are you having?

Jumping in to a discussion without any basic information about the issue you are having makes it impossible to help you.

My Keynote files were made under Snow-Leopard on an iMac with Keynote 8 (version 4.04).

Keynote 6.5 running in Yosemite can open files created by any previous version.

Right now changing content from files created in Keynote 3 using version 6.5.

As others noted already my version of Keynote on a week old MacbookPro does not open files older than version 9.

Your proposed fix involves a final new download of Keynote fromm the AppStore.

But afaik this will involve a payment of some 20 dollars, which I hate to pay for Apple's unfriendly behaviour.

I haven't seen a way to download new copies of the applications that Apple bundles with the delivery of the computer.

Is there a way?

this will involve a payment of some 20 dollars, which I hate to pay for Apple's unfriendly behaviour.

No it does not, once you purchase an application from the Mac App Store, future download and install are unlimited and are free as long as you use the same Apple ID.

Open and log in to the Mac AppStore application, select Purchases tab, click Install next the Keynote.

To force an Install again, Keynote must be completely removed from the Mac as outlined in my procedure earlier.

Gary,

I sure wished I had your version of Keynote 6.5, because mine only shows me the window: "can't open file because it is too old. save first with Keynote 09".

Any idea what could be the difference?

Keynote doesn't show up under purchases (before deleting). It was installed when I got the machine, so probably not tied to my apple id. I am certainly not going to delete it unless I know I can get it back! 🙂

any way to check that? How are those installs done anyway, when you order (In fact it was my school that ordered it).

thanks.

bb