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NEW Keynote error [titlehere].key "can't be opened"

Hey guys, I have a new iMac and Keynote is causing some major issues.

I'm constantly getting this error: "PresentationNameHere.key" can't be opened." [OK]

I did some googling, and the issue seems consistent with moving files through a server/email/dropbox.

These files WERE moved across a server to my new computer, but I work across servers all day, so I really need to know how to fix it!!


I've tried the fix where you add ".zip" and then open the zipped file etc, but it doesn't work for me.


It seems that some combo of zipping/unzipping, changing the filename to letters only (no numbers or spaces), then resetting the computer several times does work - I've been able to open a couple of Keynote files this way, though I'm not sure exactly which part worked and how to replicate it. These files have also become unopenable again at a later time, for apparently no reason.

Any help would be appreciated.

Keynote 6.5.1

OS X Yosemite 10.10.2

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on May 11, 2015 8:25 PM

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8 replies

May 12, 2015 6:21 PM in response to Gary Scotland

Just updated and the files that were working (using the above resetting 5 times method) immediately produced the error again.

I don't know why this worked, but here's what I just did:

Added .zip to fixed.key, changed the filename to fixedfixed.key.zip, unzipped [still got error], opened a different keynote off iCloud [that file opened], tried my fixedfixed.key file again, it opened. Other keynote files are still producing the error.

User uploaded file

May 13, 2015 1:16 AM in response to RikkiB

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
    start up will take a few minutes longer than usual as the Mac is performing a software repair
  6. Restart the Mac normally, (don’t hold down any keys during startup)
  7. Install Keynote from the Mac App Store

Jun 14, 2015 6:28 PM in response to Gary Scotland

A few weeks later the exact same problem has started happening again. Most Keynote files won't open, plus I can't place images in any keynote presentation.


It doesn't seem that there has be an automatic update, and I can't think of anything at all that has changed.

I followed the above instructions again, but it hasn't worked this time.


User uploaded file

User uploaded file

Jun 14, 2015 6:45 PM in response to RikkiB

I just put the file on the server, logged out, then opened it in Keynote under a Guest user profile, and it was fine.

Logged back in to my profile, and the file (on desktop, not the same file I shared) now works perfectly.

So my new fix for now is to log out, log in as a guest, then log back into my profile again.

NEW Keynote error [titlehere].key "can't be opened"

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