Keynote cannot open a .key file

Question

Level 1

8 points

Keynote cannot open a .key file

I am unable to open or work on any Keynote documents. I get an error popup graphic that reads: Unable to open "FILE.key" because it isn't a valid Keynote document. I'm assuming that the same problem will occur in Numbers and Pages as well, I just haven't used either of those programs in a very long time so I don't have a file to test them on.

I know that the file is indeed a valid Keynote document. I recently had to reinstall my iWork 09 package from the original software discs - I did not purchase them through the App store or through my iCloud account. I do have a software key. I cannot upgrade my OS to Sierra at this time because I have other software that I must use for work and tech support as told us we cannot upgrade just yet. My current OS is El Capitan 10.11.6, and I have a 15" MacBook Pro Retina.

Any advice on getting Keynote working again until I can make the upgrade to Sierra?

Thanks in advance.

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), 15" retina display

Posted on Oct 7, 2016 8:25 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 20, 2016 9:13 PM in response to DJCasting

Now that you have 5.3 installed, perform the procedure I suggested previously again:

1

right click on one of the files that won't open
select Get Info
in the Open With dropdown menu, select Keynote 5.3
click on Change All

2

Create a one slide test, save it to the desktop then double click the file to open it.

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Answer 2

Oct 7, 2016 2:23 PM in response to DJCasting

Sounds like your trying to use Keynote 09 to open a file created by Keynote 6.

Keynote 09 can't open version 6 files as they are a different file format.

If thats the case, Purchase and Install Keynote 6 from the Mac App Store.

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Answer 3

DJCasting Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 8, 2016 8:01 AM in response to Gary Scotland

Tried to buy it on the App Store and it won't let me purchase it because I have not upgraded to Sierra, which I cannot do at this time. Thing is it was working correctly before. I made the document, sent it off, and the next time I tried to access the file I got that error. In fact, I can open Keynote and make new docs all day, I just can't open them later. I reinstalled the software on the advice of a Genius. It's annoying that I have to pay again for software I already own, and insult to injury I am not able to even throw money at the problem and re-purchase it.

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Answer 4

DJCasting Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 13, 2016 7:38 PM in response to Gary Scotland

Well, I think I'm getting closer. I installed the update. I now have Keynote 09 version 5.3 (1170) but I still cannot open the document. However the error message has changed to: "You need a newer version of Keynote to open this presentation. You can download the latest version of Keynote from the Mac App Store."

So while the update was a good one I'm still stuck. Can't get the update from the App Store unless I upgrade to Sierra. Can't update to Sierra until my job gives the go ahead. SIGH.

Thank you for all of your help and good thought on this Gary Scotland. I appreciate it. If you have any other ideas I'm certainly open. Otherwise I think I have to wait for the OK to update my OS.

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Answer 5

DJCasting Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 20, 2016 9:14 PM in response to Gary Scotland

I don't see an option to Open With Keynote 5.3 - it just says Keynote, even though I can see that it is version 5.3. My older Keynote files will not open, but I did create a test slide and that one did. I will keep trying to work with it. Thank you so much.

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