Microsoft KB Archive/153832

PPT: Unable to Edit Word 5.x Objects in PowerPoint for Windows

PSS ID Number: Q153832 Article last modified on 07-08-1998

MACINTOSH:4.0,5.0,98; windows:4.0,7.0

MACINTOSH WINDOWS

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= SYMPTOMS =

When you attempt to edit a Word 5.x object embedded in a PowerPoint presentation, you may receive a message similar to one of the following:

The server application, source file, or item cannot be found. You should reinstall the server application.

-or-

The server application, source file, or item cannot be found. Make sure the program is properly installed, and that it has not been deleted, moved, or renamed.

The only option you have is to click OK. You are unable to edit the object.

This problem only occurs when you open the PowerPoint presentation on the Windows operating system.

= CAUSE =

Word 5.x for the Macintosh objects are not updated or converted. When you double-click a Word 5.x object, PowerPoint looks in the Windows registry for a Word 5.x object entry. Because there is no Word 5.x object entry available, PowerPoint displays the “server application” error message.

= RESOLUTION =

To resolve this problem, use any of the following methods.

Method 1: Update the Word Object to Word 6 or 98
Use Word 6.0 or 98 to embed the Word object into your PowerPoint presentation. If you are using Word 6.0 or later for Windows, you should now be able to successfully edit the object.

Method 2: Ungroup the Object in Macintosh PowerPoint
Use the following steps to ungroup the Word object and edit the text as PowerPoint objects:

  Make a back-up copy of your PowerPoint file. (Ungrouping an object severs the connection with the application that created it.)   Click the Word 5.x object to select it. If selected, you should see handles surrounding the object.   Click Ungroup on the Draw menu. You should see a message similar to the following: This is an imported object, not a group. Converting it to PowerPoint objects will permanently discard any embedded data or linking information it may contain. Convert to PowerPoint objects?   Click OK to Ungroup the object. 

You should now be able to modify the text.

= Additional query words: 4.00 open =

Keywords : kbinterop kbole Version : MACINTOSH:4.0,5.0,98; windows:4.0,7.0 Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS Hardware : MAC Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.