Microsoft KB Archive/68601

PowerPoint Only Imports HPGL Files with HGL Extensions PSS ID Number: Q68601 Article last modified on 10-29-1991 PSS database name: W_PowerPt

2.00

WINDOWS

Summary:

When attempting to import an HPGL file that does not have an .HGL filename extension, you will receive the following error message:

Sorry, “FILENAME.PLT” is not a type of file which can be pasted into PowerPoint

More Information:

PowerPoint for Windows will only import an HPGL file if it has an .HGL file extension. Renaming the file so that it has an .HGL extension will allow PowerPoint to successfully import the graphic.

PowerPoint has two graphics filters for importing plot files; one for AutoCad plot files, and one for Hewlett-Packard (HP) Graphics Language files. The AutoCad filter uses the .PLT extension, and the HPGL filter uses the .HGL extension. When importing a graphic, PowerPoint first checks the filename extension to determine which filter to use. Only files that have an extension matched by one of the installed PowerPoint import filters will show as being present when viewed in the Paste From dialog box under the File menu.

Corel DRAW! is a popular Windows application that exports HPGL files with a .PLT filename extension. The HiJaak graphics conversion utility uses the .PGL extension for its HPGL files.

If an HPGL file has a .PGL extension, the file will not show as being available in the Paste From dialog box. This is because PowerPoint does not have a “PGL” filter. If an HPGL file has a .PLT extension, it will be listed in the Paste From dialog box, but it will not import successfully. This is because the .PLT filter is exclusively for plot files created by AutoCad.

Reference(s):

“Microsoft Powerpoint for Windows User’s Guide,” pages 177-181.

Slide #11 in the HELP5.PPT presentation, located in HELP subdirectory under the POWERPNT directory. \xref

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1991.