3 Best Ways to Convert PowerPoint Presentations to Keynote

There are many reasons why you would want to convert PowerPoint presentation to Keynote format. Maybe you intend to send a PPTX or PPT file to a recipient with a Mac. Or maybe you received or downloaded a presentation as a PowerPoint file on your Mac.

Fortunately, converting a PowerPoint presentation from PPTX or PPT to KEY format is quite easy. Maybe even easier than you think. So without further ado, let’s go over three easy ways to help you do this.

1. Use ZamZar

On Windows, the most convenient way to convert a PowerPoint presentation to Keynote format is to use an online file conversion service. ZamZar was our choice for several reasons; the service has been around for almost 15 years and there was no other reputable file converter that could do PPTX to KEY conversions.

Step 1: Open ZamZar in your favorite web browser. Then click the Add Files button and upload the PPTX or PPT file you want to convert. The file should not exceed 50MB in file size.

Visit ZamZar

Note: ZamZar allows you to convert up to two PPTX files in up to 24 hours. If you want to convert more than that, you need to subscribe to a paid plan.

2nd step: Set the output format to KEY, then click Convert.

Step 3: Wait a few seconds while ZamZar converts the file. Then click on Download to save the converted presentation file locally.

However, there are a few issues that you should keep in mind while using a file conversion service like ZamZar. First of all, you need to be aware of the privacy implications. If the presentation contains sensitive information, it is best to avoid this method as there is no guarantee of where your data might end up.

Second, there are format issues to consider. Converted KEY files may not have the same formatting (eg fonts) as their original PPTX / PPT files. The problem is made even worse by the fact that PowerPoint (which you probably used to generate the presentation) doesn’t support KEY files, so there’s no way to verify either.

The following method is not only private and secure, but it also allows you to convert as many files as you want.

2. Use iCloud Keynote

The online version of iCloud Keynote also offers the option to convert PPTX files to KEY format. If you don’t have access to an iCloud account, you can create one for free here. You don’t need an iPhone, iPad, or Mac for this, although you only get a gigabyte of free storage instead of 5GB.

Step 1: After signing in to iCloud.com, select Keynote from the iCloud Launchpad.

2nd step: Download the PPTX or PPT file from your computer. You can also download multiple files simultaneously.

Step 3: Double click on the downloaded PPTX or PPT file. iCloud Keynote will process the file and open it.

Step 4: Check the file for formatting issues and other issues (such as missing fonts) and fix them.

Point: If you’re new to Keynote options and settings, check out our Keynote Basics guide.

After making the necessary changes, click the Keynote Tools icon, then click Download a Copy.

Step 5: Choose Keynote as the download format.

This should prompt iCloud Keynote to download a converted copy of the PowerPoint presentation to your computer. Repeat the procedure for any other presentations that you want to convert to Keynote format.

3. Convert using Keynote

If you are using Keynote on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you can open any PPTX or PPT file quite easily, as the app natively supports both formats. Converting them to KEY format is then as easy as saving them.

Keynote – Mac

Step 1: Double click on the PPTX or PPT file. Keynote will then briefly process the file and open it automatically.

2nd step: Keynote will notify you of any formatting issues in the presentation. Check the document and correct any errors.

Step 3: Open the File menu, then click Save or Save As (press the Option key to view) to save the file in KEY format.

Warning: If you click Save, you will overwrite the original PPTX or PPT file.

Keynote – iPhone and iPad

Step 1: Open the Keynote app, navigate to the location of the PPTX or PPT file, and then tap to open it.

2nd step: Check the presentation for any formatting issues. Next, tap on the option labeled Presentations at the top right corner of the Keynote app.

Step 3: You should then see a new KEY file in the same location as the original PPTX file.

Otherwise, sharing a PPTX file from another app to Keynote will automatically convert it to KEY format. You can then find the converted file in Files> iCloud Drive> Keynote.