November 11, 2018
Importing PowerPoint File into Captivate 2019
Comments
(6)
November 11, 2018
Importing PowerPoint File into Captivate 2019
Freelance eLearning developer. I currently work as a Learning Experience Designer where I create video courses for both public and private sector clients.
Newbie 14 posts
Followers: 10 people
(6)

The last time I tried to import a Microsoft PowerPoint file into to Captivate (CP 7) was for an assignment in my Master’s program. It was a nightmare! Recently, someone in the Captivate Facebook group asked a question about importing PowerPoint files into Captivate. I commented about the lack of functionality once the file is imported. If I remember correctly, with Captivate 7, the animations in the original file did not work. Another group member said the animations and importing files works perfectly in the updated version. I haven’t tried it since CP 7. Today, I decided to give it a try and I encountered my first issue. The background on the slides does not come over when importing. Is there a workaround for this?

6 Comments
2018-11-12 14:42:13
2018-11-12 14:42:13

Thanks for responding Lieve. I totally agree with you. Importing MS PowerPoint is not a good idea. I generally create from scratch. I was curious and wanted to see if this feature had been upgraded.  As I stated in my original post,  the last time I used the PowerPoint import feature was on a school project. Your workaround is perfect! I will try that. Thank you!

Like
(4)
>
Alexa Franklin-Burrell
's comment
2018-11-12 15:52:49
2018-11-12 15:52:49
>
Alexa Franklin-Burrell
's comment

Thanks so much for agreeing (some are angry when I write this critical note). Hope you can use the unzipping workaround.

Like
(1)
>
Lieve Weymeis
's comment
2018-11-12 17:42:42
2018-11-12 17:42:42
>
Lieve Weymeis
's comment

I accept that as opportunities to learn!

Like
>
Alexa Franklin-Burrell
's comment
2018-11-12 18:43:40
2018-11-12 18:43:40
>
Alexa Franklin-Burrell
's comment

That is the spirit of a great learner! Congratulations, love it when my trainees or students have such an attitude!

Like
(1)
>
Lieve Weymeis
's comment
2018-11-13 13:58:52
2018-11-13 13:58:52
>
Lieve Weymeis
's comment

Thank you!

Like
2018-11-12 09:42:37
2018-11-12 09:42:37

Sorry to be critical, but personally I NEVER use PPT to start an eLearning course, because a presentation tool is not meant to create eLearning, and as you were told, once the slides are imported, you cannot add a lot.

I see that you unchecked the option to maintain aspect ratio. That is a very bad idea. Captivate has to convert the print units used for a very unknown but weird reason in PPT to real screen units (pixels) as should be the case for all applications used mostly on screens. If you impose another width/height ratio you get distorted backgrounds.

If you are serious about creating eLearning, start in Captivate from scratch. You can unzip the PPT file which is a zipped folder. Take out all the assets and import them in a Captivate LIbrary. Then set up a good theme in Captivate, which can be partially based on the theme in PPT (but CP’s themes have lot more). Start with a color palette, then the object styles and master slides. That way you’ll have full control over everything and be able to create engaging courses, responsive or not.

Like
(3)
Add Comment