MS PowerPoint "Can't open file" on iPad

[Big Byte]

The church I'm involved with has an M1 2020 MBP running Sequoia 15.1 and a 7th Generation iPad running iOS 18.1.

Both devices have Microsoft Office installed, including PowerPoint.

Every Sunday, I Airdrop an MS PowerPoint file from the MBP to the iPad, which I then open up on the iPad in MS PowerPoint and mirror to the church's TV to display that day's presentation. I have been doing this with little issue for the past couple of years.

Yesterday, I tried to Airdrop the presentation from the MBP to the iPad, but, when I tried to open up the file in MS PowerPoint on the iPad, I received a dialogue box stating: "Can't open file - Sorry, something went wrong and [file name] can't open".

I've since tried restarting the iPad, signing out of MS Office, and even resetting MS PowerPoint in Settings > Apps > PowerPoint, but nothing works. An internet search hasn't helped either. I have the same MBP and an iPad with MS Office installed, as well, and everything works fine. I can't figure out why the file won't download from the church's MBP to its iPad.

I've attached a screenshot of the error message for reference.

Any ideas what the problem may be?

Thanks.

 

[ferrarr]

Did you delete the file from the iPad and copy it over again? How big is the video file in size and length (gb & hh&mm)?

 

[Big Byte]

Did you delete the file from the iPad and copy it over again? How big is the video file in size and length (gb & hh&mm)?

Yes, I deleted and copied it several times, to no avail. The files are usually similar size (no video, a couple of pictures, and the rest is text).

But...

... I figured it out. I deleted MS PowerPoint from the iPad and downloaded it again from the App Store. Turns out, most of the MS Office Apps had available updates, so I figure that's what was needed.

Thanks for responding.

 

[pm-r]

ore. Turns out, most of the MS Office Apps had available updates, so I figure that's what was needed.

God lives one wondering what the updates were that would cause a PowerPoint file that used to work to not open and work.

Anyway, I'm glad to read you got everything working properly and I'm wondering if the recent PowerPoint file you were trying to open was made with an updated version of MS PowerPoint?

I always assumed, probably incorrectly, that updated software applications were supposed to stay backwards compatible with previous versions.




- Patrick
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[Big Byte]

I'm wondering if the recent PowerPoint file you were trying to open was made with an updated version of MS PowerPoint?

Could very well be, as I draft the presentations on the MBP (mine, at home, actually), and then transfer them to the church's iPad to display on their TV. If MS Office is automatically updated on the MBP (which may be, as I don't recall ever doing so myself), then they may not work on another device that is not updated.

I always assumed, probably incorrectly, that updated software applications were supposed to stay backwards compatible with previous versions.

A reasonable assumption, even if incorrect.