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How to open .PPSM files on Linux

To open .PPSM files on Linux, if you do not have Microsoft PowerPoint available, transfer the file to a Windows or macOS system with PowerPoint for the most reliable opening and macro handling.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. If you do not have Microsoft PowerPoint available, transfer the file to a Windows or macOS system with PowerPoint for the most reliable opening and macro handling.
  2. If you only need to view slides and do not need macros, try a compatible presentation viewer/editor that supports PowerPoint formats; macro behavior may not be supported.

Common issues

Macros are disabled or the presentation doesn’t behave as expected

PPSM files can contain VBA macros, but PowerPoint may block them by default depending on security settings and where the file came from (for example, downloaded from the internet). If macros are blocked, automation or custom controls in the slide show may not work.

  1. Confirm you trust the source of the .ppsm and that you actually need macros for the slide show to work.
  2. Open the file in Microsoft PowerPoint and follow the in-app prompt/policy guidance to enable macros only if appropriate.

Opens in the wrong app or doesn’t start in Slide Show view

If file associations are incorrect, double-clicking may open the file in a different program or not start the slide show experience you expect.

  1. Set Microsoft PowerPoint as the default app for .ppsm on your system (Open with → Choose another app → PowerPoint → Always).
  2. From PowerPoint, use File → Open to load the .ppsm and then start Slide Show if it doesn’t auto-launch.

Can’t open the file in a non-PowerPoint app

Some presentation apps can view OOXML presentations but do not fully support macro-enabled slide show variants or embedded VBA macros.

  1. Open the .ppsm in Microsoft PowerPoint for best compatibility, especially if the file relies on macros.
  2. If you only need to view the slides, ask the sender for a non-macro show format (such as .ppsx) or a non-macro presentation format, depending on their requirements.

Security note

.ppsm is macro-enabled and can contain VBA macros; enabling macros can execute automated actions. Only enable macros when you trust the file’s origin and intended behavior.

Back to .PPSM extension page