File Sharing Problems

How to Fix PowerPoint Action Button Links Failing on Other Computers

Amos Gikunda Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to ensure PowerPoint action button links work correctly when the presentation is shared with other users on different computers.

How to Fix PowerPoint Action Button Links Failing on Other Computers

Product: PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing a presentation that contains action buttons linking to external presentation files.
Observed behavior: The action buttons fail to open the linked files on other computers because they default to full local file paths (absolute links) rather than portable relative links.

Before you start

Before editing your action buttons, gather all linked presentation files and ensure they are placed into the exact same folder as your main presentation on your computer.

Solution 1Recommended

Create Relative Links by Storing Files in the Same Folder

The most reliable way to make links work across different computers is to use relative paths by keeping all linked files in the same directory before creating the hyperlink.

When you link to a file in a different folder, PowerPoint creates an absolute link containing your full hard drive path (e.g., C:\Users\Name\Documents\file.pptx). By placing both files in the same folder first, PowerPoint automatically creates a relative link (just the filename), which remains intact when the folder is moved or shared.

Organize your files

Create a new folder on your computer. Move both your main presentation and the linked presentation (e.g., ANNOUNCEMENTS.pptx) into this folder.

Remove the broken link

Open your main presentation, locate the action button, right-click it, and select 'Remove Link' or 'Edit Hyperlink' to clear the absolute path.

Recreate the action button link

Right-click the action button and select 'Action Settings' or 'Hyperlink'. Choose to link to 'Other PowerPoint Presentation', then select the target file from your newly created shared folder.

Share the entire folder

When sending the presentation to another computer, you must share the entire folder (usually compressed as a ZIP file) so the relative paths remain intact.

Create Relative Links by Storing Files in the Same Folder

Check the Link Path: You can verify if the link is relative by hovering your mouse over the action button during the slideshow. If it shows a path starting with a drive letter (like C:\), it's an absolute path and will fail on other computers. It should only display the filename.

Solution 2

Provide Instructions for Recipients to Update Links

If you cannot set up relative links or the files must remain in separate directories, you can provide a quick guide for recipients to manually update the link paths on their machines.

Create Portable Presentation Links with WPS Presentation

WPS Presentation makes it easy to manage hyperlinks and action buttons, ensuring your interactive slides and relative links work seamlessly when shared with colleagues or presented on different devices.

1. Organize Files: Place your main presentation and all linked presentation files into a single folder.
2. Add Action Button: Open the main file in WPS Presentation, go to the 'Insert' tab, click 'Shapes', and draw an action button on your slide.
3. Configure the Link: Right-click the button, select 'Hyperlink', and choose the target file from the current folder to create a relative link.
4. Share the Folder: Compress the folder as a ZIP file and share it to ensure the links work perfectly on any computer.

Easily insert and manage relative links for action buttonsFully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) formatsLightweight software with a familiar, user-friendly interfaceFree to use for creating interactive presentations

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my PowerPoint hyperlinks change to absolute paths?

PowerPoint defaults to absolute paths (e.g., C:\Users\...) if the linked file is not saved in the exact same directory as the main presentation before the link is created. Always move the files together into the same folder before linking them.

Can I link to a specific slide in another presentation using an action button?

Yes. When setting up the hyperlink or action setting, select 'Other PowerPoint Presentation...', choose your target file, and then a dialog box will prompt you to select a specific slide within that presentation to link to.

How do I share a folder with linked presentations via email?

Since email services do not allow you to attach standard folders, you must compress the folder into a ZIP archive. Right-click the folder, select 'Compress to ZIP file' (or similar based on your OS), and attach the resulting ZIP file to your email.

Will these relative links work if I upload the presentation to Google Drive or OneDrive?

Relative links between files usually break when viewed directly in web-based cloud viewers. To ensure the action buttons function correctly, users will need to download the entire folder containing both files to their local computer and open them in a desktop presentation app.

Document & File Issues