Office for Mac Issues

How to Import an Old PPS File with Music into PowerPoint on Mac

Camila Milosovich Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to import or merge an old PPS (PowerPoint Slide Show) file, complete with its original slides and background music, into a new PPTX presentation on a Mac.

How to Import an Old PPS File with Slides and Music into PowerPoint on Mac

Product: PowerPoint for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Attempting to insert an old PPS file into an existing PPTX presentation on a Mac using the Insert Object feature or dragging and dropping.
Observed behavior: The PPS file does not fully import, and background music or embedded content is lost because OLE technology has limited support on macOS.

Before you start

Ensure that the original PPS file and any associated sound files are placed in the exact same folder as your new PPTX presentation before starting to prevent broken media links.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a Relative Hyperlink to the PPS File

Since macOS lacks full OLE support, creating a hyperlink to the PPS file is the most reliable way to play it with music during your presentation.

Instead of trying to embed the older file natively, linking out to the slide show allows macOS to open the file independently, retaining original sound functionality.

Organize your files

Place both the old PPS file and your current PPTX presentation into the exact same folder on your Mac.

Open your presentation

Launch PowerPoint for Mac, open your new PPTX file, and navigate to the slide where you want to access the old presentation.

Insert a hyperlink

Insert a shape, image, or text to act as a button. Right-click this object and select 'Hyperlink' or 'Link' from the context menu.

Select the PPS file

Choose the option to link to an existing file, browse to the folder you created in Step 1, and select the old PPS file.

Test the slide show

Start your presentation and click the hyperlinked object. The PPS file will open and play as a separate slide show, complete with its available sound files.

Create a Relative Hyperlink to the PPS File

Keep Files Together: You must remember not to move the PPS file or its linked sound files out of this folder, otherwise, the relative hyperlink will break.

Solution 2

Merge Files Using PowerPoint for Windows

If you absolutely must embed or merge the slides completely into a single file, use a Windows PC to bypass macOS limitations.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Presentation Management on Mac

Struggling with PowerPoint's limitations on macOS? WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that makes managing, editing, and presenting older PPT and PPS files easier on Apple devices.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installer for macOS.
2. Install and Launch: Drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder and launch the suite.
3. Open Your Presentations: Open your PPTX or older PPS files directly in WPS Presentation for smooth playback and editing.

Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint formats including PPT, PPTX, PPS, and PPSX.Lightweight architecture that avoids the legacy OLE issues common in Mac environments.Familiar tabbed interface making it incredibly easy to switch from Microsoft Office.100% free to download with powerful presentation, word processing, and spreadsheet tools integrated.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't 'Insert Object' work for PPS files in PowerPoint for Mac?

PowerPoint's 'Insert Object' feature relies on Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technology, which is a native Microsoft Windows framework. Mac operating systems have very limited support for OLE, causing older embedded objects like PPS files to fail or lose embedded media.

Why is there no sound when I open my old PPS file on Mac?

In older PPS presentations, sound files were often linked rather than embedded directly into the presentation file. If the original sound files are not kept in the exact same folder as the PPS file on your Mac, the link breaks, and the audio cannot play.

Can I simply drag and drop a PPS file into a PPTX presentation on Mac?

Dragging and dropping a PPS file into a PPTX slide on Mac typically prompts PowerPoint to try using the 'Insert Object' method. Because of macOS OLE limitations, this usually fails to merge the slides correctly or drops linked background music.

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