PowerPoint presentation not loading in Beyond compare tool once the ppts are selected

[mgurunathan]

PowerPoint presentation not loading in Beyond compare tool once the ppts are selected...

[Aaron]

By default, binary files (Word, PDF, Powerpoint, etc) require a conversion to plain text before they can be compared in the application. We include several conversions by default, but Powerpoint is a separate download, here:
http://www.scootersoftware.com/downl..._moreformatsv3

This will allow the comparison of the text within the Powerpoint ppt file.

[mgurunathan]

Yes, we downloaded PPT BCFormat.bcpkg. After it compares files until PPT file found

By default, binary files (Word, PDF, Powerpoint, etc) require a conversion to plain text before they can be compared in the application. We include several conversions by default, but Powerpoint is a separate download, here:
http://www.scootersoftware.com/downl..._moreformatsv3

This will allow the comparison of the text within the Powerpoint ppt file.

Yes, we downloaded PPT BCFormat.bcpkg. After it compares files until PPT file found. after it stuck.

[mgurunathan]

Hi Aaron,

We are using Beyond Compare 4 version. Yes, we download a package for PowerPoint separately and imported. We have prior experience and it worked in past.

Now after importing the supporting files for powerpoint, beyond compare tool compares files .doc, .xls, pdf until it encounter PPT. when it encounter .PPT it just stop working... loading icon appear and grayed out all .PPT files.

We tried with "Microsoft PowerPoint documents" option as well with "Microsoft PowerPoint documents VBA" option. In both the case, it didn't work.

Kindly help.

Thanks and Regards,
Gurunathan.

[Aaron]

Hello,

Please first test with a single PPT/PPTX file in the Text Compare view. Is this able to load the file? How large are your PPT files? It may take awhile to process a single load or pair of files.

Are you using the latest release of BC4 (4.1.9)? All 4.x updates are free and you can update using the website or Help menu -> Check for Updates. For my own test system, with Office 2016 and a simple Powerpoint test file, the conversion works with BC4.

If you are still having difficulty with just one file, please email us at [email protected] with:
- a small sample ppt
- your BCSupport.zip from the Help menu -> Support; Export
- a screenshot of the Text Compare showing where it is stuck or presents an error with the single file test.
- a link back to this forum thread for our reference.

[mgurunathan]

We use Beyond compare 4.1.1 version. Same issue with two sample files in text compare view as well. Server is build in such a way that to use older version. we don't necessary rights to upgrade. However, tying to contact appropriate team to upgrade.
Do you file format setting available for PPT to work with 4.1.1 version?.

[Aaron]

Hello,

BC 4.1.1 is capable of using the File Format. Either version would need the File Format installed. The format requires a copy of Powerpoint to be installed on that machine to use for the conversion process; have there been any changes to your local install of Powerpoint? The format has always required a local install of Powerpoint. If you are capable of getting the necessary permissions, updating BC4 is generally recommended for any troubleshooting.

[mgurunathan]

we found an error "some controls on this system cannot be activated" display on dialog window only when comparing power point presentation. I hope that it is related to version installed on the server with version which is being compared in tool. on the dialog box, if we press OK, dialog window is closed, and tool starts comparing the next file. How to stop showing such dialog window as we need to keep watching all the while if such dialog appears to close. Else the comparison operation does not continued.

Also we see some message appear as "opening file..." only while comparing ppt.

[mgurunathan]

Yes, powerpoint installed on the server. what do you mean by copy of Power point installed for conversion process???

[Aaron]

Beyond Compare's conversion/file format calls a VBScript file in the Helpers\ directory that launches Powerpoint.exe to convert the ppt to .txt, and then opens the temp.txt for the comparison. BC isn't directly opening the ppt file, but the temp.txt file generated by Powerpoint, and comparing the text in this file.

BC4 does not have a version of Powerpoint; the VBScript itself is using whatever is installed on the server.

If you try to launch and view the file using the local copy of Powerpoint on that server, does it also show this error dialog? Our VBScript tries to suppress error messages, but I have not seen this one before.