Methods for Putting PowerPoint Online

There are six methods for putting a PowerPoint presentation online. Each method has benefits and drawbacks. Most do not create completely accessible materials and require some type of manual editing. As a result, the "Make Webpage" method is recommended for creating an accessible PowerPoint presentation. However, you should review each of the methods to make an informed decision as to which method best suits your needs.

Post PowerPoint "As Is" in its native file format (.ppt).
Use "Save as Web Page" in the PowerPoint program.
Use "Save as RTF" (rich text format) in the PowerPoint program.
Cut-and-Paste the Outline of the PowerPoint into a Word or text file.
Use Third Party Tools to convert an existing PowerPoint presentation.
Make Webpage of the PowerPoint presentation.

Post PowerPoint "As Is" Method

A PowerPoint presentation is typically posted online in its native file format (.ppt) or in the PowerPoint Show (.pps) format and accessed through a link to the presentation. Whenever the link is selected, the PowerPoint presentation is either downloaded to the user's computer or opened within a web browser. However, a presentation created using the Post PowerPoint "As Is" Method is not accessible to everyone.

Accessibility Issues of "As Is" Method

Not all users have the PowerPoint software or PowerPoint Viewer installed, which is required to view the presentation.
Presentations stored in the native file format (.ppt) or PowerPoint Show (.pps) format generally have a large file size and consist of a single file. The whole file must be downloaded before it can be viewed; Not all users have high-speed Internet access and must wait for a long time before even part of the file can be viewed.
Viewing the PowerPoint presentation in the browser by selecting the ‘Open’ option does not enable the text to be read by a text-to-speech program or a screenreader such as Jaws; thus a user who is blind, has low vision, or is using these types of assistive technologies would not have access to the presentation.
PowerPoint slides and the presentation are graphical; some users cannot view graphics due to disability, environment, or technology (i.e. text-based web browser).

Solutions for Issues of "As Is" Method

Provide a link to download the PowerPoint Viewer or assure users have the PowerPoint software.Viewing the presentation in the PowerPoint Software or PowerPoint Viewer enables the text to be read by a text-to-speech program or a screenreader such as Jaws.
Provide the PowerPoint presentation in an alternate format (i.e. Outline in Word or text document, webpage) to offer a smaller file size that will download faster and to ensure access for those using a text-to-speech program, screenreader, or text-based browser.
Provide the PowerPoint file in its native file format (.ppt) to enable users to effectively print any or all slides of the presentation.

The next page will discuss using "Save As Web Page" in PowerPoint program to convert an existing PowerPoint.

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Tools You Need

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"Save as Webpage" in PPT