How to convert SVG to PPT with OpenOffice Impress

How to convert SVG to PPT with OpenOffice Impress

Creating PPT presentations from SVG vector graphics can prove to be quite a difficult task, as there aren't many applications that can help users with that. But, before showing you how to do this, let's talk a bit about the SVG format. SVG is one of the most popular vector graphics formats (an image file generated with mathematical equations). This type of file is mainly used for displaying 2D scalable images in XML pages on the web and it is supported by every major Internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari or Opera).

If you want to insert animated images into your PowerPoint presentations or simply want to use vector graphics instead of raster images (they can store images having a better quality), then applying SVG pictures seems to be a good idea.

The OpenOffice Impress 4.1 (Open Source), part of the OpenOffice software suite (the open source alternative to Microsoft Office) by The Apache Software Foundation was chosen for the guide, because it is one of the few applications that can help you create PPT presentations using SVG vector images. It is also open source and very popular among computer users.

Here is the step-by-step guide for creating PPT presentations from SVG images:

Step 1

Open OpenOffice Impress and create a new presentation file (from a template or not, it doesn't matter). A wizard will be there to guide you through the process of creating a new presentation in case you are new to the program.

Step 2

After you have created the new presentation, go to the "Insert" tab, click on "Picture" and select to add one from file (see image). Once you have done that, go to your SVG file and insert it into the presentation (you might have to wait a couple of seconds before the program displays it).

Insert Picture

Step 3

After adding all the desired elements, creating all the slides and choosing the effects, go to the "File" menu and click on "Save As".

Step 4

Provide the location of your output file, as well as its name, and choose PPT as the file format from the drop-down menu. Click on the "Save" button and that's about it.

Select PPT as Output

Conclusion

Even if OpenOffice Impress 4.1 can seem a bit difficult to work with, if you are used to Microsoft PowerPoint, you should not worry and encounter any problems, as these two programs are similar. If not, well, follow the presented guide to be able to create a PPT presentation from SVG vector graphics files in no time. If you are looking for other ways to create PPT presentations from SVG files, then you may check alternative solutions, such as exporting your SVG files to raster images using your vector graphics editor or converter and then import them into PowerPoint (as MS Office doesn't offer support for SVG).

Alternative downloads

• OpenOffice.org free windows Office suite designed for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics and databases. Download