Tip #39: Compress PowerPoint slideshows for better uploading to Blackboard

Tip: You can compress PowerPoint slideshows for better uploading to Blackboard.

PowerPoint files that contain images and photos can quickly become very large files. This can cause them to take a very long time to attach and download in Blackboard. Office allows you the option to compress images allowing you to have a smaller file size for PowerPoints that will be displayed only on the screen.

Here’s how to do it:
Compressing Images in PowerPoint 2007

1. Open the PowerPoint file.
2. Navigate to the Office Button in the upper left hand corner.
3. Click Save As- PowerPoint Presentation.
4. Click the Tools drop down menu on the lower left hand side of Save As menu
5. Select Compress Pictures
6. Click Options
7. Under Options check:
   a. Check automatically perform basic compression on save
   b. Check Delete cropped areas of pictures
   c. Check e-mail for the target output
8. Click OK
9. Click OK to the Apply compression settings now dialog.
10. Change the filename (ex: unit1_compressed.ppt)
11. Click Save

Compressing Images in PowerPoint 2003 and earlier

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation
2. Click File Menu and then Save as
3. In the save dialog box, click the Tools drop down menu
4. Select Compress Pictures
5. Select All Pictures in document
6. Select Web/Screen.
7. Select Compress pictures and Delete cropped areas of pictures
8. Click OK
9. Confirm that you want to Compress Pictures (if the dialog appears)
10. Change the filename (example: unit2_compressed.ppt)
11. Click Save

Note: It’s best to keep a copy of the original PowerPoint if you intend to print high quality handouts. PowerPoints compressed for web/screen use may appear grainy when printed.