Presenting a Keynote presentation on a Windows PC or in PowerPoint

Conferences, universities and clients often ask for a PowerPoint file or give you a Windows PC to present from. Keynote can export to PowerPoint, but some things don't make the trip. Check these before you send the file.

1. Export a PowerPoint copy

In Keynote, choose File › Export To › PowerPoint. Keep your Keynote original: if you need to change something, edit in Keynote and export again rather than editing the exported copy.

2. Fonts: Mac fonts aren't on most Windows PCs

Many fonts that come with macOS, such as Helvetica Neue, Avenir and Futura, aren't part of Microsoft Office's font set. On a Windows PC or in PowerPoint for the web they're replaced, which changes line breaks and can push text out of its box.

Fix: switch to a font both platforms have, such as Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia, Verdana or Courier New, before exporting.

3. Transitions and builds

Apple says Keynote supports most PowerPoint transitions and builds when importing, but Keynote-only effects may be swapped for a simpler PowerPoint effect, or lost, when going the other way.

Fix: open the exported file in PowerPoint (or PowerPoint for the web, which is free with a Microsoft account) and click through every build you rely on.

4. Video and audio

Video that plays perfectly in Keynote may not play on the venue's PC. MP4 (H.264) is the safest choice across Mac, Windows and the web.

Fix: convert videos to MP4 before inserting them, and bring the video files separately as a backup.

5. Bring a backup, but know what a PDF loses

A PDF export is a good emergency fallback because the layout can't change, but it has no animations or transitions, videos become still pictures, and there are no speaker notes. Use it as a backup, not the main file.