Change Default Save Option for PowerPoint 2010 Presentations

From Wendy Russell, former About.com Guide

Save PowerPoint 2010 Presentations as Earlier Versions

A question from a Reader:
"I often work from home. I have PowerPoint 2010 on my home computer but my office is still using PowerPoint 2003. Is there a way to set the default save setting to PowerPoint 2003, instead of having to do that for each presentation I create at home?"

The answer is Yes and the extra good news is that it is an easy fix -- one that can be quickly changed back to the original setting if need be.

Change Default Save Option in PowerPoint 2010

1. Choose File > Options from the ribbon.
2. In the left pane of the PowerPoint Options dialog box, click on the Save option.
3. In the Save presentations section, click the drop down box for Save files in this format:.
4. Choose the option for PowerPoint Presentation 97-2003.
5. Click OK at the bottom of the dialog box.

This presentation and all future presentations will now be saved, by default, as a PowerPoint 97-2003 presentation.

• Notes:
  1. This setting can easily be switched back for specific presentations. This article will show how to change the save option on an individual basis.
  
  
  2. If you used features that were new in PowerPoint 2010 (or PowerPoint 2007), those features will not work if you save your presentation as a PowerPoint 97-2003 presentation.