View Full Version : PowerPoint 2003 Embedded Fonts problem
Justin Woodson
September 2nd, 2004, 05:30 AM
When opening a file with embedded fonts in Powerpoint
2003, you receive the following error:
"This presentation cannot be edited because it contains a
read-only embedded font."
the full issue can be read here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;827405
The infuriating thing is that this renders any such file
as uneditable. I purchased some fonts and thought i was
using them legally, but much to my dismay I discovered
that these fonts had only "print and preview embedding
rights". the fast majority of my work is now completely
unusable due to mandatory software upgrades at work with
no apparent way to salvage the files.
this problem occurs in spite of installing these very
same fonts on the computer properly!! (contrary to what
MS's help files are saying)
here's my question:
does anyone know if it is possible (and how) to simply
STRIP the embedded fonts from the file, so that I can
then edit them without the fonts embedded? this would
seem like a REASONABLE solution that Microsoft should
have offered as a built in...
-thanks
Bill Dilworth
September 2nd, 2004, 06:33 AM
I'll tell you, but you won't like the answer.
The best, surest way to do this is to install PowerPoint 2002 on a computer
(or use an already installed version) to open the presentation, edit out the
offending fonts and save.
I agree that it would be better if the fonts that you do not have rights to
were replaced, rather than locking up the whole thing. Have you mentioned
this to MS? This is exactly the type information they want to hear from
consumers.
There is a link to the MSWish site on this FAQ page about font embedding.
--
Bill Dilworth, Microsoft PPT MVP
===============
Please spend a few minutes checking vestprog2@
out www.pptfaq.com This link will yahoo.
answer most of our questions, before com
you think to ask them.
Change org to com to defuse anti-spam,
ant-virus, anti-nuisance misdirection.
..
..
"Justin Woodson" > wrote in message
...
> When opening a file with embedded fonts in Powerpoint
> 2003, you receive the following error:
>
> "This presentation cannot be edited because it contains a
> read-only embedded font."
>
> the full issue can be read here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
> us;827405
>
> The infuriating thing is that this renders any such file
> as uneditable. I purchased some fonts and thought i was
> using them legally, but much to my dismay I discovered
> that these fonts had only "print and preview embedding
> rights". the fast majority of my work is now completely
> unusable due to mandatory software upgrades at work with
> no apparent way to salvage the files.
>
> this problem occurs in spite of installing these very
> same fonts on the computer properly!! (contrary to what
> MS's help files are saying)
>
> here's my question:
> does anyone know if it is possible (and how) to simply
> STRIP the embedded fonts from the file, so that I can
> then edit them without the fonts embedded? this would
> seem like a REASONABLE solution that Microsoft should
> have offered as a built in...
>
>
> -thanks
>
>
>
Bill Dilworth
September 2nd, 2004, 06:35 AM
And, if I included the link, it would look like this:
**FONT embedding
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00076.htm
:) Bill
Glen Millar
September 2nd, 2004, 06:42 AM
Hi,
This "feature" stinks. I hate it with a passion.
--
Regards,
Glen Millar
Microsoft PPT MVP
http://www.powerpointworkbench.com/
Please tell us your ppt version, and get back to us here
Remove spaces from signature
Posted to news://msnews.microsoft.com
"Justin Woodson" > wrote in message
...
> When opening a file with embedded fonts in Powerpoint
> 2003, you receive the following error:
>
> "This presentation cannot be edited because it contains a
> read-only embedded font."
>
> the full issue can be read here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
> us;827405
>
> The infuriating thing is that this renders any such file
> as uneditable. I purchased some fonts and thought i was
> using them legally, but much to my dismay I discovered
> that these fonts had only "print and preview embedding
> rights". the fast majority of my work is now completely
> unusable due to mandatory software upgrades at work with
> no apparent way to salvage the files.
>
> this problem occurs in spite of installing these very
> same fonts on the computer properly!! (contrary to what
> MS's help files are saying)
>
> here's my question:
> does anyone know if it is possible (and how) to simply
> STRIP the embedded fonts from the file, so that I can
> then edit them without the fonts embedded? this would
> seem like a REASONABLE solution that Microsoft should
> have offered as a built in...
>
>
> -thanks
>
>
>
Troy
September 2nd, 2004, 10:47 AM
To add to what Bill said (and second Glen's severe dislike), open
presentation in an older version of PPT and uncheck the 'embed' fonts
option. Now when the file is opened in PPT 2003 the fonts will default to
your system preference (most likely Arial) and you can simply do a replace
fonts command to adjust as needed.
Note about running/installing multiple versions of PPT. MS Office is very
particular about where is gathers its preferences from. It will use the last
installed version as the default for its preferences. So it is recommended
to uninstall current version. Install oldest version first, then step up to
newer versions. All versions can be installed on a single computer with no
problems if installed in this manner - I have all versions on my computers
(97, 2000, XP, 2003) with no problems.
--
Best Regards,
Troy Chollar
TLC Creative Services, Inc.
www dot tlccreative dot com
troy at tlccreative dot com
===========================================
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October 10-13, San Diego, CA www.PowerPointLive.com
===========================================
"Justin Woodson" > wrote in message
...
> When opening a file with embedded fonts in Powerpoint
> 2003, you receive the following error:
>
> "This presentation cannot be edited because it contains a
> read-only embedded font."
>
> the full issue can be read here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
> us;827405
>
> The infuriating thing is that this renders any such file
> as uneditable. I purchased some fonts and thought i was
> using them legally, but much to my dismay I discovered
> that these fonts had only "print and preview embedding
> rights". the fast majority of my work is now completely
> unusable due to mandatory software upgrades at work with
> no apparent way to salvage the files.
>
> this problem occurs in spite of installing these very
> same fonts on the computer properly!! (contrary to what
> MS's help files are saying)
>
> here's my question:
> does anyone know if it is possible (and how) to simply
> STRIP the embedded fonts from the file, so that I can
> then edit them without the fonts embedded? this would
> seem like a REASONABLE solution that Microsoft should
> have offered as a built in...
>
>
> -thanks
>
>
>
Steve Rindsberg
September 2nd, 2004, 05:20 PM
This is very strange indeed. And painful!
I wonder if there's a problem in PPT2003 with files that've had fonts embedded
by earlier versions?
In any case, the first thing I'd try is to scare up a copy of PPT 2002; if you
can do that, you should be able to open your files, do Format, Replace Fonts to
substitute other fonts for the problem ones or save to a new name w/o embedding
the fonts.
If your files are smallish and you want one of us to give the Open in 2002 and
resave trick a try, yell. Or just email me a 2mb or less file ... steve at
sign pptools dot com
Include a reminder of what this is all about in the email message body. Copy
and paste from this message would be fine.
In article >, Justin Woodson wrote:
> When opening a file with embedded fonts in Powerpoint
> 2003, you receive the following error:
>
> "This presentation cannot be edited because it contains a
> read-only embedded font."
>
> the full issue can be read here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
> us;827405
>
> The infuriating thing is that this renders any such file
> as uneditable.
>I purchased some fonts and thought i was
> using them legally, but much to my dismay I discovered
> that these fonts had only "print and preview embedding
> rights". the fast majority of my work is now completely
> unusable due to mandatory software upgrades at work with
> no apparent way to salvage the files.
> this problem occurs in spite of installing these very
> same fonts on the computer properly!! (contrary to what
> MS's help files are saying)
>
> here's my question:
> does anyone know if it is possible (and how) to simply
> STRIP the embedded fonts from the file, so that I can
> then edit them without the fonts embedded? this would
> seem like a REASONABLE solution that Microsoft should
> have offered as a built in...
--
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Featured Presenter, PowerPoint Live 2004
October 10-13, San Diego, CA www.PowerPointLive.com
================================================
Steve Rindsberg
September 2nd, 2004, 08:31 PM
> newer versions. All versions can be installed on a single computer with no
> problems if installed in this manner - I have all versions on my computers
> (97, 2000, XP, 2003) with no problems.
Heh. Try using EPS graphics in 2000 or 97. ;-)
All versions share common graphics filters; newest version wins.
Some filters work with older versions of PPT, some ... uh .... don't.
--
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
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October 10-13, San Diego, CA www.PowerPointLive.com
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muppet
September 15th, 2004, 07:03 PM
I have this problem with presentations I created in ppt 2002, even
though I only used the STANDARD Windows fonts: Arial, Arial Black,
Verdana, Times New Roman & Comic Sans MS. They're all
present/installed on the PC I'm using. According to MS's font
properties extension, all these have "installable embedding allowed".
So does this new 2003 'enhancement' have bugs ???
& yes I have run office update & got the SP1 and the ppt critical
update
Steve Rindsberg
September 15th, 2004, 09:57 PM
In article >, Muppet wrote:
> I have this problem with presentations I created in ppt 2002, even
> though I only used the STANDARD Windows fonts: Arial, Arial Black,
> Verdana, Times New Roman & Comic Sans MS. They're all
> present/installed on the PC I'm using. According to MS's font
> properties extension, all these have "installable embedding allowed".
>
> So does this new 2003 'enhancement' have bugs ???
>
> & yes I have run office update & got the SP1 and the ppt critical
> update
You're not the first to report problems like this after SP1. I'm beginning to
wonder if it doesn't make things worse in this department.
--
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Featured Presenter, PowerPoint Live 2004
October 10-13, San Diego, CA www.PowerPointLive.com
================================================
stabu
September 29th, 2005, 12:36 PM
There's a number of threads about this, it would be nice if the forum mods could stick them altogether.
Here's my way of going about it:
If you agree to the licensing terms, you can download Openoffice and open the powerpoint presentation with Impress (Openoffice’s equiv of Powerpoint).
It's a 77M download, but if you have broadband, it mightn't take you long.
Once open, save it again as a powerpoint file. You may need to slightly change the document before doing this, as it may only save it properly if you actually do something more than merely open it.
Once re-saved in this manner, open it with Powerpoint again and this time there should be no “read-only embedded fonts” warning. Also it should be editable. So far, so good.
However, it may happen than when you print out the presentation in Notes view, the slides do not appear. There’s a manual procedure for correcting this however.
In Notes view, which only seem to display one slide (plus its notes) at a time, go to Format, then Slide Layout and check the “Slide Image” box. That last bit of advice comes from Steve Rindsberg.
This worked for me and got me out of the fix. It may be worth trying.
stabu
September 29th, 2005, 03:17 PM
OK, a qualifier for my so-called "solution".
Openoffice may unadjust the powerpoint format. Nothing serious mind you, but it seems to stick in the headings in an unadjustable format for the Notes Print task.
I don't know if it messes with the template, but what you get in print preview is not what you get in the printer (just the slide headings now). That' s pain.
I solved this again manually by copying in the slides into anotherer template. Then deleting the headings and copying them in as text in powerpoints outline view. I had to change their size too. V.messy.
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