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KEY PPS
File conversion

Convert KEY to PPS

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jul 6, 2026
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Is it possible to convert KEY to PPS?
Yes - KEY converts to PPS.

No single tool converts .key directly to .pps. Export to .pptx using Keynote on Mac or Keynote for iCloud, then open the .pptx in PowerPoint and save as PowerPoint Show 97-2003 (.pps). For most recipients using modern Office, the newer slideshow format is a better choice than the legacy .pps.

2 programs
Also to PPS: PPT · ODP · POT

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert KEY to PPS?

.pps is a legacy PowerPoint 97-2003 slideshow file that opens directly in full-screen presentation mode. Some clients or event organizers using older software request it as a self-starting file. Because .key uses Apple's proprietary format, .pptx is always the required intermediate format; for most recipients .ppsx is the modern equivalent and a better choice.

How to convert KEY to PPS

Keynote for Mac FREE

Open the .key in Keynote, export it as PowerPoint (.pptx), then open the .pptx in PowerPoint and save as PowerPoint Show 97-2003 (.pps).

Keynote for iOS FREE

Export the .key from the Keynote app as a .pptx, then open it in PowerPoint and save as .pps.

Programs that convert KEY

Keynote for Mac
Keynote for iOS

About these formats

.KEY Apple Keynote Presentation

A .key file is an Apple Keynote presentation, the Mac counterpart to PowerPoint. On a Mac or iPhone/iPad, Keynote opens it directly (free). On Windows, use Keynote for iCloud at iCloud.com…

Open .KEY details →
.PPS PowerPoint 97-2003 Slide Show

A PPS file is a PowerPoint 97-2003 slide show - the same binary format as .ppt, but set to open straight into full-screen playback instead of the editor. Open it with Microsoft PowerPoint,…

Open .PPS details →

Quality & what to watch

  • No single tool converts .key directly to .pps - the .pptx intermediate step is always required.
  • .pps is the PowerPoint 97-2003 binary slideshow format; recipients using Office 2007 or later should receive .ppsx instead.
  • Keynote-specific animations and transitions are dropped or simplified during the .key to .pptx export step, before the .pps save.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this without Microsoft PowerPoint?
Yes - LibreOffice Impress (free) can open the exported .pptx and save it as .pps via File > Save As.
What is the difference between `.pps` and `.ppsx`?
.pps is the older binary format from PowerPoint 97-2003; .ppsx is the modern XML-based equivalent and the better choice for Office 2007 or later.
Will fonts look correct on Windows after converting?
Not always - Apple system fonts are not installed on Windows, so PowerPoint will substitute them and text layout may shift.
Can Keynote for iCloud export to `.pps` directly?
No - it exports to .pptx only; you must then save as .pps in PowerPoint or LibreOffice Impress as a second step.