How to fix 'PowerPoint Can't Locate Microsoft Word' error

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Causes of 'PowerPoint Can't Locate Microsoft Word' error

'PowerPoint Can't Locate Microsoft Word' often occurs when you export a PowerPoint file. PowerPoint needs to open Word and create a document within it. If the link between the two documents is not established properly, you will experience this problem.

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'PowerPoint Can't Locate Microsoft Word' basically tells you the copy of PowerPoint cannot 'communicate' with the copy of Word. The main reason comes from an error related to the installation. Most people install PowerPoint and Word as part of an Office package. However, if you install them separately, this error may appear.

In this case, PowerPoint may assume that Word is not installed on the computer. Another cause could be a default save location or a corrupted temporary file. The best solution here is to type install the applications, and then reinstall them with the Office installation package.

Because creating and exporting documents in PowerPoint is easy, reinstalling the entire Office can backfire. If that's too much for you, or need a quick fix, follow the methods below.

Open Word before exporting the presentation

The easy but effective solution to avoid 'PowerPoint Can't Locate Microsoft Word' is to make sure Microsoft Word is open before you try to export the PowerPoint layout file. This saves PowerPoint from having to search for Word because it is already open and ready to receive the exported document.

1. Save your work and close PowerPoint, Word.
2. Open Word , but don't open or create the document.
3. Open PowerPoint .
4. Export the presentation.

To make sure PowerPoint and Word are completely closed in the first step, you can use the task manager to finish the process.

With luck, PowerPoint will export your handouts to Word without any problems. However, if the error still exists, you can try the method below.

Change save settings in PowerPoint

Sometimes, adjusting the default save settings and changing them to your computer can fix the 'PowerPoint Can't Locate Microsoft Word' error. The default save location for PowerPoint is your OneDrive, not your computer.

1. Open PowerPoint .
2. Go to the File tab .
3. Click Options at the bottom of the menu.
4. In the Options window , select Save on the left.
5. In the Save presentations section , check the box next to Save to Computer by default .
6. Click OK to save the changes.

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Try exporting the PowerPoint file again and see if the error is fixed.

Delete temporary files

Temp files are accumulated by PowerPoint over time, and Word can generate various errors, especially when any of them are corrupted. Deleting temporary files ensures no corrupted files interfere with the application.

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1. Close Microsoft Word and PowerPoint .

2. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box .

3. Type the command below and press Enter :

%appdata%Microsoft

4. Find the Word and PowerPoint folders .

5. Select all files in each folder and delete them.

After completing the steps, restart your computer and try exporting your PowerPoint document.

Reinstall Microsoft Office

If the above solutions do not fix the 'PowerPoint Can't Locate Microsoft Word' error, now is the time to consider reinstalling Microsoft Office. Before proceeding with this selection, make sure you have your Microsoft Office product key or subscription details.

You uninstall Microsoft Office like any other application. Uninstall Microsoft Office from the computer, and then reinstall it using the official installation package from Microsoft. This time, make sure to install Word and PowerPoint together.

Above is a simple but effective way to fix 'PowerPoint Can't Locate Microsoft Word' error . Hope the article is useful to you.

Micah Soto

Update 28 August 2023