PPT: Arrow Heads Flipped Saving in PowerPoint 3.0, 4.0 Format

When you save a Microsoft PowerPoint 97 or 98 presentation in PowerPoint 3.0 or 4.0 format, any AutoShape arcs that you create with a single arrow head are flipped.

For example, if you convert a PowerPoint 97 or 98 presentation that contains an AutoShape arc with an arrow head pointing to the right in PowerPoint 3.0 or 4.0 format, and then reopen that presentation, the arrow will point to the left. This problem does not occur with the line, curve, or scribble line AutoShapes.

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods:

Method 1: Save the File Twice

1. Verify that all arrow heads are facing the way you want.
2. Save the presentation in PowerPoint 3.0 or 4.0 format.
   
   
   1. On the File menu, click Save As.
   2. In the Save As Type list, select PowerPoint 3.0 (.ppt) or PowerPoint 4.0 (.ppt).
   3. In the File Name box, type a name for the presentation.
   4. Click Save.
   5. Close the presentation.
      
      In this version of the presentation, the arc arrow heads are pointing in the wrong direction.
3. Open the presentation you created in step 2.
4. Resave the presentation under a new name by repeating steps 2a through 2e. In this version of the presentation, the arc arrow heads are pointing in the correct direction.
5. Delete the presentation you created in step 2.

NOTE: If you make any changes to the presentation at this point, the arc arrows will point in the wrong direction. After you save the presentation, close it and then repeat steps 3 through 5.

Method 2: Point the Arc Arrow Heads in the Wrong Direction

Before you convert the presentation into PowerPoint 3.0 or 4.0 format, point the arc arrow heads in the wrong direction. When you convert the presentation, the arc arrow heads will be flipped and pointed in the correct direction.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows. This problem was corrected in Microsoft PowerPoint 97 Service Release 1.