Cant open PPT on fusion with Powerpoint for MAC

[JAN_2500]

Hey, as the titled is saying I cant open ppt files on the fusion (windows) drive with powerpoint for Mac on my MAC. What I am doing wrong? I do right click on the file and select open with Powerpoint (MAC) but the file remains unresponsive.

Appreciate help.

[JAN_2500]

Just to share that I also cant open it with keynote on Mac.

[scott28tt]

So you have a Windows VM running on Fusion, and are making use of the shared folders feature?

Have you tried connecting your Mac to a Windows shared folder, rather than using that function of Fusion?

[JAN_2500]

yes - Windows VM on Fusion. I am also using shared folder feature.

no - how would I do that. Do note that the file is on the windows side but the application on Mac side.

[scott28tt]

The same as you would as if the Windows system was physical: Connect to a Windows computer from a Mac - Apple Support

[ColoradoMarmot]

You can't directly open a file inside a guest with an application on the host (you can do the reverse).  You would have to share that folder from the guest to the host using the link Scott shared, and then just open it directly from the host application (not inside the guest).

[JAN_2500]

Hello, are you sure about this? I am a parallels switcher and that was a standard feature. Let me try the Scott idea.

[JAN_2500]

I mean it is true I cant see the windows folder on my MAC side but I can see the MAC folders on the Windows side. So you guys are saying by sharing the Windows folder it will become available under the MAC side.

So the only way to do this is via connect to server? Not possible to switch this on in the standard settings of fusion?

[Mikero · Accepted solution]

I think there's some confusion...

To open a Windows file with a Mac app, the file must be in the 'VMware Shared Folders' director somewhere.

This could be a folder like z:/folder/some-file.pptx

OR

You could use Mirroring (enabled when you do 'seamless' instead of 'isolated' when creating the VM, also configureable after the VM is created), which essentially achieves the same thing for Documents, Desktop, etc...

Here's the doc on how to open Windows files with Mac apps:

Open a File in a Virtual Machine with an Application on Your Mac

[JAN_2500]

Tthx a lot

[JAN_2500]

Hey - so all working except the fact that the application on the MAC side doesn't open the file.

I am performing the following steps:

1. Open Windows Explorer, select shared folder with ppt file (z:/folder/some-file.pptx)

2. Right click, open with Powerpoint MAC or Keynote MAC - nothing happens.

Anything broken in my settings, maybe? Don't think there is more to configure.

Thanks

[wila]

Hi,

Personally I have never used this feature, but I did just read the documentation and I might have an idea what is happening.

You said:

Right click, open with Powerpoint MAC or Keynote MAC - nothing happens.

If you really use a "Powerpoint MAC" item from your right click menu, than that is most likely a left over from Parallels.

You should use "Default Host Application" instead of a specific mac application name from the "Open With" menu.

--

Wil

[JAN_2500]

You might be right with leftover from parallels since I used it under parallels before. However, how do I setup "Default Host Application"? I looked at the documents and it seems like I did all of what was required - maybe still doing something wrong.

[JAN_2500]

Just an update - just installed Fusion 12 but the problem is still there.

Any other ideas please?