I am just trying to mess around with the Lesson activity and integrating Powerpoint slides. When I try to import a PP file I get the following error message : PCLZIP_ERR_BAD_FORMAT (-10) : Unable to find End of Central Dir Record signature.
We are using 1.8.
Any ideas what is the cause?
I have 1.9 running as a standalone on my desktop to experiment with prior to its implementation. I tried to upload several powerpoint files (one at a time) and instead of the previous error, I got a message that says "can not obtain file"
Same issue, different version. Any ideas?
Same issue, different version. Any ideas?
Hi Dale,
Been having a pre birthday celebration. Thanks in advance.
Have you check MoodleDocs for Import PPT? Not obtain file means the computer/program does not find what it is expecting. Generally you that means it can not find the zip file. When it gives you garbage, generally means that the page is too complicated.
Hope this helps, Best Chris
Been having a pre birthday celebration. Thanks in advance.
Have you check MoodleDocs for Import PPT? Not obtain file means the computer/program does not find what it is expecting. Generally you that means it can not find the zip file. When it gives you garbage, generally means that the page is too complicated.
Hope this helps, Best Chris
I tried going through the process described in Import PPT. I created a powerpoint presentation with 2 slides (text only with a couple simple bullets, no slide design) using MS2003 version. I saved it as a web page (html file), zipped (using Winzip) the htm file and the files located in the associated folder. I then click on the lesson, Import Powerpoint, browse to the folder, select the zip file and then "import this file." I then get the 'can not obtain file' message. This is the process exactly described in the directions (except the error). Any ideas about what is wrong?
Hi Dale,
See my post earlier today. I re-read your post very carefully. The "I saved it as a web page (html file)" is one possible mistake. Did you mean you saved it as a "web page", which creates a folder. Make sure you did not save as "a single web page". All you are zipping is the newly created folder, which is usually located in the same folder as your powerpoint.
"Can not obtain a file" means a version issue or the wrong things are inside the zip file and ImportPPT is confused. Here is just my zip file of the folder. See if that will upload for you. If it will, try the ppt located in the "stuff" zip in my other post and repeat the steps.
See my post earlier today. I re-read your post very carefully. The "I saved it as a web page (html file)" is one possible mistake. Did you mean you saved it as a "web page", which creates a folder. Make sure you did not save as "a single web page". All you are zipping is the newly created folder, which is usually located in the same folder as your powerpoint.
"Can not obtain a file" means a version issue or the wrong things are inside the zip file and ImportPPT is confused. Here is just my zip file of the folder. See if that will upload for you. If it will, try the ppt located in the "stuff" zip in my other post and repeat the steps.
Chris,
I have not had a chance to work through the stuff yet. I will do that sometime today. However, to answer these questions, yes I saved it as a web page. I was repeating back the wording of the directions found in the documentation section. I then zipped the folder and tried to import it. This is when I got the "can not obtain a file" error. I will let you know how I get along with your trial stuff.
Thanks for the help
Dale
I have not had a chance to work through the stuff yet. I will do that sometime today. However, to answer these questions, yes I saved it as a web page. I was repeating back the wording of the directions found in the documentation section. I then zipped the folder and tried to import it. This is when I got the "can not obtain a file" error. I will let you know how I get along with your trial stuff.
Thanks for the help
Dale
Hi Chris
I have just tryed this with your file, and yes It works!, but, it did not work with the other file you posted: stuff" zip
I can´t see the diference, and I can´t do my ppt to works with lesson
Could It be someting with the zip parameters?
Victoria Espinosa
Hi Victoria,
Must be. I have an XP machine that limps along and I use the windows compression program on my Office 2003 stuff.
As I type, I am in the middle of taking a long word document 2003, formatting it so it only has level 1 and level 2 text lines, with no extra paragraph marks, no "body text". I switch my views in and out of "Outline". Make sure there are not bullets and etc.
I then "send to" the document to PowerPoint. And then look at the results. Level 1 should be the slide title, Level 2 the content. I usually go to slide master and change the content area. Delete all the sub headings except the top one, no bullets, change the font to 16 and look at the margins (my default is hanging....grrrr).
I look at the all the pages, then make adjustments in the word file, re-export it until all pages look right in PPT2003. For some reason I have noticed that after i create a web page with PPT, and then zip that folder and bring it into a Lesson, the first letter of the PPT page's content is deleted. So I said fooie and added a space before the first word on the first line of every level 2. Probably something to do with the hanging format but I am 300 lesson pages into a 600 page project and the teacher will have to live with it our edit each Lesson page themself
Keep trying small files. Did you try unpacking the zip file, then using your program to zip the folder back up again
Best Chris
Must be. I have an XP machine that limps along and I use the windows compression program on my Office 2003 stuff.
As I type, I am in the middle of taking a long word document 2003, formatting it so it only has level 1 and level 2 text lines, with no extra paragraph marks, no "body text". I switch my views in and out of "Outline". Make sure there are not bullets and etc.
I then "send to" the document to PowerPoint. And then look at the results. Level 1 should be the slide title, Level 2 the content. I usually go to slide master and change the content area. Delete all the sub headings except the top one, no bullets, change the font to 16 and look at the margins (my default is hanging....grrrr).
I look at the all the pages, then make adjustments in the word file, re-export it until all pages look right in PPT2003. For some reason I have noticed that after i create a web page with PPT, and then zip that folder and bring it into a Lesson, the first letter of the PPT page's content is deleted. So I said fooie and added a space before the first word on the first line of every level 2. Probably something to do with the hanging format but I am 300 lesson pages into a 600 page project and the teacher will have to live with it our edit each Lesson page themself
Keep trying small files. Did you try unpacking the zip file, then using your program to zip the folder back up again
Best Chris
Hi Dale,
I apologize for not responding sooner. Bald head, long todo list, I've been busy ignoring you and helping others while waiting for somebody to solve my (still unsolved) problem
As you may know, problems with ImportPPT is not just about you. So I have attached a ImportPPT_stuff.zip file that has everything anyone needs to check it out. This zip has my 2003 powerpoint and the zip file of the webpage folder the powerpoint created. I checked the zip of the webpage folder on demo.moodle.org and it worked.
This will allow others with ppt2003 to see my presentation and follow the steps to see if they can import it into a new lesson. I would suggest after that to start adding fancy stuff to that presentation (saving it under a different name) and repeating the steps to see what does and does not work.
Just for you and all the rest of the ImportPPT sport fans, I created a powerpoint with not 1, not 2, but THREE pages. The first one has a picture (look what happened to the title), the second one has some bullet points and the last one a text box (another word for a box with bullets) without bullets. Well, I would have done more but we have this 100k limit on uploads and I know this will be a popular item.
This was all done with ppt 2003 SP-2 and only took me 5 tests before I reached my goal of creating a presentation that was not quite perfect.
Did I mention we need to have an Import OO function and a separate Import Text function (like a gift file) for Lesson? The ImportPPT needs to be replaced or Microsoft should provide us some help here.
Hope this helps Chris
I apologize for not responding sooner. Bald head, long todo list, I've been busy ignoring you and helping others while waiting for somebody to solve my (still unsolved) problem
As you may know, problems with ImportPPT is not just about you. So I have attached a ImportPPT_stuff.zip file that has everything anyone needs to check it out. This zip has my 2003 powerpoint and the zip file of the webpage folder the powerpoint created. I checked the zip of the webpage folder on demo.moodle.org and it worked.
This will allow others with ppt2003 to see my presentation and follow the steps to see if they can import it into a new lesson. I would suggest after that to start adding fancy stuff to that presentation (saving it under a different name) and repeating the steps to see what does and does not work.
Just for you and all the rest of the ImportPPT sport fans, I created a powerpoint with not 1, not 2, but THREE pages. The first one has a picture (look what happened to the title), the second one has some bullet points and the last one a text box (another word for a box with bullets) without bullets. Well, I would have done more but we have this 100k limit on uploads and I know this will be a popular item.
This was all done with ppt 2003 SP-2 and only took me 5 tests before I reached my goal of creating a presentation that was not quite perfect.
Did I mention we need to have an Import OO function and a separate Import Text function (like a gift file) for Lesson? The ImportPPT needs to be replaced or Microsoft should provide us some help here.
Hope this helps Chris
I just wanted to let the group know that I gave up on the powerpoint stuff a while ago. I just make sure the target ppt resides on the same server and link to it. I do this with videos as well. It makes it much easier. I don't have the programming knowledge or skill to preprogram to make it work otherwise and this fix works well for me. The student clicks the link and the projrct opens in a new window. I package the ppt as a presentation with the viewer so no issues.
Clint Randolph
Liberty Ambulance Service
Jacksonville, FL
This might be the way I will end up going. What do you mean exactly by "I package the ppt as a presentation with the view"?
I use the feature within Poweropint to package it as an automatic running presentation. You have to download and inlcude in the PPT package the ppt veiwer which is a free plugin in case the student does not have the full version of PPT. It can also be saved on ther host server as a webpage complete with the viewer and when the link is clicked, it opens up in a new window and plays. This takes Moodle out of the picture (no pun intended) for actually viewing the PPT presentation and allows you to use whatever formatting you choose. The down side is if you have limited resources on your host server, then keeping them there for any length of time might not be an option. A second choice is to have the student download a zipped file and extract it to their hard drive and play the presentaion. Either way, the PPT software has tools built in to accomplish this.
Clint,
That is a good way. Turning the PowerPoint into a flash presentation is another that techno inclinded Moodlers use because there more program options than PPT viewer.
My soapbox: however, you are still left with the PowerPoint way of doing things. I know that it is possible to ask a question on a PowerPoint page and put in links under answers that will redirect the trainee to another slide. But I can't score it and use other Lesson features which are available if they were real Lesson pages. On the plus side I can print a ppt, have someone vet the hard copy and do all of this off line.
The thing that bothers me is that we have to work on line in the lesson to be able to add formatted content and vet the words on line. Quite honestly, the only text (non formatted at that) we can import and insert into a lesson between any two pages is a series of Question pages.
This is why I push for some sort of OOimpress file import, or an alpha series of pictures import, or a text file import into a series of branch tables.
I only wish we could gain the critical mass that would put this PPT and import feature issue on somebody todo list that has the resources to do it! Right now Lesson resources are probably being devoted to the new unified 2.0 Moodle system. Sigh.
Thanks for listening and your suggestion to others. Chris
That is a good way. Turning the PowerPoint into a flash presentation is another that techno inclinded Moodlers use because there more program options than PPT viewer.
My soapbox: however, you are still left with the PowerPoint way of doing things. I know that it is possible to ask a question on a PowerPoint page and put in links under answers that will redirect the trainee to another slide. But I can't score it and use other Lesson features which are available if they were real Lesson pages. On the plus side I can print a ppt, have someone vet the hard copy and do all of this off line.
The thing that bothers me is that we have to work on line in the lesson to be able to add formatted content and vet the words on line. Quite honestly, the only text (non formatted at that) we can import and insert into a lesson between any two pages is a series of Question pages.
This is why I push for some sort of OOimpress file import, or an alpha series of pictures import, or a text file import into a series of branch tables.
I only wish we could gain the critical mass that would put this PPT and import feature issue on somebody todo list that has the resources to do it! Right now Lesson resources are probably being devoted to the new unified 2.0 Moodle system. Sigh.
Thanks for listening and your suggestion to others. Chris
Chris,
I wholeheartedly agree. I do this only because the only way to actually import them basically is to format them black and white with boring graphics and no sound and what good is that? I use embedded sounds and videos and narration to make it interesting and Moodle is a long way from that being doable. I wish I had the time to learn how to program so I could fix it. I'm just brailling my way through this trying my best to put out the best quality product I can to my employees with a meager budget. You are a really good resource in the discussion groups as you obviously have more experience than most, or so it would appear. Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I do uses quizzes and question pages in the lessons I use for those situations. As you said, it is the only way to get a grade for them, but so far, I haven't found a better mousetrap.
Clint
I used your zip file in both the demo.moodle.org site and my own stand-alone. It imported just fine both times. I then created a simple ppt slide (no graphics, no bullets, just text). I saved as "Web page (*.htm, *.html)" in PPT. I then opened Winzip and created a new archive. I added all of the files from the folder that was created when I saved as a html page. Then, I went into the Moodle course site, created a lesson, selected the zipped file that I had just created. I clicked on upload this file and got the "can not obtain data" messaged. Obviously, there I am doing something wrong in creating the web page or the zip file but I am not seeing anything that I am doing differently than the directions or your test files. Any ideas?
Hi Dale,
I didn't see the step where you used my ppt presentation with your ppt program, to create a web page folder, which you zipped and then tried to import.
Language is wonderful. "I added all of the files from the folder".
I thought I zipped the folder, which included the files below it. I don't think I added the files from the folder to a zip file. BTW, I tried including the webpage folder in "stuff" but it pushed me over the 100k limit.
When I get home, I will check MoodleDocs for the instructions on ImportPPT. These instructions are subject to so much interpretation, I am wondering if I should add some screen shots from my PPT 2003.
Keep at it. My bald dome is testimony to the fact that eventually dawn will break over marblehead !
Best Chris
I didn't see the step where you used my ppt presentation with your ppt program, to create a web page folder, which you zipped and then tried to import.
Language is wonderful. "I added all of the files from the folder".
I thought I zipped the folder, which included the files below it. I don't think I added the files from the folder to a zip file. BTW, I tried including the webpage folder in "stuff" but it pushed me over the 100k limit.
When I get home, I will check MoodleDocs for the instructions on ImportPPT. These instructions are subject to so much interpretation, I am wondering if I should add some screen shots from my PPT 2003.
Keep at it. My bald dome is testimony to the fact that eventually dawn will break over marblehead !
Best Chris
You are right. I did not zip the folder because Winzip would not let me choose the folder. I could only open the folder, choose the files within it, and then zip them.
Hi Dale,
Oh yeah. Been there done that so many times, you are definitely not alone with zipping. Figure out how to zip the folder from the parent.
As a result of this thread, I revisited Import PowerPoint in MoodleDocs. That is a long page with all it's hints for matrix of different versions of Moodle and PowerPoint. Still needs more work and a first timer ALWAYS has a good perspective. Please feel free to contribute by editing or making a comment on the discussion page.
Best Chris
Oh yeah. Been there done that so many times, you are definitely not alone with zipping. Figure out how to zip the folder from the parent.
As a result of this thread, I revisited Import PowerPoint in MoodleDocs. That is a long page with all it's hints for matrix of different versions of Moodle and PowerPoint. Still needs more work and a first timer ALWAYS has a good perspective. Please feel free to contribute by editing or making a comment on the discussion page.
Best Chris
IS there any issues with 1.9.1 and PP2003? I tried suing your "stuff" zip and I got the message "could not get data"
any ideas? surely your powerpoint preso isn't too complicated.
Jason
Hi Jason,
Indeed the point of the files packet is that it did work and thusly should work and the questions is :does it work and if not why not?
So let me walk through my instructions again with my machine at home to make sure it works on at least one machine. I have just loaded a 1.9.1+ 28062008 version I think. And updated by browser to Firefox 3.01. Could be my instructions said to jig with I meant to jag. Probably will not be able to get back to this for another day, but have faith, I shall return.
Chris
Indeed the point of the files packet is that it did work and thusly should work and the questions is :does it work and if not why not?
So let me walk through my instructions again with my machine at home to make sure it works on at least one machine. I have just loaded a 1.9.1+ 28062008 version I think. And updated by browser to Firefox 3.01. Could be my instructions said to jig with I meant to jag. Probably will not be able to get back to this for another day, but have faith, I shall return.
Chris
Hi Jason,
Thanks for your post. Here is what I did this morning.
ImportPPT can be frustrating because of all the variables. Please try those steps with demo.moodle.org (just after the hour), so you will know that it can work....and increase your frustration on why is is NOT working on your site.
Best Chris
Thanks for your post. Here is what I did this morning.
- I found the zip file I posted (I will do something to make that easier)
- Downloaded it as a zip file, (using 3.01 Firefox)
- Confirmed it was really in my directory called Family Downloads
- Logged into demo.moodle.org as admin
- Went into "Moodle Features Demo" course
- Turned on editing
- Added a Lesson activity
- Gave my Lesson the name "Test", made no other changes
- Saved the settings
- Selected Import Powerpoint
- Using the Browse button, found the zip file
- Uploaded it
- Clicked continue
- it worked and I saw the first page (see below).
ImportPPT can be frustrating because of all the variables. Please try those steps with demo.moodle.org (just after the hour), so you will know that it can work....and increase your frustration on why is is NOT working on your site.
Best Chris
seems to work fine on the demo as you described. I tried the same on my site and it has issues. I'll guess I'll try try using PPT2FLASH, $200 bucks thou...
Hi Jason,
Did you try the giggle I suggested? Are you able to unzip "my" file on your system in some file area?
Are you able to restore a course or create a new course from a backup of a saved one?
You might try the General problem forum, say you "think you have a unzip file issue. Demo moodle works fine but yours does not. Same version..any ideas? " kind of thing.
Anything except $200. There is inserting a screen shot of each powerpoint page into a branch table. Created the images with OO making webpages. I bet I must have inserted over 600 images before I figured out how to hack out a solution for me. I still know nothing about php
Best Chris
Did you try the giggle I suggested? Are you able to unzip "my" file on your system in some file area?
Are you able to restore a course or create a new course from a backup of a saved one?
You might try the General problem forum, say you "think you have a unzip file issue. Demo moodle works fine but yours does not. Same version..any ideas? " kind of thing.
Anything except $200. There is inserting a screen shot of each powerpoint page into a branch table. Created the images with OO making webpages. I bet I must have inserted over 600 images before I figured out how to hack out a solution for me. I still know nothing about php
Best Chris
Aloha Chris,
I am still having problems with PPT slides. I tried your file today and it still doesn't work. We are still thinking it has something to do with us using IIS instead of Apache. Can you point me to someone who might know if this is the problem? We had some issues when they installed PHP so that may be part of the problem? I appreicate your help. Thank you.
I am still having problems with PPT slides. I tried your file today and it still doesn't work. We are still thinking it has something to do with us using IIS instead of Apache. Can you point me to someone who might know if this is the problem? We had some issues when they installed PHP so that may be part of the problem? I appreicate your help. Thank you.
Aloha Jason,
I have been experiencing the same problem and I just tried Chris' file and it didn't work for me, either. I'm also working with a programmer and a network administrator to fix this and they think the problem is IIS. By chance, are you using IIS or are you using Apache? We also use IE and not Firefox but I tried it with Firefox and it still didn't work.
-Barbara
I have been experiencing the same problem and I just tried Chris' file and it didn't work for me, either. I'm also working with a programmer and a network administrator to fix this and they think the problem is IIS. By chance, are you using IIS or are you using Apache? We also use IE and not Firefox but I tried it with Firefox and it still didn't work.
-Barbara
I moved the PowerPoint and the zipfile I created after saving the PowerPoint as a Web Page here on tracker. MDL-15755 hope this helps others.
It should be easier to find.
Best to all Chris
It should be easier to find.
Best to all Chris