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Old Mathtype install prevents Powerpoint from starting

Anonymous
2022-05-19T11:01:31+00:00

This is about a problme with Mac version of powerpoint. I installed Mathtype several years ago. With MS "updates" (i.e., in reality, performance downgrades) I lost the ability to use it several versions ago. However, as a result of some recent update of powerpoint, I cannot get past an error message saying it cannot start Mathtype. I get a similar message in Word, but I just click it and it starts anyway. Powerpoint witll not go past this point! I have to force quit everytime, so Powerpoint simply will not run. I have been using keynote instead. Any suggestions for how to fix powerpoint?

Microsoft 365 and Office | PowerPoint | For business | MacOS

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Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2022-05-20T21:09:26+00:00

Hi

You might be able to manually delete the MathType files.

in Finder,on theGOmenu choose **Library.**Follow this path to and then open the Add-ins folder.
/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Add-ins/

Look in the Add-Ins folder for something that looks like it might be MathType and trash it.

When we have this problem with Adobe Acrobat, there are files in these folders that have to be deleted, as well. Look for something looks like it could be MathType in these folders:

Delete anything that looks like it might be MathType from the following folders:

  ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/Word/

  ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/PowerPoint/

  ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/Excel/

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-05-19T22:27:54+00:00

    Version 16.61 Office 365. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling powerpoint current version to no avail.

    The insurmountable error message is: Run-time error '53.' File not found: /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office365/User Content.localized/Startup.localized/Powerpoint/MathType.bundle/Contents/MacOS/MTHMacOLEshim

    There is an uninstall program for MathType in Applications, but it will not run in Sierra.

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  2. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-05-19T21:19:14+00:00

    Hi

    If you reply with the version of PowerPoint (or other Office application since you can't open PowerPoint) we can tell you what folder to find the MathType add-in so you can delete it.

    In Microsoft Word, use the menu bar. Choose Word > About Word and you'll see the version number. Please let us know what it is.

    Thanks.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-05-19T13:25:13+00:00

    Hi Thed,

    Thanks for posting in our community.

    Indeed Mathtype is no longer supported in Microsoft Office apps as the equation editor feature released. And I do hope this reference can offer a bit help for your work: Equation Editor (microsoft.com).

    For the current issue caused by the unsupported program and the warning box prevents you from launching PowerPoint to work, the only available workaround we'd sincerely suggest is to download a previous version of PowerPoint which still supports MathType, so that you can still work with MathType in PowerPoint on your Mac.

    Download a previous version from Update history for Office for Mac - Office release notes | Microsoft Docs. And you may need to try download versions before 16.34. See: MathType + Powerpoint - Microsoft Community

    Your understanding and patience are highly appreciated!!

    Best Regards,

    Mia

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