MacBook Powerpoint delay when typing

Question

Hello,

I am using a MacBook Pro (2014) with macOS High Sierra version 10.13.3 and PowerPoint version 16.10 (180210) through an Office-365 subscription.

For a while now I have problems with PowerPoint when it comes to typing in text. There is always a short delay/lag of 2-3 seconds before the typed text actually appears on screen. In a fast paced work environment, this makes it impossible for me to use PowerPoint.

This problem only appears in PowerPoint and not in any other program.

I have tried everything from restarting the Mac to uninstalling and installing PowerPoint, nothing helps. I am the only user of this MacBook and the hardware itself is fine. It is definitely an issue specific to PowerPoint, last year it was all still working properly.

Can anyone help me out to fix this issue?

Many thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi Christian,

The result of your testing in Safe Mode suggests there is a bad or duplicate font on your Mac. There is also a known issue with non-Microsoft fonts and PowerPoint version 16.9 update and later. You can't do anything about non-Microsoft fonts showing up until there's an update, but the typing speed issue seems to be related to a bad or duplicate font.

Follow instructions here - except select ALL your fonts (Command-A) before running the validate fonts command so you don't spend all day validating them one at a time.

Font Book for Mac: Validate fonts in Font Book - Apple Support

Answer 2

Hi Chris24_584,

First I suggest you restart your Mac and then open the PowerPoint 2016 for Mac application to see the result.

Meanwhile, to clarify the issue in your environment, I’d like you to confirm and provide the following.

1. When did the issue happen? Did the issue happen after you updated your PowerPoint 2016 for Mac application?
2. Record a video showing the issue and provide the video link in https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/privatemessage/inbox.
3. Check if the issue occurs in a specific file.

Thanks,

Cliff

Answer 3

Hi Chris24_584,

Thanks for your video in PM.

From the video, the words indeed delay in your PowerPoint 2016 for Mac. I do a test in the PowerPoint 2016 for Mac application 16.10 (180210) and find no such issue.

So to exclude some factors, I’d like you to run your Mac in Safe Mode to see and let us know the result.

Disclaimer:  Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.

Meanwhile, I suggest you change a keyboard to do a test and also leyt us know the outcome.

Thanks,

Cliff

Answer 4

Hi Chris24_584,

Please let us know your updates at your convenience if you need further help on this issue.

Thanks,

Cliff

Answer 5

Hello Cliff,

thank you for your answer.

As you said, I booted my Mac in Safe Mode and did a test in PowerPoint. There I did not encounter a delay specific to PowerPoint and the words did not appear in blocks. However in Safe Mode everything was a bit slow and laggy, I have never used Safe Mode before and I do not know if this is usual. Nonetheless, while in Safe Mode I tried typing in PowerPoint, Word and Pages and the typing-speed was in all three cases the same.

Back in Normal Mode PowerPoint is still lagging while Word and Pages are perfectly normal.

I do not have access to an external keyboard and can not try this. However I have never encountered this delay while typing in any other program therefore I do not think it is an issue with my keyboard.

Regards,

Christian