The default file extension for a PowerPoint presentation in PowerPoint 2010 is .pptx.

Default PowerPoint 2010 extension

  • When you create a new presentation in PowerPoint 2010 and click Save or Save As , the program automatically uses .pptx as the default file type.
  • .pptx is the modern, XML‑based Open XML format introduced starting with Microsoft Office 2007 and carried forward in 2010; it replaces the older binary .ppt format from Office 97–2003.

Other common PowerPoint 2010 extensions

Here is a quick comparison of related PowerPoint 2010 extensions:

[9][1][3] [7][2] [5][9] [2][9]
Extension Meaning
.pptx Standard PowerPoint 2010 presentation (default, no macros).
.pptm PowerPoint 2010 presentation that can contain macros (requires enabling macros when opening).
.ppt Legacy format from PowerPoint 97–2003; still supported in 2010 for backward compatibility.
.potx PowerPoint 2010 template (Office Open XML format).
So, if someone asks “what is the default file extension for a PowerPoint presentation in PowerPoint 2010?”, the correct answer is **`.pptx`**.