Flat Pack for Mac FAQ & fixes
If you see Path not found or something went wrong creating the secured PDF, start with the Apple Silicon question below. It is the most common cause on a Mac.
Only the first three slides are being created. Why?
Section titled “Only the first three slides are being created. Why?”You’re running in unlicensed preview mode, which only generates the first three slides. Enter your license to unlock the full add-in: go to Flat Pack → Preferences → License settings and paste your license. It’s in your download file under License.pdf, or in your purchase email.
I get “Path not found” when I click Create PPT or Create PDF
Section titled “I get “Path not found” when I click Create PPT or Create PDF”On an Apple Silicon Mac (M1–M4), this is almost always because PowerPoint isn’t running in Rosetta mode. Follow the Apple Silicon setup guide first. It fixes this for most people.
If you’re not on Apple Silicon, some versions of PowerPoint don’t handle file navigation correctly, and the latest Flat Pack works around it:
- Download the latest version from the download page.
- Close PowerPoint.
- Run the installer you just downloaded. It installs the latest version automatically.
- Reopen PowerPoint.
I see “something went wrong creating the secured PDF” or PowerPoint crashes
Section titled “I see “something went wrong creating the secured PDF” or PowerPoint crashes”On Apple Silicon Macs, this points to Rosetta mode too. First make sure PowerPoint is up to date (PowerPoint → Help → Check for updates), close it, then enable Open using Rosetta. See the Apple Silicon setup guide.
If that doesn’t clear it, do a clean reinstall:
- Remove Flat Pack via PowerPoint → Tools → Add-ins → Remove Flat Pack.
- Update PowerPoint to the latest version.
- Delete the
PowerPoint Add-insfolder in your Documents folder. - Download and run the new installer from the download page.
- Go through Flat Pack setup again.
I get an error adding FlatPack.ppam, or the Flat Pack tab buttons won’t click
Section titled “I get an error adding FlatPack.ppam, or the Flat Pack tab buttons won’t click”Both usually mean PowerPoint needs updating. Go to Help → Check for updates, install anything pending, and restart PowerPoint. Then:
- For the
.ppamerror: create a new blank document and try addingFlatPack.ppamagain via Tools → PowerPoint Add-ins. - For unclickable buttons: first remove Flat Pack via Tools → PowerPoint Add-ins, create a new blank document, then re-add
FlatPack.ppam.
Where do my flattened and secured files go?
Section titled “Where do my flattened and secured files go?”Every flattened and secured file is saved first to Documents → Flat Pack Secured Files. macOS limits where add-ins can save files, so Flat Pack saves them there first. Once a file is created, you’re free to move it anywhere you like.
My flattened PowerPoint looks blurry
Section titled “My flattened PowerPoint looks blurry”Raise the image quality:
- PowerPoint 2019 / Office 365: go to Flat Pack → Preferences → Image Quality and set it to High or Max.
- PowerPoint 2016 v16.25 or older: use File → Export, choose Just one slide, pick JPG or PNG, and set Height or Width to
3070(or your preferred size). Flat Pack reuses this setting for future jobs.
Also check that PowerPoint → Preferences → General → Print Quality (Paper/PDF) is set to High.
My PDF has an extra white margin
Section titled “My PDF has an extra white margin”Trim it in the PDF settings:
- Go to Flat Pack → Preferences → PDF Settings → Remove Margins.
- Enter values for Margin Left and Margin Top. For US letter, try Margin Left: 18 and Margin Top: 24, adjusting for your page size.
My PDFs come out blank, or I get path errors mid-process
Section titled “My PDFs come out blank, or I get path errors mid-process”Keep the PowerPoint you’re working on in a plain local folder, such as Downloads, not one actively synced by iCloud or OneDrive. Sync can lock the temporary files Flat Pack creates mid-process, which causes blank PDFs and path errors. Also make sure your Documents and Desktop are true local folders and not iCloud-synced versions.
My links stopped working after flattening
Section titled “My links stopped working after flattening”When Flat Pack converts slides to images, links inside textboxes become part of the image and stop working. Select the textbox or shape with the link, click Do not flatten in the Flat Pack tab, then click Create PPT or Create PDF again. Shapes and pictures with links keep their links in PDFs automatically. Only textbox links need this.
macOS won’t let me install the .pkg file
Section titled “macOS won’t let me install the .pkg file”Open System Preferences → Security & Privacy and set Allow apps downloaded from to App Store and identified developers, then run the installer again.
What are the requirements?
Section titled “What are the requirements?”Flat Pack runs on any version of macOS, but you need Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2016 or newer installed. Flat Pack is an add-in that works inside PowerPoint. It isn’t a standalone app.
Can I buy Flat Pack for Mac on TPT?
Section titled “Can I buy Flat Pack for Mac on TPT?”No. Flat Pack for Mac is sold only on the Bearwood Labs website, not on Teachers Pay Teachers. You can buy it here.
What do I get when I buy it?
Section titled “What do I get when I buy it?”A full Flat Pack license, the Flat Pack for Mac cheat sheet, a download link that always gets you the latest version, and continued support.
Where is the billing policy?
Section titled “Where is the billing policy?”See refunds and billing for the current policy.
Is this the same as the Windows version of Flat Pack?
Section titled “Is this the same as the Windows version of Flat Pack?”No. Flat Pack for Mac and Flat Pack for Windows are separate products with separate licenses, and the licenses are not interchangeable. See Windows vs Mac licenses for details.
Something not covered here? See contact support.