Convert 7ZIP to POTM in C# .NET

What is 7ZIP file format?

The 7Z file format is a highly popular and open source file format that is widely used for both archiving and data compression. Developed by Igor Pavlov, the 7Z format is utilized by the 7-Zip archiver for creating compressed archives. With its ability to compress a wide range of file types, including executable files, Office documents, and multimedia files, it has become a popular choice among users. One of the most significant advantages of the 7Z format is its high compression ratio, which results in smaller file sizes compared to other compression formats.

Due to its low file size and robust security features, the 7Z format is increasingly being used as a preferred method for transferring large files over the internet. It allows archives to be password-protected and encrypted for additional security, and archives can also be split into multiple volumes or parts for easy transmission or storage on external media.

With support available in numerous archiving programs, including 7-Zip, PeaZip, and WinRAR, the 7Z format is prevalent in the open-source community. It has emerged as a viable solution for developers to bundle multiple files into a single archive for software delivery. The 7Z format also enables the compression of files within an archive without extracting them, making it an efficient and flexible solution for both small and large file archiving and transportation. All in all, the 7Z file format provides a reliable, secure, and efficient way to package and transport files of all types and sizes.

What is POTM file format?

A POTM file refers to a macro-enabled presentation template created using Microsoft PowerPoint, a software program used for creating slide show presentations. It includes default images, slide templates, macros, and formatting. POTM files are commonly used by PowerPoint users to create multiple .PPTM files with consistent designs and macro settings.

POTM files offer additional functionality compared to typical presentation files, as they support macros. Macros are script-like functions that automate repetitive tasks within PowerPoint. Users can record macros that can be replayed to perform specific actions and assign them to buttons or keystrokes for convenient execution. To record a macro, users can select View → Macros in PowerPoint.

For general presentation creation, users can save their files as .PPTX or .POTX files. However, if they want to create a template that incorporates macros, they can save their presentation as a POTM file.

It’s worth noting that POTM files were introduced by Microsoft when they released Microsoft Office 2007.

To open a POTM file, Microsoft PowerPoint (2007 or later) is the recommended application for full support of presentation formatting and embedded macros on both Windows and macOS. Alternative applications like Apache OpenOffice Impress, Kingsoft Presentation, and Apple Keynote can also open POTM files, but some formatting and macros may not be fully preserved. For Mac users looking to view a POTM file without editing, Apple Preview (bundled with macOS) or Google Drive, a free cloud storage service, can be used.

Online platforms like Google Slides allow users to upload POTM files for viewing, editing, and conversion. However, it’s important to note that Google Slides does not support macros.

To convert a POTM file, various presentation applications including Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, and OpenOffice Impress offer conversion capabilities. In Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows and Mac, users can select File → Save As and choose from formats such as .PPTX, .PPT, .PDF, .ODP, .XPS, .MP4, .WMV, .JPEG, and .PNG to convert the POTM file to their desired format.