Unfortunately, in general, Microsoft does not work well with layered Photoshop (.psd) files. This includes Windows Explorer previewing them or PowerPoint being able to insert them. I do a lot of work in Photoshop, so I have a lot of Photoshop files for each presentation project. Sometimes, it is a time trap waiting for Photoshop to open the files just to identify if it is a needed file for the presentation. This is especially true when I receive 1-2-30GB files from a graphic department. It takes even a fast computer some time to process a 30GB file with upwards of 50 layers.
Here is a quick way to open, view and identify what those large files are.
1. In Photoshop, go to FILE>>OPEN and select the .psd file
![](https://thepowerpointblog.com/media/blogs/all/11_Mar/PSD_Composite_1.jpg?mtime=1297792057)
2. If the OPEN button is clicked, the full file opens, including all of the layers
![](https://thepowerpointblog.com/media/blogs/all/11_Mar/PSD_Composite_2.jpg?mtime=1297792066)
3. But if the SHIFT and ALT keys are held down, then the OPEN button the file opens as a flattened composite image
![](https://thepowerpointblog.com/media/blogs/all/11_Mar/PSD_Composite_3.jpg?mtime=1297792074)
![](https://thepowerpointblog.com/media/blogs/all/11_Mar/PSD_Composite_4.jpg?mtime=1297792084)
![](https://thepowerpointblog.com/media/blogs/all/11_Mar/PSD_Composite_5.jpg?mtime=1297792093)
The advantage is the file, any size, opens instantly. The disadvantage is if layers are turned off they are not visible. I generally create a small .jpg with the same file name for easy reference in Windows explorer.
– Troy @ TLC