The PPTX format is the primary file format used by Microsoft PowerPoint since the 2007 version, replacing the older binary PPT format. It is based on the Open XML standard (ECMA-376), meaning it is essentially a compressed ZIP archive containing a collection of XML files, media, and other data that define the structure and content of the presentation. This structure allows for greater interoperability, enhanced security features, and significantly reduced file size compared to its predecessor. A PPTX file stores all elements necessary for a complete slideshow, including individual slides, formatted text, embedded images, audio clips, video files, charts, complex animations, speaker notes, and transition effects. Because it adheres to an open standard, many third-party presentation software suites, including those from Google, Apple, and various open-source projects, can read and write PPTX files accurately, ensuring its status as the global industry standard for creating and sharing professional and academic slideshows.