---
title: ".key file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .key file is an Apple Keynote Presentation. Apple's presentation format — Apple devices and iCloud only. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/key/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .key files

**.key file: Apple Keynote Presentation**

Apple's presentation format — Apple devices and iCloud only.

## What opens a .key file

- **Windows:** iCloud.com Keynote (in a browser)
- **macOS:** Keynote (built in)
- **Linux:** iCloud.com Keynote (in a browser)
- **In a browser:** iCloud.com Keynote

## What a .key file is

Keynote files hold slides, media and Apple's distinctive transitions in a zipped bundle. PowerPoint cannot open one; iCloud.com can, and exports to .pptx or PDF, though the fancier transitions do not translate. Older Keynote documents are directories rather than single files, which is why one occasionally arrives on Windows as a folder full of parts.

## Converting it

A .key file is commonly converted to .pptx, .pdf, .mp4 or .jpg. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .key
- **Full name:** Apple Keynote Presentation
- **Category:** Documents
- **MIME type:** application/vnd.apple.keynote
- **Created by:** Apple
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .key file?

On Windows use iCloud.com Keynote (in a browser); on macOS use Keynote (built in); on Linux use iCloud.com Keynote (in a browser). Apple's presentation format — Apple devices and iCloud only.

### What is a .key file?

Apple Keynote Presentation. Keynote files hold slides, media and Apple's distinctive transitions in a zipped bundle. PowerPoint cannot open one; iCloud.com can, and exports to .pptx or PDF, though the fancier transitions do not translate.

### Can I convert a .key file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .pptx, .pdf, .mp4 or .jpg, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.pdf — Portable Document Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/pdf/)
- [.docx — Word Document (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/docx/)
- [.xlsx — Excel Workbook (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xlsx/)
- [.pptx — PowerPoint Presentation (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/pptx/)
- [.txt — Plain Text File](https://atoneplace.net/file/txt/)
- [.doc — Word Document (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/doc/)
- [.xls — Excel Workbook (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xls/)
- [.ppt — PowerPoint Presentation (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/ppt/)
- [.md — Markdown Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/md/)
- [.rtf — Rich Text Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/rtf/)
- [.pages — Apple Pages Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/pages/)
- [.odt — OpenDocument Text](https://atoneplace.net/file/odt/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)