Can I, for example, embark on it contained by MS Word -- which I do hold?
Answers: No, the folder formats are different. Go into microsoft's website and download the powerpoint bystander they own near. It will allow you to picture your PPT record.
Alternatively, you could use OpenOffice.org's Presentation to procure the errand done, it will tender you read/write access to the report beside a illustrious compatibility ratio. Plus OpenOffice.org is Free Software (Free as surrounded by Freedom, not Free as within Free Beer).
Yes, at smallest I be competent to.