Action keys missing in pdf file

[JohnS]

With PowerPoint 2003, am using action keys in the presentation. Final
presentations are converted to pdf file for usage. Past presentations have
worked fine and they still do.

Using a new corporate template, action keys do not appear in the pdf file
any more. Have tried to identify any setting(s) affecting the action key
conversion from the ppt file to pdf.

Don't seem to find any help on this topic with either Microsoft or Adobe.

Any suggestions here?

 

[JohnS]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the reply and no problem - details coming up:

In the slide show, selected text elements or graphics are overlayed with an
"Action button", for which the "Action setting" typically is a hyperlink to
move to a different slide. In some few cases to show a video or play an audio
file, but lets stick to the "move to" buttons.

When running the slideshow with powerpoint, no problems - it works fine.
Point to the text or graphics, the cursor turns from an arrow to a hand, left
click and the predefined slide is shown. Only error encountered so far, is a
natural, remember to arrange the order of the elements, meaning the action
button is to be brought to front.

Have been using this for years, works fine. When allowing others/partners to
use the presentations, our company does not allow for the release of the ppt
file. Current practice is to convert to Adobe PDF and release the pdf file
only. Again, have been using this for some time now to - it also works fine.

Corporate has now released a new template file (new design guidelines), have
now build an up to date presentation using that new template file. The
powerpoint show works fine again. The convert to Adobe PDF action is also
concluded without any errors or warnings. The pdf file looks fine, can be
printed - everything is as it should be, except for the action buttons. When
pointing at a text element, the cursor turns into a large I, not a hand. When
pointing at a graphics, the cursor turns into a crosshair, not a hand. As
there is no selectable elements, left clicking naturally has no effect.

Conversion of the slideshow to a pdf file is actually a "click on the pdf
button" action, as adobe acrobat is installed.

Opening any powerpoint slideshow, based on the past template, converting it
to pdf - produces a pdf file which just works. Making a presentation from the
new corporate template or just a blank template (file, new, blank
presentation) makes the slideshow work as a powerpoint show, but the pdf file
is without the action buttons. They simply aren't there.

Presume that they (Action buttons) aren't converted to pdf, but fail to
identify what affects the conversion to happen or not. Found no setting in
Powerpoint (Tools, Options) or Adobe (Adobe PDF, Change conversion settings)
that are differently set. Failed to find any guidance in help files or FAQ's
either.

Any solution to this?

Thanks

 

[JohnS]

Done ...

Oooh, this IS a nice chewy one. ;-)

First off, thanks for the add'l detail.

If you're using PPT 2007, make sure you've applied at least SP1 and preferably
SP2. There are some fairly serious hyperlink bugs in the original release.

Is there any chance I could get a look at example presentations based on both old
and new templates? Just one or two slides each, with action buttons that you've
tested and found non-working (when the new version is converted to PDF). If
there's any proprietary stuff like logos/graphics on the masters, you can remove
that first, so long as it doesn't affect the PDF conversion.

If possible, email to steve at-sign pptools dot com (attach the presentation
files and copy this whole message into the body of the email).






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[JohnS]

Hi Steve,

Sorry to disappoint you, but the situation is still status quo.

Have converted all files again restoring defaut settings.

The presentations used in the past still convert correctly.

The new presentation still converts without action buttons being available.

The two presentation files forwarded convert the same as before. The Past
Presentation Example pdf file works, the Presention pdf file fails (no action
buttones anywhere).

May be the difference is due to your Acrobat verion 6 and my version 8.1.6?

Sorry, no solution yet ...