chicken or egg, slide resolution vs page set up

[Guest]

I wanted to print my slides so I could mark them up. Went to page set up and
trimmed down the size from something like 11.3" x i forgot what, to fit on
lettersize paper. But this change affected my whole slide show. I really
want the prints to be the slave of the slides, not the other way around. But
the only control I can find for slide resolution let's me choose the typical
1024xwhatever, or 600x800 or 640 x 480. I want 1024xwhatever. But I don't
happen to know what that translates to in page size. I don't know why the
format started with page size 11.3xetc. It was something like 8.6 I think.
Mostly I just want my slides to be the way they were before I changed the
page setting. I hope my prior save was not too long ago...I'll be watching
for a friend out there to illuminate the way out of this conundrum. Thanks.

 

[TAJ Simmons]

LWWilson,

I'd suggest setting up your page size to whatever will be your main output.

So, if your MAIN output is for on-screen, then I'd set up the page for
on-screen.

These will print just fine on letter sized page.

Changing the page size half way through a presentation is just asking for
squished graphics (trouble!).

Cheers
TAJ Simmons
microsoft powerpoint mvp

awesome - powerpoint backgrounds,
http://www.awesomebackgrounds.com
free powerpoint templates, tutorials, hints, tips and more...

 

[Echo Swinford]

I wanted to print my slides so I could mark them up. Went to page set up and
trimmed down the size from something like 11.3" x i forgot what, to fit on
lettersize paper. But this change affected my whole slide show. I really
want the prints to be the slave of the slides, not the other way around. But
the only control I can find for slide resolution let's me choose the typical
1024xwhatever, or 600x800 or 640 x 480. I want 1024xwhatever. But I don't
happen to know what that translates to in page size. I don't know why the
format started with page size 11.3xetc. It was something like 8.6 I think.
Mostly I just want my slides to be the way they were before I changed the
page setting. I hope my prior save was not too long ago...I'll be watching
for a friend out there to illuminate the way out of this conundrum. Thanks.

What TAJ said.

Plus, when you go to File|Print, you can choose the "scale to fit
page" option, and that should take care of your printing issues.

 

[Guest]

You are so nice to answer! So, under Page Set up I should choose "on screen
show" or "overhead" ? I think I want overhead, right?, because it will
ultimately be projected? Would on screen mean lower resolution?

Which takes precedent? Page Set up or Set-Up-Show? Would either one willy
nilly undo the other? It would be typical of me to get caught in a loop like
that.

Part of what threw me off in the first place was that when I Found
Set-Up-Show the choices were, as I mentioned, the standard resolutions or
"Use current". Well I looked all over every menu I could find to see What IS
the current resolution, without changing it. Maybe that's the command I
should be asking for in this post.

How do you find out What Is the resolution if you don't happen to know how
it was originally intended?
Thanks!!

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

What TAJ said ... it's best not to change the page setup in PPT once you've
done much work on the presentation.

Keep in mind that File, Page Setup sets the size of the slides in PowerPoint,
NOT the page size they'll print on when you print.

Choose File, Print and make sure you put a check next to "Scale to fit paper"
Powerpoint will enlarge or reduce your slides as needed (but without
distortion) to fit the paper your printer driver's set for.

To change the printer page size, choose the printer in the print dialog box
then click Properties.

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

You are so nice to answer! So, under Page Set up I should choose "on screen
show" or "overhead" ? I think I want overhead, right?, because it will
ultimately be projected? Would on screen mean lower resolution?

If you'll use a data projector to project directly from the computer, then On
Screen Show is fine. The Page Setup won't affect resolution.

Which takes precedent? Page Set up or Set-Up-Show? Would either one willy
nilly undo the other? It would be typical of me to get caught in a loop like
that.

No worries. They're really not related.

Page Setup is more about slide proportions than anything.
For the most part, you'll want to leave the Slide Show setup at Use Current
Resolution, meaning "Yo, PPT. Adapt this show to whatever resolution the
computer's video card is set to." aka "Don't make me think about this, just do
the Right Thing."

And it will.

Part of what threw me off in the first place was that when I Found
Set-Up-Show the choices were, as I mentioned, the standard resolutions or
"Use current". Well I looked all over every menu I could find to see What IS
the current resolution, without changing it. Maybe that's the command I
should be asking for in this post.

How do you find out What Is the resolution if you don't happen to know how
it was originally intended?

It's the resolution set when you rightclick the Windows desktop, choose
Properties, go to the Settings tab and ... er. Set the resolution.

But really, unless you have some highly technical reasons for worrying about it,
the best bet is to set the page size so that it's proportional to the video
screen (ie, pick On Screen Show) then spend your brain power on making the most
attractive, clear, and effective presentation you can.

 

[TAJ Simmons]

What Echo and Steve said....but also nothing else

TAJ

 

[Echo S]

What Echo and Steve said....but also nothing else

LOL!

 

[Guest]

Hey amigos, was busy, thanks and just to wrap up: I wonder why, when the
^avg (Mac) user goes to Page Set Up, if ppt is so smart, why doesn't it let
me see pixel ratios instead of inches.
By the way, I did undo back to my orig format, 11.11 x 8.33 inches. (How'd
that get started?) And y'all have given me some good info to tuck away and
practise.
But why isn't there a place to go, check slide resolution, find a pixel
number, and feel certain that that won't change when you go fiddling around
with printing paper drafts.
Never ask why. Thanks VERY much you guys.

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Hey amigos, was busy, thanks and just to wrap up: I wonder why, when the
^avg (Mac) user goes to Page Set Up, if ppt is so smart, why doesn't it let
me see pixel ratios instead of inches.

The ratio of height/width will be the same no matter whether it's pixels,
inches, cm or anything else.

The absolute number of pixels isn't fixed, so there's no point in telling you
it is. It'll be whatever your video display is set to. Or the video display
on any other computer where you play it back.

 

[Guest]

Feet on solid ground now -- Do the math lady: 11.11 x 8.33 does equal 1024 x
767.77 -- And I can see the logic in resolution being entirely tied to the
display, sort of. I really appreciate your info!

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Feet on solid ground now -- Do the math lady: 11.11 x 8.33 does equal 1024 x
767.77 -- And I can see the logic in resolution being entirely tied to the
display, sort of. I really appreciate your info!

No problem. If you're used to print media, setting sizes in PPT feels a bit like
building things out of jello.

The trick is not to build stuff. Just pop it in your mouth and squidgle it around
until it melts. Yum!