David0126 said:
I want to be able to send ASCII text strings using a serial port to a
lighting controller when Powerpoint slides change. What is the best
way to impliment this? Should I be using some other software with
this capability?
As Austin's mentioned, you'd need to write some code to do this in VBA
You used to be able to get away with writing to COMn: as though it were a file.
Doesn't give you much in the bi-di communications department but might do the
job for you. I've no way to test this but it can't hurt to give it a try:
Sub HowBoutThis()
Dim sTestString as String
sTestString = "The string you want to send to the port"
Open "COM1:" For Output As 1
Print #1, sTestString
Close #1
End Sub
Another possibility: your controller hardware may have come with utility
software that lets you send strings. If it includes a program that allows you
to put the string to be sent on the command line, you could set an action
button's action setting to Run Program and fill in the full command line in the
run program box.
As far as triggering it when slides change, see:
Make PPT respond to events
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00004.htm