Getting Slide # to Auto-Appear in PP '07 an Utter Mystery

[CharlieBrown]

I have read reference books, the online help guide, and read through footer
entries on this discussion group. I have not been able to see any clear
guidance; I see users figuring out without saying what they did. Any help
you could provide would be much appreciated:

I have a MS PowerPoint 2007 presentation file that has 8 layouts that appear
when I select View-->SlideMaster

I have tried entering a placeholder (Slide Master-->Insert
Placeholder-->Text); when "placeholder" is selected, I select "Slide Number"
(Insert-->Slide Number). When I do this, I get "<#>" entered in the
placeholder. I did this to each of the 8 layouts.

When I return to Normal view to add a slide from any one of the 8 layouts...
the placeholder is there...but it shows "<#>"...slide number does not appear.
I can select the placeholder and MANUALLY insert the page number (it
appears). But I can't get anything automatic.

I've tried to use Insert-->Header&Footer. I've tried clicking all or part
of the choices provided; either way, I can't get anything to show up in
either the layouts, or the slides.

I can't believe PP '07 has made this so difficult.

 

[LVTravel]

I have read reference books, the online help guide, and read through
footer
entries on this discussion group. I have not been able to see any clear
guidance; I see users figuring out without saying what they did. Any help
you could provide would be much appreciated:

I have a MS PowerPoint 2007 presentation file that has 8 layouts that
appear
when I select View-->SlideMaster

I have tried entering a placeholder (Slide Master-->Insert
Placeholder-->Text); when "placeholder" is selected, I select "Slide
Number"
(Insert-->Slide Number). When I do this, I get "<#>" entered in the
placeholder. I did this to each of the 8 layouts.

When I return to Normal view to add a slide from any one of the 8
layouts...
the placeholder is there...but it shows "<#>"...slide number does not
appear.
I can select the placeholder and MANUALLY insert the page number (it
appears). But I can't get anything automatic.

I've tried to use Insert-->Header&Footer. I've tried clicking all or part
of the choices provided; either way, I can't get anything to show up in
either the layouts, or the slides.

I can't believe PP '07 has made this so difficult.

While I still prefer PPT 03, if you follow the instructions below I think
you will be happy. Don't know what issue your are having but it is
relatively straightforward to place the slide numbers on the slides.

Click View, Master Slide. On the first master slide (should be bigger than
the rest and have the number 1 in the upper left corner) click the # in the
lower right corner footer and highlight it by clicking and dragging the
mouse over it. Once highlighted click Insert on the ribbon. Click Slide
Number. This should create the incrementing slide number. You can then
click Home and change the font and size of the slide number. After putting
the slide number on the footer, click View on the Ribbon and then Normal to
get back to the regular slides.

Hope this helps.

 

[CharlieBrown]

LVTravel, you state:
"click the # in the lower right corner footer and highlight it by clicking
and dragging the mouse over it"

The slide you reference in the "Slide Master" View is blank. No "#"
appears. Reference books state you must insert a "placeholder"; however this
function is "greyed out" on this slide...only works in slides below the
"bigger" one you suggest I use.

As stated, I've tried putting placeholders in those other slides, and using
the "Insert Slide Number", but no slide number shows up in normal view of
slides.

 

[LVTravel]

LVTravel, you state:
"click the # in the lower right corner footer and highlight it by clicking
and dragging the mouse over it"

The slide you reference in the "Slide Master" View is blank. No "#"
appears. Reference books state you must insert a "placeholder"; however
this
function is "greyed out" on this slide...only works in slides below the
"bigger" one you suggest I use.

As stated, I've tried putting placeholders in those other slides, and
using
the "Insert Slide Number", but no slide number shows up in normal view of
slides.

Sounds like your settings are corrupted. Now if I can just think how to
restore those settings (Word is easy.)

When you click the Office button and then New, Blank and Recent, Blank and
then Create then go to View, Slide Master, do you see the setup that I
described in my previous. If so, the template that you are using for your
presentation is possibly corrupt. If not the Blank presentation template is
corrupt. Again, trying to think how to fix that issue.

But here is Microsoft's way of doing it.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/HA101181931033.aspx

I'm going to be away from the computer for about 1 day so I'll post back
when I have more. If any of the others would like to help, feel free.

 

[Lucy Thomson]

Hi CharlieBrown

What happens if (while in normal view) you use Insert -> Slide Number ->
Slide tab -> tick 'slide number' -> click 'apply to all'? Do you get a slide
number? Try tabbing through all the elements on the slide to see if it's
there but maybe behind something/the font colour is the same as the
background/something like that.

Lucy

PS I promise I won't take the ball away this time ;-)