Living with 03 and 07

[Rick Altman]

As I get to know the new version of PowerPoint, I am working it and 03
simultaneously (sometimes literally). I have found no issues with that at
all, except that 07 insists upon taking ownership of .ppt files, even though
its native extension is .pptx.

This should be an easy fix, right? Have any of you tried it. Not so easy...

- Using the "Open With" choice from standard file windows doesn't work
- Using the File Types tab in Folder Options doesn't work. It shows a path
straight
to the 03 app, but still, when you launch a .ppt file, 07 steps in.
- I even tried hacking the Registry, although not very elegantly.


My working theory is that because both versions open with an .exe file of
the identical name, Windows doesn't make the distinction that it normally
does, so it allows the more recently-installed app to take over. I tried
renaming the .exe file for one of the apps, but then it really gets angry.

I just want .ppt files to open in 03 and .pptx files to open in 07. I'll
gladly hack the Registry, if that's what it takes and if someone can show me
where to touch down with my scalpel...




Rick A.
PowerPoint Live
www.pptlive.com

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

My working theory is that because both versions open with an .exe file of

the identical name, Windows doesn't make the distinction that it normally
does, so it allows the more recently-installed app to take over.

I don't think you'll be able to ride that 'un too far. All versions of PPT
back to '97 are named POWERPNT.EXE

Some versions re-claim all of the file associations for themselves at startup.
Might be something along those lines. [Meanders off into VMland mumbling
incantations to self, drinks the chardonnay, gets very small, drinks the
shiraz, gets very large, eats the magic shiitake, returns to normal or as close
as it gets ...]

Um. No. 2007 doesn't mess with associations once changed. Or at least I was
able to have Windows open PPT files in Notepad.

If you do the advancedance in Tools, Folder Windows etc and edit the Open
action for PPT files, it'll be something like:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\POWERPNT.EXE" "%1"

Full path to Office 12. Try changing the path to match your install path for
Office 12-x.

Quiz in the morning. Let's see how you look in tatters and wreathed in smoke.

 

[Shyam Pillai]

I have no such issue. I've set PPT to open in PPT 2003 and PPTX in PPT 2007.
This is on Vista Ultimate.


--
Regards,
Shyam Pillai

Image Importer Wizard
http://skp.mvps.org/iiw.htm

 

[Rick Altman]

I will definitely fail your quiz, Steve, because I didn't understand the
answer at all. What is an install path for Office 12-x and why would I want
to point an association to an install path? I'm certainly intrigued by this,
but I haven't a clue what it is you're actually suggesting!

 

[Rick Altman]

On Windows XP, it doesn't seem nearly so straightforward to force PPT files
to open in 2003. I'd be curious if anyone here has done it, and if so,
how...

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

I will definitely fail your quiz, Steve, because I didn't understand the
answer at all. What is an install path for Office 12-x and why would I want
to point an association to an install path? I'm certainly intrigued by this,
but I haven't a clue what it is you're actually suggesting!

The path to where Office is installed. Per the example, full path to your
PowerPnt.exe file ... change it to match the path to the PPT EXE version you
want it to run

 

[Echo S]

Check out this PPT FAQ, Rick.

Changing a File Association, Repairing broken File Associations
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00355.htm

The section starting with "You can also get to the root of the problem by
editing the Open action for the file association directly" is what you want.

Aw, heck. I might as well copy it here. (Not sure how it's going to show up
in plain text, though.)

You can also get to the root of the problem by editing the Open action for
the file association directly:

a.. Use Windows Explorer to locate a PowerPoint PPT file. Click once to
highlight it.
b.. From the menu bar, choose Tools, Folder Options
c.. In the Options dialog box, click the File Types tab
d.. Scroll through the Registered File Types list to Microsoft PowerPoint
Presentation and double-click it (or if using Windows 2000, click it then
click Advanced in the area below).
e.. In the resulting Edit File Type dialog box, double-click Open in the
Actions list.
f.. In the text box labeled Application used to perform action, you should
see

"X:\abc\def\PowerPnt.EXE" "%1"

where X:\abc\def\ represents the full path to the folder where
PowerPnt.EXE is located. If you don't know the exact path, use the Browse
button and locate PowerPnt.EXE.
The quote marks should be entered exactly as shown. One set of quotes
around the path to PowerPnt.EXE, another set around "%1"
g.. Click OK and/or Close until you're back in Windows Explorer.
h.. Now try doubleclicking the problem PowerPoint file again.

Notes:

a.. You may want to perform the same steps for PPS as well as PPT files.
b.. If you're having problems with some other application's files,
substitute the appropriate file type and application names above.
c.. You can also set Print and sometimes other actions here. If the Open
action setting was incorrect, the others may be as well. It's particularly
important to have the %1 surrounded by quote marks.

 

[Rick Altman]

That's what's so mysterious about this, Echo -- that was the first place I
went to, whereupon I found this for Application Used:

"C:\Program Files\Office 2003\OFFICE11\POWERPNT.EXE" "%1"

That is the exact path to PowerPoint 2003, and yet 2007 is stepping in and
intercepting any double-clicks on PPT files.


This is why I'd like to hear from others who:

- Are still running XP
- Who had 03 on their systems
- And then installed 07


Meanwhile, I'll investigate further...

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

That's what's so mysterious about this, Echo -- that was the first place I
went to, whereupon I found this for Application Used:

"C:\Program Files\Office 2003\OFFICE11\POWERPNT.EXE" "%1"

That is the exact path to PowerPoint 2003, and yet 2007 is stepping in and
intercepting any double-clicks on PPT files.

Does it behave differently when 2007's running already when you dblclick a PPT
file vs when 2003's running vs neither vs both.

[There, that oughta keep him happily occupied past happy hour and we can snarf
up all the drinks]

 

[Rick Altman]

'Fraid not. It makes no difference whether one or both are running...

 

[Shyam Pillai]

Rick,

Try the following and see if it makes any difference:

- Start Windows Explorer
- Select Tools | Folder Options, switch to File Types tab
- Scroll down to PPT under registered file types.
- Select PPT and click on Advanced.
- Select Open from the list.
- Click on Edit.
- Confirm that the Path points to PPT 2003 executable.
- Untick 'Use DDE'
- Click OK
- Click OK
- Click Close

Try double-clicking a .PPT file.

--
Regards,
Shyam Pillai

Image Importer Wizard
http://skp.mvps.org/iiw.htm

 

[Rick Altman]

Shyam, you rock! That was indeed the missing link!

What led you to suspect Dynamic Data Exchange?



RA