Sounds files not embedding properly, even with "Link sounds with file size greater .. " set high

[Mitch Gallant]

I'm helping someone edit a PowerPoint document. I think it was created in
Office 2000 (not sure). I changed the setting in Options | General "Link
sounds with file size greater and ..."
and set it to 2000 Kb so that the several smaller MP3 sound clips I want to
associated with slides should be embedded. However this does not seem to
occur. If I remove the PowerPoint (after saving it) from the folder that
originally contained the Mp3 files, the sound files are not "found" and
right-clicking the sound icon and "Edit Sound Object" shows the path to the
sound file in the Information object. Sholdn't that "Information" section
state that the sound file is embedded?? Any ideas why the embedding is not
occurring??

Also, I gather that PowerPoint 2000 cannot Compress images in a PPT document
as PowerPoint 2003 can?
If I compress all images in a PPT 2003 presentation, can it be opened and/or
edited in PowerPoint 2000??

- Mitch

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

I'm helping someone edit a PowerPoint document. I think it was created in
Office 2000 (not sure). I changed the setting in Options | General "Link
sounds with file size greater and ..."
and set it to 2000 Kb so that the several smaller MP3 sound clips I want to
associated with slides should be embedded. However this does not seem to
occur.

No. Only WAV sounds are embedded. That'd explain this:

If I remove the PowerPoint (after saving it) from the folder that
originally contained the Mp3 files, the sound files are not "found" and
right-clicking the sound icon and "Edit Sound Object" shows the path to the
sound file in the Information object. Sholdn't that "Information" section
state that the sound file is embedded?? Any ideas why the embedding is not
occurring??

Also, I gather that PowerPoint 2000 cannot Compress images in a PPT document
as PowerPoint 2003 can?

Yes, you understand that correctly.

If I compress all images in a PPT 2003 presentation, can it be opened and/or
edited in PowerPoint 2000??

That shouldn't be any problem, but just to be on the safe side, I'd make a
backup copy of the presentation before making any drastic revisions like a full
compression blitz.

On general principles, I'd avoid moving the file back and forth between
versions any more than is necessary.

And on the 2003 machine, make sure you've applied all recommended Office
updates (Help, Check For Updates)

 

[Mitch Gallant]

No. Only WAV sounds are embedded. That'd explain this:

Is that documented in PPT docs?
Yeah I'm big on doing judicious backups before trying anything drastic

Thanks,
- Mitch

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Is that documented in PPT docs?

What?? You'd trust the help file before you'd trust US??? ;-)

You don't really want to know my opinion of the documentation supplied with
PowerPoint. Mama always said that if you can't say anything nice, don't say
anything at all. I'll remain (pointedly) silent.

I looked just now through as many pages as I had the patience for and didn't
find anything worth mentioning.

 

[Mitch Gallant]

Well considering that PowerPoint is a MS cash-cow. ... ;-)
Hey .... I've have some opinions about MS documentation, but I agree ...
mums the word .. or loose your MVP?

The other thing in PowerPoint Office 2003 is the settings for starting a
sound file, associated with one slide, and having that sound file forwared
for a few more slides. I know the setting is under:
Custom Animation | Effect Options and "Stop Playing after ... " n
slides.
If that option is not set .. the slide is blocked from advancing 'til the
audio is finished.

Also, when you add a new image to a plain slide template, is there a setting
to automatically centre that image in the slide, if you resize it??
certainly wasn't obvious !

- Mitch Gallant
MVP Security
www.jensign.com

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Well considering that PowerPoint is a MS cash-cow. ... ;-)

I think it's more the case that people buy Office to get a deal on Word and
Excel and maybe Outlook and [shakes box] what's this? [up-ends the box...
THUMP!] Oh. PowerPoint too, huh? kewl.

Hey .... I've have some opinions about MS documentation, but I agree ...
mums the word .. or loose your MVP?

MS may be lousy at documenting stuff but they're cool about the MVP thing.
They're some of the most vocal critics of PPT's various failings.

If MS tossed MVPs out for griping, there'd be none of us left. Surely as a
security MVP you know THAT. ;-)

The other thing in PowerPoint Office 2003 is the settings for starting a
sound file, associated with one slide, and having that sound file forwared
for a few more slides. I know the setting is under:
Custom Animation | Effect Options and "Stop Playing after ... " n
slides.
If that option is not set .. the slide is blocked from advancing 'til the
audio is finished.

See if this 'un helps:
Play sounds across multiple slides (A WAV runs through it)
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00047.htm

Also, when you add a new image to a plain slide template, is there a setting
to automatically centre that image in the slide, if you resize it??
certainly wasn't obvious !

Assuming it's in the center to start, hold down Ctrl while you drag one of the
corner handles.

 

[Mitch Gallant]

MS may be lousy at documenting stuff but they're cool about the MVP thing.
They're some of the most vocal critics of PPT's various failings.

I don't think so! I think you'll find that the line at Microsoft is that if
you aren't 100% pro-Microsoft and their products, then you ain't a Microsoft
person ;-)

- Mitch

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

I don't think so! I think you'll find that the line at Microsoft is that if
you aren't 100% pro-Microsoft and their products, then you ain't a Microsoft
person ;-)

I've been a PPT MVP for probably near on 10 years now.

If sniping at its flaws were enough to get a body bounced, I'd have been
scraping pavement with my nose 9.5 years ago.

I give the MVP program a lot of credit for that.

 

[Mitch Gallant]

I've been a PPT MVP for probably near on 10 years now.

If sniping at its flaws were enough to get a body bounced, I'd have been
scraping pavement with my nose 9.5 years ago.

"Sniping" doesn't count .
Promoting Java interop is real hell-raising ... but I know where to stop
...;-)
I can tell you a story of personal experiences, but then I'm sure my nose
would
be bloodied faster than .. umm. ... can't think of a suitable analogy!

I've been around the MVP block a few years too .. great programme agreed.

- Mitch

 

[Mitch Gallant]

-- snip ----

Assuming it's in the center to start, hold down Ctrl while you drag one of
the
corner handles.

OK I found the setting. It is not on the Format Picture dialog, but on the
Draw toolbar:
(1) Select target item (image etc..)
(2) Draw | Align or Distrubute and then Align Centre (for horizontal) and
Align Middle (for vertical)
(You first have to make sure that the "Relative to slide" checkbox is
checked.

Too bad there wasn't a single setting to align (both horizontal and
vertical) simultaneously

- Mitch

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Too bad there wasn't a single setting to align (both horizontal and
vertical) simultaneously

Free addin ...
http://starterset.pptools.com

Memorize the slide and it'll center and size for you all at once.