PowerPoint Notes

Why Does My Windows Computer Have No PowerPoint?

The Problem

Many users believe that their Microsoft Windows operating system includes PowerPoint, or other Microsoft Office programs. Their reasoning is that since the operating system is from Microsoft, they just need to find a wee bit. As a reward, they will find full versions of Microsoft Office installed in some folder!

Now I agree that this sounds crazy. However, you only have to read what people write on support forums to understand that people will believe what they want to believe.

The Facts

1. Microsoft Windows is the operating system. You need an operating system such as Windows to run PowerPoint. Incidentally, PowerPoint is also a favorite program for many folks who use that other operating system, Mac OS.
2. You need to buy PowerPoint or Microsoft Office (comprising PowerPoint) separately–it is not part of Microsoft Windows, although some versions of Windows do included bundled Universal app editions of Microsoft Office.
3. You can also download a trial version of Microsoft Office. This trial version works identical to a full version for the period of the trial, and then no longer allows you to edit or save files. However, many users have found that expired trial versions continue allowing opening and viewing of files.
4. If you only need to view PowerPoint presentations, you can download the PowerPoint Viewer.

Other Options

There are more options too, such as using a free version of PowerPoint called PowerPoint Online that works in a browser, or getting academic and education versions, if you are eligible. You can learn more in our Get a Free or Cheaper Copy of Microsoft PowerPoint article.

Filed Under: Troubleshooting
Tagged as: Microsoft Windows, PowerPoint, Windows XP

How Do I Convert My PowerPoint Presentations to VHS?

Do you want to convert your presentation to VHS? You will need to use a slide converter or similar device.

Creating Your Visuals: Converting PowerPoint to Video
– by Jim Endicott

Recording your PowerPoint presentation to VHS
– by Austin Myers

How to Videotape a PowerPoint Presentation
– Microsoft Knowledge Base Article

Filed Under: Techniques
Tagged as: PowerPoint, Video

Click, and all my text becomes white or disappears!

When I click the text placeholder, all my white text gets highlighted in white and I cannot see anything! What can I do?

In PowerPoint 97/2000: Go to Format | Slide Color Scheme. You’ll find your background color set to white. Change it to something darker (or a non-white color).

In PowerPoint 2002/2003: Go to Format | Slide Design. In the activated Slide Design task pane, click Color Schemes. Then click Edit Color Schemes… and change your background color from white to something darker (or a non-white color).

Related Links:

Echo Swinford has a nice Color Schemes tutorial on her site.

Steve Rindsberg’s PowerPoint FAQ has more info – see Text disappears when I edit it

Shyam Pillai’s free Color Schemes Manager allows you to manage and share your PowerPoint color schemes.

Filed Under: Troubleshooting

How Do I Center Content on a PowerPoint Slide?

Do you wish there was a way to center align your slide object in PowerPoint? There is no one-click option that you can use, but this is still an easy process that lets you center your slide objects in PowerPoint.

Follow these steps in any version of PowerPoint:

1. Select your image, shape or any other element.
2. In the Drawing Tools Format tab of the Ribbon, make sure that the Align | Align to Slide option is selected. If this option is already selected, that means you have only one object selected on your slide, and you need not choose the same option again.
3. If you are using a very old version of PowerPoint, look for the Draw toolbar, and choose the Draw | Align or Distribute | Relative to Slide option.
3. Then choose the Align | Distribute Horizontally option, or you can alternatively choose the Align | Align Center option.
4. Or in an older version, choose the Draw | Align or Distribute | Distribute Horizontally option.
4. Finally, choose choose the Align | Distribute Vertically option, or you can alternatively choose the Align | Align Middle option.
5. Or in an older version, choose Draw | Align or Distribute | Distribute Vertically.

In older PowerPoint versions (2003 and earlier), you might want to drag the Align controls off the Draw menu to make it a floating toolbar. In newer versions (2007 and newer), you can add the Align tools to the Quick Access Toolbar.

To make it easier, you might want to get a copy of Steve Rindsberg’s free PPTools Starter Set, which includes a button to pick up the size/position of any shape OR if nothing’s selected, the slide itself. And another button to “hammer” a selected shape to the memorized size/position. Pick up the slide’s size/shape, bring in your image, click the Hammer button, you’re done.

Filed Under: Techniques
Tagged as: Align, Center Align PowerPoint, PowerPoint, Shapes