Thomas Wallace: Lectures and Resources - A collection of website design lectures and resources

Expanding the Functionality of PowerPoint

When using most any application, there comes a time when there is something we would like the application do that it is incapable of doing. PowerPoint is no exception in this module we will look at the add-in's feature of Powerpoint and how it allows to expand the application's functionality.

In this example we will install a PowerPoint Add-in (.ppa) that will allow us to set the default slide layout.

Download the Add-in

  1. Download Here (Right Click Save target as)

Enable Macros in PowerPoint 2003

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. Click the Security tab.
  3. Under Macro Security, click Macro Security.
  4. Click the Security Level tab, and then select the security level that you want to use. For our purposes we will set this to MEDIUM to allow add-ins to run within Powerpoint.

Install the Add-in

  1. With PowerPoint Open go to the Tools Menu and select the Add-Ins Item
    Addins
  2. From the Add-Ins Dialog Box Select Add-New
    Addins
  3. Copy the layout.ppa file from you desktop and paste it into the open window

Addins

  1. Once the file has been pasted in to the Add-Ins Window, make sure you have the file selected and then press ok.
  2. You should be asked if you would like to enable macros. Select Enable Macros.

Enable Macros

  1. You should be directed back Add-Ins Dialog box. Make sure the layout add-in is check and then press ok.
  2. You should now see a new menu item in the tool bar that allows you to set the default slide type. Addins