Creating your own AutoLayouts (PPT 2k)

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Hi,

I am trying to prepare a template for Powerpoint that will incorporate rather complex layouts that need to be repeated over and over again. I would have thought the easiest way to do this would be to create an AutoLayout with all the elements that I require (background design..specific sized placeholders..inserted objects etc) Sounds good, but I have no idea how or if I can indeed set up my own Autolayouts – anyone got any idea?

Thanks

Lor

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Hi Lauren
Yes – I think this is easy (if I have understood your question correctly!)
Start a presention in the normal way and put all your detail you want onto a slide – not a title slide. Then save this as a template – use File | Save As and change the Save as type to PowerPoint Template before saving.
Now, when you start PowerPoint, if you use File | New (you must do this as the template will not appear if you just click on the ‘new presentation’ icon on the toolbar) you will have the option of using the template you just saved. Use this, and all slides will have the detail you want.
Hope this helps.

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…put all your detail you want onto a slide…

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Make that “put the detail in the master slide” and it will work. Otherwise, you will not get a functioning template; slides will not take on that look.

LennyJo

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Hi LennyJo
Oops. Thanks for the correction. Nothing worse than giving people incorrect advice.
Sorry, Lauren.

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I realize what you meant and that you knew the proper way, but posted that add-on in case a newbie read it and got confused.

-LennyJo

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No, you cannot literally create your own AutoLayouts. No version of PowerPoint permits that.

But if all you are trying to do is create a constant look for your slides, use the slide master. In the View menu, choose Master, Slide Master. Adjust the Slide Master how you want (background, placeholder position/size, objects, etc.). Close the master when done and you’ll see all your slides will take on the look of what you created.

Be aware you cannot add extra placeholders (text boxes) to the master slide.

If you have several “looks” or layouts for one presentation, you will have to create them as separate slides and then copy them when needed. Your version of PPT allows only one set of masters (slide master and title master). Version 2002 permits many masters to be used.

LennyJo

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> Be aware you cannot add extra placeholders (text boxes) to the master slide.

I noticed that there are lots of different placeholder arrangements available when I insert a new slide (in 2002). Hmmm…

• Can the one master be changed to one of the other layouts (e.g., left box text bullets, right box image)?
  I see no way to do this, even if I add a new slide master of my own.

• Can new layouts be added to the Slide Layout list? (I gather from the above that the answer is No, but thought I’d check.)[/list]Thanks.

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…lots of different placeholder arrangements… in 2002…

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[/indent]All 5 current versions offer these, which are called AutoLayouts. They are pre-set arrangement and content schemes of placeholders within a slide.
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…Can… master be changed to… other layouts…

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[/indent]No. But you can dictate the default AutoLayout that will appear when you insert a new slide.
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…Can new layouts be added to the Slide Layout list?

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[/indent]No. Again, that list is referred to as the AutoLayouts. New AutoLayouts cannot be created… as much as we begged for that feature (and still do).

LennyJo

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Thanks to you all for getting back to me. Although it appears that all the things I want to be able to do are the very things that I am not able to do! I want to use placeholders and I could get by with just one more Master slide….

Anyhoo, I have gone down the road of a file containing template slides that can then be pasted into a new presentation. Only one wee question this time – is there a way that I can limit the size of a placeholder on a slide. I’ve noticed that if I set a placeholder to be a certain size and then insert an image, the image takes the size and proportions of the placeholder. But when I undo this action the placeholder reverts to its original size and moves out of position.

It may be a small point, but my users can be really dim sometimes!!

Thanks

Lauren

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… things I want to… do are… things that I am not able to do!

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[/indent]Getting past those challenges (in any program) is what separates common users from effectual users. Set your strategy, determine your needs, then reach your objectives with the native tools or workarounds from the more experienced. But don’t give up.

Keep in mind the next upgrade you get will have the multiple masters feature, where you can make and store many masters. They can then be applied to control groups of slides. But even in the newest version, you cannot generate new placeholders or new AutoLayouts.

The technique you describe, using copies of template slides in the file, is a frequently used workaround. I used it back in version 4 and all through the versions to today’s version 11 (beta). So, get comfortable with that method, knowing it is time-tested and proven.

No, you cannot limit the size of a placeholder in any practical fashion.[indent]

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… placeholder to… certain size… insert an image, the image takes size and proportions of placeholder. But… undo… placeholder reverts to original size…

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[/indent]You’re describing a feature of version 2002. Are you sure about the version you are using? (Help|About) Furthermore, what exactly is changing and reverting size, the image or the placeholder? Directly after graphic insertion, in version 2000, undo eliminates the inserted graphic only. How are you inserting graphics? List out the steps so I can replicate your issue and then comment.

LennyJo

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What I have ended up doing is setting out that page layout I want with a placeholder resized to fit the size of the graphic and placed in a specific location. I have used an Object placeholder, so that the user can just double click the placeholder, select “Create from file” and browse the files on their machine and select the picture they want.

However, I know my users well, and I know that they will make mistakes(!). It appears to keep the shape size and location of the placeholder when I use undo, but it is when I delete the picture that the placeholder jumps back to the original size (about half the powerpoint page) and it moves out of place. I’ve played around with it quite a wee bit now, but I can’t see how it will work. I’m just going to have to make sure my users know to only use undo.

and I have checked – it is definitely Office 2k (SR1)

Thanks
Lauren

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Hi Lauren
I have sent a further suggestion to LennyJo – perhaps you might like to monitor his response in this thread and see if he thinks it’s any help (or be dead in the water!)

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Thanks for the suggestions – I’ll give them a wee try and get back to you!

Cheers!

Lauren

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Hi Lauren
Jefferson has pointed out that zip files can be attached, and I’ve attached one to another message to LennyJo (keeps the Mb’s down for the lounge not to include it in every post)
Hope this helps.

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Hi Lenny Jo (and Lauren)
I

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You can always ZIP a template. For those seeking a visual explanation, try this:

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Hi LennyJo
Further to the hint from that helpful Jefferson lounger (thanks Jefferson), I attach the zipped up template.

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