Add in shortcuts

  • Thread starter Thread starter Caroline
  • Start date Start date
C

Caroline

I have just installed the Shortcuts manager add in from
http://officeone.mvps.org and was trying to customize my shortcuts and
followed these instructions:

Select Tools | Customize Shortcuts... menu item.
Locate and select Shortcuts for PowerPoint category.
Locate and select Next slide on all open presentations command.
Press the desired key combination in Assigned shortcut to command box. I put
F1.
Locate and select Previous slide on all open presentations command.
Press the desired key combination in Assigned shortcut to command box. I put
F2
Click OK button.


The F1 and F2 buttons do nothing when pressed. Shouldn't it work and get me
to the next slides in both open presentations?
I can go to the next and previous slides on both my presentations but only
when clicking on "shortcuts", then selecting "design presentations" and
finally "next/previous slide on all open presentations". That is NOT a
shortcut...

How can I get my keyboard shortcuts to work?
Thank you for the help!
Caroline
 
(possible double post)
I've been trying to find a good keyboard solution to PowerPoint 07. The idea
that you can't customize keys to the level that has been available for over a
decade is ridiculous. I have looked at 2 add-ons (nothing like paying 3rd
party to add shortcuts), however so far their flexibility has been limited as
well, either by not having full access to some commands professional users
frequently access, or by having the limit of 2 keys (alt+1, ctrl+1) which
prevents bucketing like commands like the old alignment options of alt
R-A(T,L,B,R etc.). After just a month into using PowerPoint 07, the wear and
tear on my wrist from mousing and a ribbon mapped out by like items vs actual
workflow is noticeable. Fortunately I can edit the ribbon, though keyboard is
greater than the mouse for professional users and ppt07 has made the keyboard
less effective than every previous version of PowerPoint I have used (going
as far back as ppt 4.1).
 
In previous versions there were two approaches to add shortcut keys, though
not as easy as in Word, it allowed flexibility. If you added a button and
choose show text (or text and image) putting an "&" before a letter in the
button name bound that to "alt + letter". Now given this was an alt +1 that
was good for the most frequent of commands (even worked in msgraph), to add a
bit of depth to key command, you could add commands to existing pulldown
menus or create your own, and follow the same add "&" before the desired
letter. For example, I like pick up and apply object style better than format
painter. I put them onto the Format menu, and made their text &Pickup and
"Apply&Default" respectively. This made alt O P pick up an object style and
alt O D apply the style.
Being able to embed key commands in menus allow enough flexibility to add
virtually any number of commands and organize them together for easy memory
(I probably bound in the range of 100 key commands between custom macros and
menu commands with no default keystrokes in earlier versions).
I know many key commands will show with the alt, but I have found a lot that
are not there, and that the delay is a bit clunky, or the continue with
previous version key command ending in nothing happening. I'm generally quick
adapting to new software, quirks, changes and while I am adapting, the lack
of keyboard customization prevents coming close to previous levels of
efficiency.
 
No doubt they were focusing on low end / new users. But on that end they
missed the mark as well. From power users to first time users, I've yet to
see anyone personally who has been happy with the upgrade (pool of feedback
being a few hundred).
I'm hoping SP2 has some degree of a fix for this. Aiming for the lowest
common denominator is one thing, but to remove the ability to customize a
keyboard basically gives the finger to power users.
If not, hopefully the existing 3rd parties capitalizing off this blunder
expand their capabilities to be reasonably close to old school customization
options.
 
I've not downloaded the RibbonCustomizer from Patrick Schmid, I had tested 2
others that were specifically for powerpoint keyboard shortcuts. Does the RC
have the ability to add in key commands? I had debated trying it a bit ago to
customize the ribbon, but I would up finding Office 07 Custom UI Editor to
work well enough (albeit a bit clunky and takes getting used to). I'm still
learning more with it, but have redone the toolbars for graphs in ppt (though
need SP2 to actually get that toolbar to where I want it) and have managed to
add my own edit boxes tied into macros on the ribbon with it (though trying
to find a way to tab from one editbox to the next, even the defaults in ppt,
like say shape height/width don't tab the way you'd expect on a form, could
be a control issue). But before going too far off tangent, I may try the
trial version of the RC, the classic tabs alone could be a good launching
point for fixing the ribbon in ppt.

I know there will be users who like the ribbon, generally those looking to
make something look flashy with little content and little effort will be
thrilled. I know in the past the 4-5 hours a week group has been the target
audience for ppt development. I wouldn't mind that knowing they're marketing
for the widest range, but I do mind when power users get reamed hard in the
process. At least in excel 2007 there were actual additions and improvements
to some of the tools (albeit and some downgrades on the charts). But at least
I see some give and take there. In ppt I say a lot of take, and am still
searching for the give.
 
I downloaded the trial looks interesting, but I've become decent with the xml
editor for the ribbon. Looking at their samples it looks like there is a way
to get some keyboard commands in (looking at their classic ribbon ui), but
not seeing it hit a top level button. A good start at least, all things
considered.
 
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