Can blank.pot be my solution?

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On May 31, I had a post re: How to ALLOW ADDITION to but PREVENT DELETION
from a design template? You may want to read that first. I like Echo's
suggestion. Today I came across this link
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00245.htm. It sounds like blank.pot can
serve my purpose. Can someone shed some light on this, please? I assume
other users can use my default design template and add to it but can't really
change what I have created. If a user also saves it to blank.pot, will my
original default template be overwritten or can both templates exist and show
up under "available for use?"

I am new to PPT and am not comfortable experimenting with system/default
issues right now. Appreciate any comments/advice.

Epinn
 
On May 31, I had a post re: How to ALLOW ADDITION to but PREVENT DELETION
from a design template? You may want to read that first. I like Echo's
suggestion. Today I came across this link
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00245.htm. It sounds like blank.pot can
serve my purpose. Can someone shed some light on this, please? I assume
other users can use my default design template and add to it but can't really
change what I have created.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what in that FAQ entry would have given you that idea. Let me know
and I'll delete it ;-)

Seriously:

If I have your template file, I can easily open it and make any changes I wish
(assuming that it's not protected in one of the other ways mentioned earlier).

If I have a presentation (PPT file) *based* on your template, then the template
is part of the PPT file. I can View, Master, Slide/Title Master and change it
however I like. I can also choose File, Save As and save out a copy of your
template (or my modified version of it). And later edit that further if I like.

Your choice of template has no effect on the security/editability of your
presentations.
 
Steve, Thanks for your reply. You wrote: "I'm not sure what in that FAQ
entry would have given you that idea." Let's say it is wishful thinking. I
have more questions than answers now.

I said I didn't want to play with the system but somehow I might have messed
it up. Please help.

I keyed "testing blank.pot" to the main title of one slide and then I saved
it as "testing blank.pot" with design template as file type. Now, as soon as
I open PowerPoint, this default slide comes up. I am really surprised
because my file name is "testing blank.pot" and not "blank.pot." Now, how
should I restore to what I had before. Should I overwrite "blank.pot" which
I have no idea what it is now.

Appreciate your advice.

Epinn
 
Continuation of my other reply.

I deleted the file "testing blank.pot" and the slide I created still showed
up a few times. Now, it has disappeared. I have no idea what was going on.

If I open PPT now, my first (default) slide will be title/text layout. Can
someone tell me what I should do to restore to the original PPT default i.e.
title layout. Is that the default?

After all this, I am totally confused about what blank.pot is.

Originally, I thought it was the default design template (1st one under
available for use in the design template task pane). Now I am wondering if
it is the default title (main title and subtitle) slide LAYOUT.

I do know that if I create a slide and save it as blank.pot with file type
being design template, I'll see my slide as default as soon as I open PPT.
Maybe not, because I haven't really tried it yet.

Help, please.
 
If I open PPT now, my first (default) slide will be title/text layout. Can
someone tell me what I should do to restore to the original PPT default i.e.
title layout. Is that the default?
Click to expand...

Normally the first slide in a new presentation will be a title slide based on the
Slide master if there's no Title Master in the template, or on the Title Master if
there IS a Title Master.

If your template has any slides in it already, PowerPoint uses them rather than
adding a new title slide.

It sounds as though that may be your problem.

What version of PPT do you use?
When you start it and create a new presentation, what does it say in the status bar
at the bottom of the screen? It will show you the name of the template your
presentation is based on.
After all this, I am totally confused about what blank.pot is.
Click to expand...

When you start PPT, it usually opens with a blank presentation.
That's based either on a built-in set of defaults for blank presentations or, if you
saved a template under a special name (ie, blank.pot, but it depends on the PPT
version) or told PPT always to use it as your default template (in 2003 and I think
2002) then it uses that instead for new presentations.
 
Thank you very much for your response, Steve. I use V. 2003. Fortunately,
I restored the system to what it was before by deleting "blank.pot" which was
title/text layout. I don't know why "blank.pot" existed because I was sure
that the file name I used was "testing blank.pot" and I did see it in the
templates folder. Anyway, after the experiment, I have a better (may not be
100%) understanding of the behavior of "blank.pot." Your post was very
helpful; it confirmed a few things that I suspected.

My nervousness stemed from the impression that when I saved a template under
the name "blank.pot," I actually overwrote the system default file. Now, I
realize that "blank.pot" is quite similar to other templates that I download
or create BUT with a little twist. Like all other templates, when
"blank.pot" is created, it goes to the templates folder. If I don't want it,
I can easily delete the file in the templates folder. (But, I can't delete
the system's sets of defaults.) The way "blank.pot" is different from the
other templates is that the system will look for and display it when PPT is
invoked, whereas other template names won't have this effect. Please correct
me if I am wrong.

One thing I still don't understand. Why does "blank.pot" work fine when I
don't set my defaults in the MASTER view? For example, when I open PPT, I
see the system default i.e. title slide (click to add title, click to add
subtitle). I format the background to white marble texture in the NORMAL
view. Then I save the slide as "blank" with file type being design template.
Close PPT. When I reopen PPT, I see the white marble background.
Everything is fine even though I don't use the MASTER view. If I save the
template as any name other than "blank," I must work with the MASTER view for
the template to be effective. Would you please explain this to me, Steve.
Ideally, I should work with the MASTER view, regardless ..... Agree?

By the way, thanks for telling us about www.orgplusexpress.com via a
separate thread.

Epinn
 
My nervousness stemed from the impression that when I saved a template under
the name "blank.pot," I actually overwrote the system default file.
Click to expand...

That's understandable. But actually there isn't any system default file. Blank.pot is,
in a sense, built into PPT, but if PPT *sees* an external Blank template file, it uses
that instead of its built-in info.

Now, I
realize that "blank.pot" is quite similar to other templates that I download
or create BUT with a little twist. Like all other templates, when
"blank.pot" is created, it goes to the templates folder. If I don't want it,
I can easily delete the file in the templates folder. (But, I can't delete
the system's sets of defaults.)
Click to expand...

Right, but if you want to change the defaults, you can create a blank template under the
correct name with your own desired defaults. PPT will use YOUR blank template instead of
its own internal one.
The way "blank.pot" is different from the
other templates is that the system will look for and display it when PPT is
invoked, whereas other template names won't have this effect. Please correct
me if I am wrong.
Click to expand...

Nothing to correct ... you've got it.
One thing I still don't understand. Why does "blank.pot" work fine when I
don't set my defaults in the MASTER view? For example, when I open PPT, I
see the system default i.e. title slide (click to add title, click to add
subtitle). I format the background to white marble texture in the NORMAL
view. Then I save the slide as "blank" with file type being design template.
Close PPT. When I reopen PPT, I see the white marble background.
Everything is fine even though I don't use the MASTER view.
Click to expand...

If PPT starts up and finds a custom blank template, it uses it to start the new blank
presentation that it always opens at startup. But templates can have slides in them and
if they do, PPT includes the slides in any new presentation it creates BASED on that
template. That's probably what you're seeing.
If I save the
template as any name other than "blank," I must work with the MASTER view for
the template to be effective. Would you please explain this to me, Steve.
Ideally, I should work with the MASTER view, regardless ..... Agree?
Click to expand...

It depends on what you're after. Other templates will behave the same way as above when
you base presentations on them. When you format an individual slide, your formatting
choices will only affect that slide (and any copies of it made when you start a new
presentation based on the template that contains the slide). When you format the MASTER
it affects any slides you add to the presentation later.

In general, you want to format the master(s).
 
Steve, thank you so much for a good lesson on blank.pot. Don't know what to
do without your guidance. I am beginning to understand and feel more
comfortable about blank.pot. It is "tricky" (as the article described it)
that it is an EXTERNAL set of defaults which is SEPARATE from the system's
built-in defaults.

You wrote: "If PPT starts up and finds a custom blank template, it uses it
to start the new blank presentation that it always opens at startup. But
templates can have slides in them and if they do, PPT includes the slides in
any new presentation it creates BASED on that template. That's probably what
you're seeing."

After experimenting some more, I think I can understand what you described.

Case (A) Previously, in NORMAL view, I formatted the title slide with white
marble background, keyed in "marble" as main title and saved it as blank.pot.
When I invoked PPT, I got the title "marble" and the marble background.

Case (B) Today, I went to MASTER view, and formatted the background to
white marble, keyed in "marble" as main title and saved it as blank.pot.
When I reopened PPT, I only saw the marble background and not the title
"marble" in NORMAL view.

So, this proves the fact that what I saw previously was a SLIDE of the
template. Thank you for telling me that templates can have slides in them
and will be included...... But I feel that this is only true when I name the
template "blank.pot." If under case (A), I saved the template as any name
other than "blank.pot," nothing described above happened. When I tried to
apply the new template, all I got was the system default. This is because I
didn't do it in master view. Also, the slide I created wasn't picked up.
But blank.pot didn't care if I was in the master view and it just picked up
the slide I created. I just look at blank.pot as a "reserved" name with
special built-ins and it behaves differently from any other templates that I
create. Please feel free to tell me if I have missed something.

The above experiment brings another question - why aren't changes made to
the title placeholder in master view part of the template. Since this is not
limited to blank.pot, I think I'll start a new thread.

Okay, one problem down. Still confused about a separte thread (6/17)
"Confused about format background ......" I don't understand why formatting
background to black and applying a downloaded template with a black
background and a vase of yellow flower gave me a plain slide of neon yellow.

Once again, thanks for eveything and I should give you a break now. Much
appreciated.

I always learn more when I experiment with the help of experts.

Epinn
 
You wrote: "If PPT starts up and finds a custom blank template, it uses it
to start the new blank presentation that it always opens at startup. But
templates can have slides in them and if they do, PPT includes the slides in
any new presentation it creates BASED on that template. That's probably what
you're seeing."

After experimenting some more, I think I can understand what you described.

Case (A) Previously, in NORMAL view, I formatted the title slide with white
marble background, keyed in "marble" as main title and saved it as blank.pot.
When I invoked PPT, I got the title "marble" and the marble background.

Case (B) Today, I went to MASTER view, and formatted the background to
white marble, keyed in "marble" as main title and saved it as blank.pot.
When I reopened PPT, I only saw the marble background and not the title
"marble" in NORMAL view.

So, this proves the fact that what I saw previously was a SLIDE of the
template. Thank you for telling me that templates can have slides in them
and will be included...... But I feel that this is only true when I name the
template "blank.pot." If under case (A), I saved the template as any name
other than "blank.pot," nothing described above happened. When I tried to
apply the new template, all I got was the system default.
Click to expand...

Ah, there's another difference.

When you create a new presentation based on a template, the new presentation includes any
slides that were in the template file.

When you APPLY a template to an existing presentation, you apply the template's formatting but
you don't get any of the contents (like slides, macros and such).

This is true of all templates, not just blank.pot
 
Steve,

You wrote:
"When you create a new presentation based on a template, the new
presentation includes any
slides that were in the template file.

When you APPLY a template to an existing presentation, you apply the
template's formatting but
you don't get any of the contents (like slides, macros and such).

This is true of all templates, not just blank.pot"

I heard you. But the scenario I described in my previous post was for a NEW
PRESENTATION even though I used the word "apply." I opened PPT, got the
system default i.e. title slide. Then I went to the design task pane and
scrolled to the very bottom and clicked browse. Then I clicked the new
template that I created. This was what I meant by "apply." The slide that
was in that template file was NOT displayed. Now, I am confused and I know I
probably miss something.

I can go on an on. If you want a break, I can understand. You have been
more than helpful. Of course, your comments are always welcome.
 
Continuation of previous reply.

Steve,

I retested and restested and I still came to the impression that only
slide(s) from blank.pot would be included in a blank (new) presentation. I
don't know what I have missed.

This is what I did.

Please note that I don't use master view for this experiment.

I open PPT, get the system default i.e. title slide. I type "This is a
slide." to the main title placeholder and I type "Yes, a slide." to the
subtitle placeholder. Then I save the file as "blank" with desgin template
being file type. This is blank.pot. I close PPT. I reopen PPT and I get my
slide with "This is a slide." and "Yes, a slide."

Now, I delete blank.pot and close PPT. I then open PPT and get the system
default i.e. title slide. I type "This is a slide." to the main title
placeholder and I type "Yes, a slide." to the subtitle placeholder - exactly
the same as above. But this time, I save the file as "testing" with design
template being file type. I close PPT. I reopen PPT, get the system default
and then I go to design task pane and scroll to the bottom. I click browse
and find "testing" in the templates folder. I select it and can see the
words "This is a slide......" on the preview area. Then I click "apply"
button, I see no text i.e. I don't get that slide. This is very different
from the effects of blank.pot. So, this is why I feel that slide(s) from a
template are only included for a new presentation if the template is
blank.pot. Do you get the same thing, when you do the above?

Epinn
 
I heard you. But the scenario I described in my previous post was for a NEW
PRESENTATION even though I used the word "apply." I opened PPT, got the
system default i.e. title slide. Then I went to the design task pane and
scrolled to the very bottom and clicked browse. Then I clicked the new
template that I created. This was what I meant by "apply." The slide that
was in that template file was NOT displayed. Now, I am confused and I know I
probably miss something.
Click to expand...

When you did that, PPT APPLIED the template you chose to the existing open
presentation. So "apply" was the correct word after all. ;-)

To include the slides in a template when starting a new presentation, choose File,
New then click "On My Computer" and choose your template.

A rather obtuse interface, you say?

No argument from me. ;-)
 
WOW!! I never used that route (i.e. on my computer...). In the past, I
created a slide and saved it as template. Then, I went the "apply" route and
couldn't understand why my template/slide didn't show. Then, I began to have
this impression that I MUST always do my desgin using the master view and
save it as a template.

Now, I am all clear and I even understand one of your previous posts much
better. Steve, I can't thank you enough. You are amazing; you even solve my
chronic puzzle. I have learned so much. I am glad that I am detailed and
always try to get to the bottom of things. It takes two to tango though.
Without your knowledge, patience and giving spirit, I will not have
discovered so much.

Will rate all your replies helpful after you have read this.

Thank you! Thank you!! THANK YOU!!!

CASE CLOSED!

Epinn
 
Glad I could help.

WOW!! I never used that route (i.e. on my computer...). In the past, I
created a slide and saved it as template. Then, I went the "apply" route and
couldn't understand why my template/slide didn't show. Then, I began to have
this impression that I MUST always do my desgin using the master view and
save it as a template.

Now, I am all clear and I even understand one of your previous posts much
better. Steve, I can't thank you enough. You are amazing; you even solve my
chronic puzzle. I have learned so much. I am glad that I am detailed and
always try to get to the bottom of things. It takes two to tango though.
Without your knowledge, patience and giving spirit, I will not have
discovered so much.

Will rate all your replies helpful after you have read this.

Thank you! Thank you!! THANK YOU!!!

CASE CLOSED!

Epinn
Click to expand...
 
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