[CRITICAL UPDATE - Anyone using Office 2003 should install the critical
update as soon as possible. From PowerPoint, choose "Help -> Check for
Updates".]
[TOP ISSUE - Are you having difficulty opening presentations in PPT 2003
that you just created in PPT 2003? -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=329820]
Hello,
The behavior is slightly different depending on the type of shape selected
when the command is chosen and the type of tool used to draw objects after
the defaults have been changed.
For example, for single Arrow lines, you can specify the defaults for the
arrowhead, line color, thickness, style, but the basic "nature" of the
tools is that, regardless of whether it's the beginning or ending arrowhead
that was defined as the "default", the arrowhead will ALWAYS be applied at
the end of the line when a new arrowhead.
Similarly, if you change the default fill color of shapes using the same
procedure it will have no effect on new text objects since, even though
they are shapes, the "nature" of text boxes is that they are not filled so
they are always created that way (regardless of what the defaults are for
object fill color).
You're simply running into where one of the built-in "natural" behavior for
new object creation trumps the default formatting.
A workaround might be to use the Double Arrow line tool since the "natural"
behavior for this tool is to respect both the default begin and end styles.
So, for example, you could specify a beginning style with the arrowhead
style that you want at one of the larger begin sizes and an end style with
the Diamond Arrow style (something OTHER than the "No Arrow" style) with
end size of Arrow R size 1 and set that as your default for new shapes and
use the Double Arrow tool to draw your arrows.
As before, if you (or anyone else reading this message) think that it's
important that PowerPoint provide this kind of functionality, don't forget
to send your feedback (in YOUR OWN WORDS, please) to Microsoft at:
http://register.microsoft.com/mswish/suggestion.asp
It's VERY important that, for EACH wish, you describe in detail, WHY it is
important TO YOU that your product suggestion be implemented. A good wish
submssion includes WHAT scenario, work-flow, or end-result is blocked by
not having a specific feature, HOW MUCH time and effort ($$$) is spent
working around a specific limitation of the current product, etc. Remember
that Microsoft receives THOUSANDS of product suggestions every day and we
read each one but, in any given product development cycle, there are ONLY
sufficient resources to address the ones that are MOST IMPORTANT to our
customers so take the extra time to state your case as CLEARLY and
COMPLETELY as possible so that we can FEEL YOUR PAIN.
IMPORTANT: Each submission should be a single suggestion (not a list of
suggestions).
John Langhans
Microsoft Corporation
Supportability Program Manager
Microsoft Office PowerPoint for Windows
Microsoft Office Picture Manager for Windows
For FAQ's, highlights and top issues, visit the Microsoft PowerPoint
support center at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=ppt
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbhowto
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Use of any included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm