How to determine the PP version used?

  • Thread starter Thread starter wyatt
  • Start date Start date
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wyatt

Hello group,

Would anyone happen to know how I could precisely determine the version
of PowerPoint used to create a given presentation?

The reason being is I am modifying several presentations that do look
differently in 2000/2002. I was told the files were created in 2000 but
they do look far better in 2002.
I have tried to get the version info from opening them in UltraEdit (no
go) and Quick View Plus ("PowerPoint 97 - 2003 file").

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.
 
Would anyone happen to know how I could precisely determine the version
of PowerPoint used to create a given presentation?
Click to expand...

Not possible, at least not from embedded information.

It might be possible to intuit some bits; for example, if you were to open it
in PowerPoint 2002/2003 and find multiple masters, it's a sure thing that they
were originally created in 2002 or higher. Likewise with certain animation
features (motion paths, for example).

The fact that these features aren't there doesn't necessarily mean that the
presentation was created in an older version, of course.
 
Thanks for the fast reply, Steve, it helps big time!

Steve said:
Not possible, at least not from embedded information.

It might be possible to intuit some bits; for example, if you were to open it
in PowerPoint 2002/2003 and find multiple masters, it's a sure thing that they
were originally created in 2002 or higher. Likewise with certain animation
features (motion paths, for example).
Click to expand...
Ok, they do have two masters. I did assume they were created using 2002
or higher due to the issues with transparencies when opened in 2000.

Cheers,
Ruediger
 
Ok, they do have two masters. I did assume they were created using 2002
or higher due to the issues with transparencies when opened in 2000.
Click to expand...

Just to be certain, you do know that each Master can have both a slide and a title
master? In other words, if it's just those two, then it might still be PPT2000 or
earlier.
 
Am Sat, 01 May 2004 23:41:33 -0400 schrieb Steve Rindsberg:

It's me (wyatt) again writing from another machine.
Just to be certain, you do know that each Master can have both a slide
and a title master? In other words, if it's just those two, then it
might still be PPT2000 or earlier.
Click to expand...
Possibly, but there are also animations that can only be seen when viewed
with 2002, e.g. bouncing text. Besides, the transparencies only look
decent in 2002 wile 2000 greatly reduces the number of colours.
As these files were created by a distributed team I believe at least one
among them used 2002 or newer.
 
Hi again,
Possibly, but there are also animations that can only be seen when viewed
with 2002, e.g. bouncing text.
Click to expand...

That makes it certain, then. It's 2002 or 2003 in origin.
Besides, the transparencies only look
decent in 2002 wile 2000 greatly reduces the number of colours.
Click to expand...

2002 introduced gradient transparency. Another sure thing.

I'd say you have a sure thing here.
 
[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,

PowerPoint doesn't provide the functionality that you are looking for
(either through UI or programmatically, to determine the version(s) or even
last version of PowerPoint that was used to edit a given presentation).

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
 
That makes it certain, then. It's 2002 or 2003 in origin.
2002 introduced gradient transparency. Another sure thing.
I'd say you have a sure thing here.
Click to expand...
I would think so, too. They are happy now with what I delivered, and so am
I ;)

Thanks a million again for your prompt help!
 
I would think so, too. They are happy now with what I delivered, and so am
I ;)

Thanks a million again for your prompt help!
Click to expand...

Glad to hear it all worked out well for you. Thanks for letting us know.

--
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
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