You're not being a pain, it's just that 2007 introduces themes as well as
templates, so there may be additional things to consider.
As far as templates (POT/POTX) vs presentation files (PPT/PPTX), really the
biggest advantage is the one you described -- double-clicking a template
file opens a presentation based on that template. This, as Steve mentioned,
prevents users from opening the template file inadvertently and overwriting
stuff in it, messing up its various settings, etc.
But as far as other functionality goes, there really isn't any difference.
In fact, you can use a PPT or PPTX file as a template. If you go to apply a
template or design, click to browse to templates, and choose a PPT or PPTX
file instead of a POT/POTX file, the template that was applied to the
PPT/PPTX gets applied to your new file as well. I guess the biggest issue
there is user education -- users don't always realize they can do that.
So that goes for 2003 and 2007. No differences as far as template vs file
functionality.
Now, in 2007, you also have themes, which are THMX files. Your 2007
templates and files are actually based on themes. For your case, it doesn't
really matter, I think -- which is partly why I was asking which version
you're using. Anyway, if you want to read about themes, you can do so here:
http://www.elijournals.com/premier/showArticle.asp?aid=26655
As for going from 2007 to 2003, I don't recommend this. If you need a 2003
template, create it in 2003. If you need a 2007 template, create it in 2007.
I don't understand why people insist upon creating 2003 templates with 2007!
Just backsaving as PPT does NOT make things work correctly in 2003! Color
schemes don't port well between 2003 and 2007. 2007 has more colors
available, and they don't map properly back and forth. This wreaks havoc on
all kinds of things.
Additionally, 2007 uses a master slide with associated slide layouts
paradigm. 2003 uses a slide master + title master paradigm. These do not
mesh well. When you save a 2007 file as a 2003 file, you end up with a slide
master for each of those individual slide layouts that you had in 2007. And
the title slide master is either nonexistent or screwed up, one of the two.
Sorry to sound so negative, and I'm not trying to yell at you, I swear.
It's good you're asking these questions, actually, so you'll have better
information to make your decisions as you create templates or files for your
users.
The only real suggestion I have is that, if you create the template in 2003
and open it in 2007, at least your slide master + layouts won't be quite as
messed up as going the other way. But the color scheme will be busted. What
I'd do is create a separate color scheme file and put it on the 2007
machines. Then I'd teach the 2007 users to go to the Design tab and select
that color scheme so they have the appropriate colors to work from.
To create a color scheme in 2007, go to the Design tab, click Colors and
choose Create New Theme Colors. Select the colors you want, name the theme,
and OK your way out of there. Then go find the <colorschemename>.XML file in
one of these folders:
(in Windows Vista and Windows 7)
C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Document Themes\Theme
Colors
(in Windows XP) C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Application
Data\Microsoft\Templates\Document Themes\Theme Colors
Paste that XML file in the same folder on the 2007 users machines.
--
Echo [MS PPT MVP]
http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007?
http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances
http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit
http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx
TJ said:
I, and the majority of company users are on 2007, but a few 2003 users
are
still holding out. Could you answer for both versions? To be clear,
sharing
a) 2007 template with 2007 users and b) sharing a backsaved template out
of
2007 with 2003 users.
Sorry to be a pain.
TJ
Echo S said:
Which version of PPT are you using?
--
Echo [MS PPT MVP]
http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007?
http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances
http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit
http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx
TJ said:
What are the benefits of sharing a template file (vs. a presentation
file)? I
know it creates a fresh new Presentation1 doc when opened, but are
there
other items that "go with" the template file that you don't normally
get?
TJ
.
