Problem: Reassociating audio/video files when migrating to PPT 2003 from XP

[steven_chambers]

In PPT XP, if an audio or video file weren't properly linked (ex., i
the source file were moved), double clicking on the sound icon or vide
clip prompted a dialog box that let you browse to the correct file.

In PPT 2003, double clicking just creates a prompt that says, 'file no
found...may have been moved'. The problem:

I use a lot of animations, so reinserting audio and video means I los
all the animations associated with the clips (i.e., it's sequence, ho
it transitions in or out, etc.

I'm wondering why the developers of PPT 2003 changed this (ver
valuable) time-saver that lets you browse and reattach an audio/vide
file in a presentation that's been moved from one PC to another, and i
this case, from one PC running PPT XP, to another running PPT 2003.

Is it possible to reassociate the audio/video files in PPT 2003 the wa
you can in PPT XP? Or do I have to reattach everything, and add bac
in all the animations just to get the same presentation to run in PP
2003 as it had in PPT XP

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Posted from news://msnews.microsoft.com not ExcelTips

Who knows why the designers leave out useful features like this?
Not for us to know, merely for us to avoid the problem if possible.

And it IS possible, for the most part. See this:

LINKS BREAK when I move presentation
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00155.htm

 

[Echo S]

Posted from news://msnews.microsoft.com not ExcelTips

In addition to Steve's suggestion, try using the new Package for CD
feature.

Package to a folder on your harddrive. That should resolve any issue
with linked stuff.

 

[John Langhans [MSFT]]

Hello Steven,

Perhaps it would be better if PowerPoint provided actual link/content
management capabilities instead of responding in different ways (different
versions) when links get broken? (hint)

The fallback option in PowerPoint 2003 is to look in the same folder as the
presentation for multmedia and linked OLE files if they cannot be found at
the expected location (broken links), so just move/copy the multimedia
files from there original location to the same folder as the presentation.

Of course, you can prevent this from occuring in the future by moving your
presentation using the Package for CD command in PowerPoint (before
breaking any links). This feature has Save to Folder option that can copy a
presentation and all it's supporting (linked) files to a new folder
(assuming none of the links are currently broken). The resulting folder can
be moved around (even to other computers) without breaking any links.

If you (or anyone else reading this message) think that PowerPoint should
provide more robust link management features <currently link management is
only available for OLE objects> (without have to resort to VBA or 3rd party
add-ins), don't forget to send your feedback to Microsoft at:

http://register.microsoft.com/mswish/suggestion.asp

As with all product suggestions, it's important that you not just state
your wish but also why it is important to you that your product suggestion
be implemented by Microsoft. 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.

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

 

[John O]

Perhaps it would be better if PowerPoint provided actual link/content

management capabilities instead of responding in different ways (different
versions) when links get broken? (hint)

don't forget to send your feedback to Microsoft

BTDT, thanks for the hint.

-John O