Set NotesMaster width?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Somehow I have two PowerPoint files (which I'm pretty sure originated from
the same place) that are different widths. That is, when I open them side by
side in NotesMaster view, the ruler at the top of PPT 1 goes from the zero
point in the middle to about 3.75 on either side and the ruler at the top of
PPT 2 goes from the zero point in the middle to about 4.0 on either side.

I wrote a script to show me the NotesMaster width (PPT 1 width = 576 and
PPT2 width = 540) but when I try to set the width property I get an error. I
see (in the VBA Help) that the Master Width property is Read Only, but I'm
wondering if there is any way to set it or change it. For that matter, how
did it get set in the first place -- and why didn't it get set the same in
both PPT files?

Is there some page setup property that I'm missing? How might I get both of
these files' Notes Masters to be the same size? (I'm trying to do some
formatting programmatically but when I put a shape in the center of the page
in one file, then in the other file it is off center.)
 
It might just be that the page setup is different. Manually, you'd go to
File|Page Setup to see what page size has been used.
 
No, the Page Setup properties only define the dimensions of the slide, not
the slide's Notes Page. Also I checked and those dimensions are the same in
the two files.

Echo S said:
It might just be that the page setup is different. Manually, you'd go to
File|Page Setup to see what page size has been used.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com


caten said:
Somehow I have two PowerPoint files (which I'm pretty sure originated from
the same place) that are different widths. That is, when I open them side
by
side in NotesMaster view, the ruler at the top of PPT 1 goes from the zero
point in the middle to about 3.75 on either side and the ruler at the top
of
PPT 2 goes from the zero point in the middle to about 4.0 on either side.

I wrote a script to show me the NotesMaster width (PPT 1 width = 576 and
PPT2 width = 540) but when I try to set the width property I get an error.
I
see (in the VBA Help) that the Master Width property is Read Only, but I'm
wondering if there is any way to set it or change it. For that matter,
how
did it get set in the first place -- and why didn't it get set the same in
both PPT files?

Is there some page setup property that I'm missing? How might I get both
of
these files' Notes Masters to be the same size? (I'm trying to do some
formatting programmatically but when I put a shape in the center of the
page
in one file, then in the other file it is off center.)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
No, the Page Setup properties only define the dimensions of the slide, not
the slide's Notes Page. Also I checked and those dimensions are the same in
the two files.
Click to expand...

We ran into this a time or two before here. Much headscratching. I think the
final decision was that the presentation included slides that originated in both
pre-2002 and 2002 and up versions of PPT and that the presentation may have
wandered through some land where they use centimeters.

Until 2002, PowerPoint incorrectly defined cm at 2.4 to the inch. In 2002 that
got changed to 2.54, something like the more usual non-MS standard.

Any chance that some of the slides have been through different versions?
Echo S said:
It might just be that the page setup is different. Manually, you'd go to
File|Page Setup to see what page size has been used.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com


caten said:
Somehow I have two PowerPoint files (which I'm pretty sure originated from
the same place) that are different widths. That is, when I open them side
by
side in NotesMaster view, the ruler at the top of PPT 1 goes from the zero
point in the middle to about 3.75 on either side and the ruler at the top
of
PPT 2 goes from the zero point in the middle to about 4.0 on either side.

I wrote a script to show me the NotesMaster width (PPT 1 width = 576 and
PPT2 width = 540) but when I try to set the width property I get an error.
I
see (in the VBA Help) that the Master Width property is Read Only, but I'm
wondering if there is any way to set it or change it. For that matter,
how
did it get set in the first place -- and why didn't it get set the same in
both PPT files?

Is there some page setup property that I'm missing? How might I get both
of
these files' Notes Masters to be the same size? (I'm trying to do some
formatting programmatically but when I put a shape in the center of the
page
in one file, then in the other file it is off center.)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Yeah, I had read about that here:
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00072.htm

But it seemed to apply only to the size of objects displayed on the slide,
not the entire page, which I'd expected to remain constant in relation to a
standard 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper.

To answer your question, though, I had tried not to open any of the files
I'm working with in versions of PowerPoint later than 2000 (for other
reasons), but I suppose it's possible that at some time I opened a PPT file
from Windows Explorer and Windows XP assumed (erroneously) that I wanted to
open with PowerPoint 2003, not PowerPoint 2000. (After which I would have
returned to open it in PowerPoint 2000, resulting in a potential conversion
twice, once in each direction?)

In any case, is there any remedy?

The thing that really baffles me is that if I open the 2 files in PowerPoint
2000, their notes page widths are different. Likewise, if I open the 2 files
in PowerPoint 2003, their notes page widths are different. At what point is
the width set and is it truly permanent? Is there any way to "trick"
PowerPoint into reinterpreting the width in one version of PowerPoint or
another?

Alternatively, if I want to make sure that the slide is centered on the page
regardless of the page width, can I get the slide width, get the page width
(minus the margins), find the difference, divide it by two and then align the
slide at that position? If so, what unit of measure(s) do I need to use?

Any other ideas?


Steve Rindsberg said:
No, the Page Setup properties only define the dimensions of the slide, not
the slide's Notes Page. Also I checked and those dimensions are the same in
the two files.
Click to expand...

We ran into this a time or two before here. Much headscratching. I think the
final decision was that the presentation included slides that originated in both
pre-2002 and 2002 and up versions of PPT and that the presentation may have
wandered through some land where they use centimeters.

Until 2002, PowerPoint incorrectly defined cm at 2.4 to the inch. In 2002 that
got changed to 2.54, something like the more usual non-MS standard.

Any chance that some of the slides have been through different versions?
Echo S said:
It might just be that the page setup is different. Manually, you'd go to
File|Page Setup to see what page size has been used.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com


Somehow I have two PowerPoint files (which I'm pretty sure originated from
the same place) that are different widths. That is, when I open them side
by
side in NotesMaster view, the ruler at the top of PPT 1 goes from the zero
point in the middle to about 3.75 on either side and the ruler at the top
of
PPT 2 goes from the zero point in the middle to about 4.0 on either side.

I wrote a script to show me the NotesMaster width (PPT 1 width = 576 and
PPT2 width = 540) but when I try to set the width property I get an error.
I
see (in the VBA Help) that the Master Width property is Read Only, but I'm
wondering if there is any way to set it or change it. For that matter,
how
did it get set in the first place -- and why didn't it get set the same in
both PPT files?

Is there some page setup property that I'm missing? How might I get both
of
these files' Notes Masters to be the same size? (I'm trying to do some
formatting programmatically but when I put a shape in the center of the
page
in one file, then in the other file it is off center.)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Click to expand...
 
I'd like to have a look at these files, or better, versions that you've stripped all
the content out but left the slides themselves so we don't have to worry about who
sees what.

I have a few things I can try but would need example files to play with.

If I come up with a fix, I'll of course let you know and will probably add it to the
FAQ.

If that's ok, email the files to steve at-sign pptools dot com

In the body of the email, remind me what this is all about ... better yet, just copy
and paste this whole message into it. That'd be perfect.

Yeah, I had read about that here:
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00072.htm

But it seemed to apply only to the size of objects displayed on the slide,
not the entire page, which I'd expected to remain constant in relation to a
standard 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper.

To answer your question, though, I had tried not to open any of the files
I'm working with in versions of PowerPoint later than 2000 (for other
reasons), but I suppose it's possible that at some time I opened a PPT file
from Windows Explorer and Windows XP assumed (erroneously) that I wanted to
open with PowerPoint 2003, not PowerPoint 2000. (After which I would have
returned to open it in PowerPoint 2000, resulting in a potential conversion
twice, once in each direction?)

In any case, is there any remedy?

The thing that really baffles me is that if I open the 2 files in PowerPoint
2000, their notes page widths are different. Likewise, if I open the 2 files
in PowerPoint 2003, their notes page widths are different. At what point is
the width set and is it truly permanent? Is there any way to "trick"
PowerPoint into reinterpreting the width in one version of PowerPoint or
another?

Alternatively, if I want to make sure that the slide is centered on the page
regardless of the page width, can I get the slide width, get the page width
(minus the margins), find the difference, divide it by two and then align the
slide at that position? If so, what unit of measure(s) do I need to use?

Any other ideas?

Steve Rindsberg said:
No, the Page Setup properties only define the dimensions of the slide, not
the slide's Notes Page. Also I checked and those dimensions are the same in
the two files.
Click to expand...

We ran into this a time or two before here. Much headscratching. I think the
final decision was that the presentation included slides that originated in both
pre-2002 and 2002 and up versions of PPT and that the presentation may have
wandered through some land where they use centimeters.

Until 2002, PowerPoint incorrectly defined cm at 2.4 to the inch. In 2002 that
got changed to 2.54, something like the more usual non-MS standard.

Any chance that some of the slides have been through different versions?
:

It might just be that the page setup is different. Manually, you'd go to
File|Page Setup to see what page size has been used.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com


Somehow I have two PowerPoint files (which I'm pretty sure originated from
the same place) that are different widths. That is, when I open them side
by
side in NotesMaster view, the ruler at the top of PPT 1 goes from the zero
point in the middle to about 3.75 on either side and the ruler at the top
of
PPT 2 goes from the zero point in the middle to about 4.0 on either side.

I wrote a script to show me the NotesMaster width (PPT 1 width = 576 and
PPT2 width = 540) but when I try to set the width property I get an error.
I
see (in the VBA Help) that the Master Width property is Read Only, but I'm
wondering if there is any way to set it or change it. For that matter,
how
did it get set in the first place -- and why didn't it get set the same in
both PPT files?

Is there some page setup property that I'm missing? How might I get both
of
these files' Notes Masters to be the same size? (I'm trying to do some
formatting programmatically but when I put a shape in the center of the
page
in one file, then in the other file it is off center.)
Click to expand...

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I am having the same issue... was there ever any resolution or
workaround? This is really driving me batty.

Sue

Steve said:
I'd like to have a look at these files, or better, versions that you've stripped all
the content out but left the slides themselves so we don't have to worry about who
sees what.

I have a few things I can try but would need example files to play with.

If I come up with a fix, I'll of course let you know and will probably add it to the
FAQ.

If that's ok, email the files to steve at-sign pptools dot com

In the body of the email, remind me what this is all about ... better yet, just copy
and paste this whole message into it. That'd be perfect.

Yeah, I had read about that here:
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00072.htm

But it seemed to apply only to the size of objects displayed on the slide,
not the entire page, which I'd expected to remain constant in relation to a
standard 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper.

To answer your question, though, I had tried not to open any of the files
I'm working with in versions of PowerPoint later than 2000 (for other
reasons), but I suppose it's possible that at some time I opened a PPT file
from Windows Explorer and Windows XP assumed (erroneously) that I wanted to
open with PowerPoint 2003, not PowerPoint 2000. (After which I would have
returned to open it in PowerPoint 2000, resulting in a potential conversion
twice, once in each direction?)

In any case, is there any remedy?

The thing that really baffles me is that if I open the 2 files in PowerPoint
2000, their notes page widths are different. Likewise, if I open the 2 files
in PowerPoint 2003, their notes page widths are different. At what point is
the width set and is it truly permanent? Is there any way to "trick"
PowerPoint into reinterpreting the width in one version of PowerPoint or
another?

Alternatively, if I want to make sure that the slide is centered on the page
regardless of the page width, can I get the slide width, get the page width
(minus the margins), find the difference, divide it by two and then align the
slide at that position? If so, what unit of measure(s) do I need to use?

Any other ideas?

Steve Rindsberg said:
No, the Page Setup properties only define the dimensions of the slide, not
the slide's Notes Page. Also I checked and those dimensions are the same in
the two files.

We ran into this a time or two before here. Much headscratching. I think the
final decision was that the presentation included slides that originated in both
pre-2002 and 2002 and up versions of PPT and that the presentation may have
wandered through some land where they use centimeters.

Until 2002, PowerPoint incorrectly defined cm at 2.4 to the inch. In 2002 that
got changed to 2.54, something like the more usual non-MS standard.

Any chance that some of the slides have been through different versions?


:

It might just be that the page setup is different. Manually, you'd go to
File|Page Setup to see what page size has been used.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com


Somehow I have two PowerPoint files (which I'm pretty sure originated from
the same place) that are different widths. That is, when I open them side
by
side in NotesMaster view, the ruler at the top of PPT 1 goes from the zero
point in the middle to about 3.75 on either side and the ruler at the top
of
PPT 2 goes from the zero point in the middle to about 4.0 on either side.

I wrote a script to show me the NotesMaster width (PPT 1 width = 576 and
PPT2 width = 540) but when I try to set the width property I get an error.
I
see (in the VBA Help) that the Master Width property is Read Only, but I'm
wondering if there is any way to set it or change it. For that matter,
how
did it get set in the first place -- and why didn't it get set the same in
both PPT files?

Is there some page setup property that I'm missing? How might I get both
of
these files' Notes Masters to be the same size? (I'm trying to do some
formatting programmatically but when I put a shape in the center of the
page
in one file, then in the other file it is off center.)





-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Click to expand...
 
I am having the same issue... was there ever any resolution or
workaround? This is really driving me batty.
Click to expand...

Time to turn the bats loose:

Notes pages are odd-sized
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00811.htm

Sue

Steve said:
I'd like to have a look at these files, or better, versions that you've stripped all
the content out but left the slides themselves so we don't have to worry about who
sees what.

I have a few things I can try but would need example files to play with.

If I come up with a fix, I'll of course let you know and will probably add it to the
FAQ.

If that's ok, email the files to steve at-sign pptools dot com

In the body of the email, remind me what this is all about ... better yet, just copy
and paste this whole message into it. That'd be perfect.

Yeah, I had read about that here:
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00072.htm

But it seemed to apply only to the size of objects displayed on the slide,
not the entire page, which I'd expected to remain constant in relation to a
standard 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper.

To answer your question, though, I had tried not to open any of the files
I'm working with in versions of PowerPoint later than 2000 (for other
reasons), but I suppose it's possible that at some time I opened a PPT file
from Windows Explorer and Windows XP assumed (erroneously) that I wanted to
open with PowerPoint 2003, not PowerPoint 2000. (After which I would have
returned to open it in PowerPoint 2000, resulting in a potential conversion
twice, once in each direction?)

In any case, is there any remedy?

The thing that really baffles me is that if I open the 2 files in PowerPoint
2000, their notes page widths are different. Likewise, if I open the 2 files
in PowerPoint 2003, their notes page widths are different. At what point is
the width set and is it truly permanent? Is there any way to "trick"
PowerPoint into reinterpreting the width in one version of PowerPoint or
another?

Alternatively, if I want to make sure that the slide is centered on the page
regardless of the page width, can I get the slide width, get the page width
(minus the margins), find the difference, divide it by two and then align the
slide at that position? If so, what unit of measure(s) do I need to use?

Any other ideas?

:

No, the Page Setup properties only define the dimensions of the slide, not
the slide's Notes Page. Also I checked and those dimensions are the same in
the two files.

We ran into this a time or two before here. Much headscratching. I think the
final decision was that the presentation included slides that originated in both
pre-2002 and 2002 and up versions of PPT and that the presentation may have
wandered through some land where they use centimeters.

Until 2002, PowerPoint incorrectly defined cm at 2.4 to the inch. In 2002 that
got changed to 2.54, something like the more usual non-MS standard.

Any chance that some of the slides have been through different versions?


:

It might just be that the page setup is different. Manually, you'd go to
File|Page Setup to see what page size has been used.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com


Somehow I have two PowerPoint files (which I'm pretty sure originated from
the same place) that are different widths. That is, when I open them side
by
side in NotesMaster view, the ruler at the top of PPT 1 goes from the zero
point in the middle to about 3.75 on either side and the ruler at the top
of
PPT 2 goes from the zero point in the middle to about 4.0 on either side.

I wrote a script to show me the NotesMaster width (PPT 1 width = 576 and
PPT2 width = 540) but when I try to set the width property I get an error.
I
see (in the VBA Help) that the Master Width property is Read Only, but I'm
wondering if there is any way to set it or change it. For that matter,
how
did it get set in the first place -- and why didn't it get set the same in
both PPT files?

Is there some page setup property that I'm missing? How might I get both
of
these files' Notes Masters to be the same size? (I'm trying to do some
formatting programmatically but when I put a shape in the center of the
page
in one file, then in the other file it is off center.)





-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Click to expand...

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I can't believe there isn't a simple "changes notes page size" option. I
haven't tried your fix yet, but thanks for going through the trouble.
 
Hi Steve,

Can you tell me how to get to Script Editor in powerpoint 2007 please?
Click to expand...

Ooops. Answered this before but I left out something:

There's no script editor any longer, but you can probably save as web
page, edit the resulting HTML/XML files, then open the web page back into
PPT and get more or less the same results.

(Note that this is possible in 2003 but I haven't yet tried it in 2007.
MS no longer attempts "full fidelity round-tripping" to HTML and back in
2007, so some features may get lost when you do this.
 
Back
Top