I have conducted a few experiments based on the revelation that Chirag
helped me have: The two vertical layouts at the end of the list of generic
layouts are only available for use if Asian language support is activated.
1. First off, am I the only one who sees value in these vertical layouts,
irrespective of any international use? Most people who read printed material
prefer portrait-shaped pages, and these layouts are a great way to
immediately prep a standard text-based slide deck for printing.
2. The Asian language does not have to be chosen as the primary language. It
just needs to be available. This once again begs the question of what
relationship is being assumed between these layouts and international usage.
3. I want to a machine that does not have Asian support activated and
verified that the two vertical layouts were unavailable for use. I then
proceeded to create a new blank layout. I went to the vertical layout and
copied the sideways elements to the Clipboard, switched back to my new
layout, and pasted them. At this point, my new layout looked identical to
one of the forbidden layouts. I then left Slide Master view and went
promptly to the Layout drop-down, whereupon my own vertical layout showed up
as available and ready for business. I applied it to a slide, filled it with
content, and printed it. Everything was perfect.
Interesting workaround. I'd love to hear from Microsoft or anyone with some
mileage with these vertical layouts on the reasoning behind this. I can't
think of any...
Rick A.
