2000 deletes muliple masters??

[Lil Work]

I know version 2000 didn't have multiple masters, and I also know it will
play them if they exist from being created in 2002. What I didn't know is
that it would destroy them given the right condition. I found out the hard
way that multiple masters in a file used on version 2000 removes any unused
masters as soon as the user deletes a slide.

I had made a file with about 8 multiple masters, and I built several slides
using 2 of the 8 masters.
I went to a meeting with a co-worker and we used her laptop (version 2000)
since the show had no 2002 animations and 2000 will play multiple masters.
Just before the meeting, she deleted a slide and saved. At the last minute
our boss asked us to make a slide using one of the other multiple masters.
Knowing that can't be done on version 2000, I borrowed a laptop with 2002
for a quick edit. To my horror, I saw that all the other masters were wiped
out by version 2000. Great.

Another co-worker sent his file to a user with version 2000 for editing and
when he got it back, he found his multiple masters also were eliminated by
version 2000.

I'm sure there's no workarounds except copy the masters back in from another
file, but when you have reps in the field who are being paid for skills
other than authoring slide show software, it's frustrating to a make them
understand.

So, I'd just like to know if we are seeing this correctly? Has anyone else
ran into it or can someone verify this? I couldn't find anything archived
about it. -TIA

 

[Shyam Pillai]

Yes, this quite accurate. I've experienced this.

 

[Sonia]

Versions of PowerPoint are not "downward" compatible. PowerPoint 2000 has the
limited multiple master capability that you've noted because Microsoft was
getting ready for multiple masters as far back as PowerPoint 97. While both
version will open and show a presentation that uses them, you cannot use any
editing function and expect the multiple masters to be retained when the file is
re-saved.

If you need to regularly prepare presentations that might be edited and played
in older versions of PowerPoint, it is best to first go to Tools > Options >
Edit and disable the three items listed at the bottom of the dialog window,
including Multiple Masters. This way users with older versions of PowerPoint
are less likely to alter your presentation in a way you don't want.
--

Sonia Coleman
Microsoft PowerPoint MVP Team
Autorun Software, Templates and Tutorials
http://www.soniacoleman.com

 

[Lil Work]

Consider adding hidden slides, one that uses each master, perhaps. And
put a
great big honking "DO NOT DELETE THIS SLIDE OR YOU'LL DESTROY THE
PRESENTATION"
on each hidden slides.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. I feel better just knowing I'm not
alone on this issue.

Because these multiple masters are important and because these files pass
from 2000 users to 2002+ users, I may have to write a routine that, in
version 2002, inventories the masters and, if any are missing it rebuilds
them. I can't wait to see what challenges I run into creating that puppy.

 

[Lil Work]

What happens if you simply reapply the master in PPT 2002 or higher?
I don't recall whether a master that's "preserved" will be saved in a
template
file or not ... it should be I'd think.

I don't think I can do that, because, at that point, the other masters would
not exist in the file anymore. I might get it back and only one master
remains intact, with masters 2-15 gone. At that point, I try to apply
design(5) and get the obvious error.

I can easily copy the original collection of masters back into the file from
a good file. But I can't see my reps in the field doing that. I get a
chuckle just imagining it. <lmao> Oh, I needed that laugh.

Early in the year, I tried having "master example" slides in the file with
blurbs on them such as you suggested, "DO NOT DELETE. This slide is hidden
and will not impede your presentation, however do NOT delete this slide." It
produced a lot of calls that started with, "Lil, uh, sorry, but I did
exactly what it said not to do... so, uh, now, uh, ..." <sigh>

What would be awesome is if I could make a slide "VBA hidden" like we make
"VBA hidden" worksheets in Excel. The user cannot see them and they can't
unhide them - short of using VBA. With that, I could "preserve" masters even
in 2000. That'd be great! How sweet! <"Lil, wake up, honey, you're having a
dream again."> Oh, sorry, I'm back now.

 

[Lil Work]

I'd give it a try just the same AFTER you've re-saved the template with
each
Master set to PRESERVE. In theory ... yeah, yeah, I know about theories
and
"best laid plans" and assuming and all that stuff <g> ... but in theory,
that
should do it.

It errors out. 5 is not in the range of 1. In other words, once gone, it has
no memory of ever having more than one master.

And the head office hasn't given you Red Queen powers? OFF WITH HIS
HEAD!!
How do they expect you to do your job properly w/o that?

And you know, they should because I look a lot like her.

Nice nap? ;-)

Oh, yes. Anytime I envision PowerPoint having VBA equal to Excel, it's a
nice nap. ;-)

 

[Echo S]

And you know, they should because I look a lot like her.

LOL!

 

[Lil Work]

Have you set the master to PRESERVE before saving it and before applying
it to
a presentation. Sure, once it's gone it's gone, but if you can keep it
from
going, it'd be a different story.

Yes, I always have set them as preserve in all my templates.
I believe a master not set as PRESERVE is... JELLY.

IOW, save the template with masters set to preserve
Apply the template to the presentation and ensure that that preserves
masters
in the presentation.
Distribute the presentation.
Re apply the master to presentations that come back from 2000 users.
Reapply the master to slides that need it or new slide.

Short of copying the original masters back in from another file, no, it
doesn't work. The design task pane is missing the masters to reapply, and
the master view is also missing them. Even VBA .design() errors out.