Avoiding password requests when hyperlinking to a protected ppt

[Dave Ag]

Hi,

I was hoping I could request some advice.

I'm putting together a presentation set which has includes two presentations:

1. a editable presentation that includes some link buttons in the master
slide template - this presentation can be edited and renamed by the guys who
present it, but let's call it "custom.ppt" for the moment.
2. a read-only presentation (locked by means of a modification password)
that can't be edited by the guys who are presenting - this file is always
called "main.ppt".

The idea is that each time the team do a presentation, they can create a
specific presentation using the custom.ppt template, but while in slideshow
mode, they can link into content from main.ppt by using the link buttons on
the slide master of custom.ppt.

This has to work in both PowerPoint 2003 and PowerPoint 2003 Viewer.

Am pretty much there, but one thing's stumping me - when linking into
main.ppt from custom.ppt using PowerPoint 2003, it always prompts for the
modification password for main.ppt. (This isn't a problem in PowerPoint 2003
Viewer.)

Is there a way around this? I guess the possible use of macros is limited
due to the need for the same file to be compatibile with PowerPoint 2003
Viewer.

All advice would be much appreciated! I'm afraid taking the modification
password off wouldn't be appropriate, unless there's another way to
protecting the content of main.ppt?

Please note that the password on main.ppt is a password to modify, not a
password to open.

Many thanks.

Best regards,
Dave

 

[John Wilson]

Sorry but AFAIK the password dialogue will always pop up if an attempt is
made to open the file in a program that can modify it. The viewer cannot
modify powerpoint files - hence no password pop up.

Depending on the content of the "protected" file you may be able to save
each slide as a png file and create a presentation that consists only of
images. These are not easy to modify and wont need a password!

Another option is to save the main show (no password) as a .pps file and use
insert > object > from file to embed it within a second blank presentation.
In custom animation select object actions > show.

This isnt foolproof but will defeat most users especially if you add a blank
black slide with a timed slide transition of 0 secs at the start of your main
presentation.

I'm not about to give details here but you may also like to know that the
modify password is not very robust and is easily broken.
--

 

[Echo S]

I haven't tried it, but in addition to John's suggestions, if you change the
file (the main.ppt) to main.PPS (with a modify password), do you still get
prompted for the password?

 

[John Wilson]

You do Echo!

_____________________________
John Wilson
Microsoft Certified Office Specialist

I haven't tried it, but in addition to John's suggestions, if you change the
file (the main.ppt) to main.PPS (with a modify password), do you still get
prompted for the password?

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com

Hi,

I was hoping I could request some advice.

I'm putting together a presentation set which has includes two
presentations:

1. a editable presentation that includes some link buttons in the master
slide template - this presentation can be edited and renamed by the guys
who
present it, but let's call it "custom.ppt" for the moment.
2. a read-only presentation (locked by means of a modification password)
that can't be edited by the guys who are presenting - this file is always
called "main.ppt".

The idea is that each time the team do a presentation, they can create a
specific presentation using the custom.ppt template, but while in
slideshow
mode, they can link into content from main.ppt by using the link buttons
on
the slide master of custom.ppt.

This has to work in both PowerPoint 2003 and PowerPoint 2003 Viewer.

Am pretty much there, but one thing's stumping me - when linking into
main.ppt from custom.ppt using PowerPoint 2003, it always prompts for the
modification password for main.ppt. (This isn't a problem in PowerPoint
2003
Viewer.)

Is there a way around this? I guess the possible use of macros is limited
due to the need for the same file to be compatibile with PowerPoint 2003
Viewer.

All advice would be much appreciated! I'm afraid taking the modification
password off wouldn't be appropriate, unless there's another way to
protecting the content of main.ppt?

Please note that the password on main.ppt is a password to modify, not a
password to open.

Many thanks.

Best regards,
Dave

 

[Echo S]

You do Echo!

Ah, bummer!

 

[Dave Ag]

Hi John and Echo,

Many thanks for this - and for such a speedy response.

Yes, had tried renaming the main one as .pps - had hoped that would work,
but as you say John, unfortunately not!!

PNGs wouldn't work for this particular one as lots of animation, and links,
etc., but embedding a .pps in another file is a genius idea. I reckon that
will provide more than enough protection - if anyone really wanted to hack
the presentation they'd manage even with the modify password I'm sure.

Will give it a go and will let you know how I get on.

Thanks a lot for your time - much appreciated!

Dave

You do Echo!

_____________________________
John Wilson
Microsoft Certified Office Specialist

I haven't tried it, but in addition to John's suggestions, if you change the
file (the main.ppt) to main.PPS (with a modify password), do you still get
prompted for the password?

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com

Hi,

I was hoping I could request some advice.

I'm putting together a presentation set which has includes two
presentations:

1. a editable presentation that includes some link buttons in the master
slide template - this presentation can be edited and renamed by the guys
who
present it, but let's call it "custom.ppt" for the moment.
2. a read-only presentation (locked by means of a modification password)
that can't be edited by the guys who are presenting - this file is always
called "main.ppt".

The idea is that each time the team do a presentation, they can create a
specific presentation using the custom.ppt template, but while in
slideshow
mode, they can link into content from main.ppt by using the link buttons
on
the slide master of custom.ppt.

This has to work in both PowerPoint 2003 and PowerPoint 2003 Viewer.

Am pretty much there, but one thing's stumping me - when linking into
main.ppt from custom.ppt using PowerPoint 2003, it always prompts for the
modification password for main.ppt. (This isn't a problem in PowerPoint
2003
Viewer.)

Is there a way around this? I guess the possible use of macros is limited
due to the need for the same file to be compatibile with PowerPoint 2003
Viewer.

All advice would be much appreciated! I'm afraid taking the modification
password off wouldn't be appropriate, unless there's another way to
protecting the content of main.ppt?

Please note that the password on main.ppt is a password to modify, not a
password to open.

Many thanks.

Best regards,
Dave

 

[trish]

Hi Dave

John's gone to buy beer! (I'm his other half)

We are quite interested in this (the genius idea wasn't ours though) There
has to be a way to disable the password prompt and just open in read only
mode. I'm working on it and if i find a way I'll let you know via this group.

Hi John and Echo,

Many thanks for this - and for such a speedy response.

Yes, had tried renaming the main one as .pps - had hoped that would work,
but as you say John, unfortunately not!!

PNGs wouldn't work for this particular one as lots of animation, and links,
etc., but embedding a .pps in another file is a genius idea. I reckon that
will provide more than enough protection - if anyone really wanted to hack
the presentation they'd manage even with the modify password I'm sure.

Will give it a go and will let you know how I get on.

Thanks a lot for your time - much appreciated!

Dave

You do Echo!

_____________________________
John Wilson
Microsoft Certified Office Specialist

I haven't tried it, but in addition to John's suggestions, if you change the
file (the main.ppt) to main.PPS (with a modify password), do you still get
prompted for the password?

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com


Hi,

I was hoping I could request some advice.

I'm putting together a presentation set which has includes two
presentations:

1. a editable presentation that includes some link buttons in the master
slide template - this presentation can be edited and renamed by the guys
who
present it, but let's call it "custom.ppt" for the moment.
2. a read-only presentation (locked by means of a modification password)
that can't be edited by the guys who are presenting - this file is always
called "main.ppt".

The idea is that each time the team do a presentation, they can create a
specific presentation using the custom.ppt template, but while in
slideshow
mode, they can link into content from main.ppt by using the link buttons
on
the slide master of custom.ppt.

This has to work in both PowerPoint 2003 and PowerPoint 2003 Viewer.

Am pretty much there, but one thing's stumping me - when linking into
main.ppt from custom.ppt using PowerPoint 2003, it always prompts for the
modification password for main.ppt. (This isn't a problem in PowerPoint
2003
Viewer.)

Is there a way around this? I guess the possible use of macros is limited
due to the need for the same file to be compatibile with PowerPoint 2003
Viewer.

All advice would be much appreciated! I'm afraid taking the modification
password off wouldn't be appropriate, unless there's another way to
protecting the content of main.ppt?

Please note that the password on main.ppt is a password to modify, not a
password to open.

Many thanks.

Best regards,
Dave

 

[Dave Ag]

Hello,

Hope the beers were good John!

Have tried the embed trick. Works well in PPT 2003, with the slight drawback
that specific slides can't be linked to within the embedded presentation
(don't suppose there's a way around that?).

The real drawback, though, is that it doesn't work in Viewer - it says
PowerPoint 2003 Viewer doesn't support opening embedded objects.

Any thoughts? If you do come across any ideas re. avoiding the password
request Trish and just opening in read only, that'd be awesome - please note
that, due to the need for it to work with PowerPont Viewer, we can't use
macros which is obviously quite a big constraint.

Thanks again for your help,
Dave

Hi Dave

John's gone to buy beer! (I'm his other half)

We are quite interested in this (the genius idea wasn't ours though) There
has to be a way to disable the password prompt and just open in read only
mode. I'm working on it and if i find a way I'll let you know via this group.

Hi John and Echo,

Many thanks for this - and for such a speedy response.

Yes, had tried renaming the main one as .pps - had hoped that would work,
but as you say John, unfortunately not!!

PNGs wouldn't work for this particular one as lots of animation, and links,
etc., but embedding a .pps in another file is a genius idea. I reckon that
will provide more than enough protection - if anyone really wanted to hack
the presentation they'd manage even with the modify password I'm sure.

Will give it a go and will let you know how I get on.

Thanks a lot for your time - much appreciated!

Dave

You do Echo!

_____________________________
John Wilson
Microsoft Certified Office Specialist



:

I haven't tried it, but in addition to John's suggestions, if you change the
file (the main.ppt) to main.PPS (with a modify password), do you still get
prompted for the password?

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com


Hi,

I was hoping I could request some advice.

I'm putting together a presentation set which has includes two
presentations:

1. a editable presentation that includes some link buttons in the master
slide template - this presentation can be edited and renamed by the guys
who
present it, but let's call it "custom.ppt" for the moment.
2. a read-only presentation (locked by means of a modification password)
that can't be edited by the guys who are presenting - this file is always
called "main.ppt".

The idea is that each time the team do a presentation, they can create a
specific presentation using the custom.ppt template, but while in
slideshow
mode, they can link into content from main.ppt by using the link buttons
on
the slide master of custom.ppt.

This has to work in both PowerPoint 2003 and PowerPoint 2003 Viewer.

Am pretty much there, but one thing's stumping me - when linking into
main.ppt from custom.ppt using PowerPoint 2003, it always prompts for the
modification password for main.ppt. (This isn't a problem in PowerPoint
2003
Viewer.)

Is there a way around this? I guess the possible use of macros is limited
due to the need for the same file to be compatibile with PowerPoint 2003
Viewer.

All advice would be much appreciated! I'm afraid taking the modification
password off wouldn't be appropriate, unless there's another way to
protecting the content of main.ppt?

Please note that the password on main.ppt is a password to modify, not a
password to open.

Many thanks.

Best regards,
Dave

 

[Dave Ag]

Just tried another possibility - turning the main "protected" presentation
into a standalone ".exe" file. The problem is that it now comes up with the:

"Some files can contain viruses or be otherwise harmful to your computer...
etc".

warning dialogue whenever the link is clicked.

Is that one easier to avoid than the password dialogue box?

All the best,
Dave

Hello,

Hope the beers were good John!

Have tried the embed trick. Works well in PPT 2003, with the slight drawback
that specific slides can't be linked to within the embedded presentation
(don't suppose there's a way around that?).

The real drawback, though, is that it doesn't work in Viewer - it says
PowerPoint 2003 Viewer doesn't support opening embedded objects.

Any thoughts? If you do come across any ideas re. avoiding the password
request Trish and just opening in read only, that'd be awesome - please note
that, due to the need for it to work with PowerPont Viewer, we can't use
macros which is obviously quite a big constraint.

Thanks again for your help,
Dave

Hi Dave

John's gone to buy beer! (I'm his other half)

We are quite interested in this (the genius idea wasn't ours though) There
has to be a way to disable the password prompt and just open in read only
mode. I'm working on it and if i find a way I'll let you know via this group.

Hi John and Echo,

Many thanks for this - and for such a speedy response.

Yes, had tried renaming the main one as .pps - had hoped that would work,
but as you say John, unfortunately not!!

PNGs wouldn't work for this particular one as lots of animation, and links,
etc., but embedding a .pps in another file is a genius idea. I reckon that
will provide more than enough protection - if anyone really wanted to hack
the presentation they'd manage even with the modify password I'm sure.

Will give it a go and will let you know how I get on.

Thanks a lot for your time - much appreciated!

Dave

:

You do Echo!

_____________________________
John Wilson
Microsoft Certified Office Specialist



:

I haven't tried it, but in addition to John's suggestions, if you change the
file (the main.ppt) to main.PPS (with a modify password), do you still get
prompted for the password?

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com


Hi,

I was hoping I could request some advice.

I'm putting together a presentation set which has includes two
presentations:

1. a editable presentation that includes some link buttons in the master
slide template - this presentation can be edited and renamed by the guys
who
present it, but let's call it "custom.ppt" for the moment.
2. a read-only presentation (locked by means of a modification password)
that can't be edited by the guys who are presenting - this file is always
called "main.ppt".

The idea is that each time the team do a presentation, they can create a
specific presentation using the custom.ppt template, but while in
slideshow
mode, they can link into content from main.ppt by using the link buttons
on
the slide master of custom.ppt.

This has to work in both PowerPoint 2003 and PowerPoint 2003 Viewer.

Am pretty much there, but one thing's stumping me - when linking into
main.ppt from custom.ppt using PowerPoint 2003, it always prompts for the
modification password for main.ppt. (This isn't a problem in PowerPoint
2003
Viewer.)

Is there a way around this? I guess the possible use of macros is limited
due to the need for the same file to be compatibile with PowerPoint 2003
Viewer.

All advice would be much appreciated! I'm afraid taking the modification
password off wouldn't be appropriate, unless there's another way to
protecting the content of main.ppt?

Please note that the password on main.ppt is a password to modify, not a
password to open.

Many thanks.

Best regards,
Dave

 

[Echo S]

Just tried another possibility - turning the main "protected" presentation
into a standalone ".exe" file. The problem is that it now comes up with
the:

"Some files can contain viruses or be otherwise harmful to your
computer...
etc".

warning dialogue whenever the link is clicked.

Is that one easier to avoid than the password dialogue box?

Unfortunately, no. If you want to have users run a utility to turn the
warning off, MVP Chirag Dalal has one for download here

http://officeone.mvps.org/download/hyperlink_warning.html

I don't think I'd go this route, though.

If you decide to go the photo route to protect the file, you can still get
your animations. Make a copy of the file, strip out the animations, and save
the slides as images. Reimport those into a blank PPT file. (You can use a
batch importer for the reimport to make it faster, or you can use RnR
Protect, a utility designed to output as images and reimport into a new
file -- if you have notes on the notes pages, it'll even include them!
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptools/FAQ00032.htm )

Now open the new file with the images and the original file side-by-side.
Slide by slide, copy the animated stuff from the original file and paste it
on the image. It's tedious, but it is usually enough protection for most
purposes. Of course, you might need to make images of some of the animated
textboxes and animate those in the new file, but you get the idea....

 

[Dave Ag]

Hi Echo,

Thanks - unfortunately the guys who are using it have such restricted access
rights, I don't think they'll be allowed to install the hyperlink
application. V useful to know about it though.

Images might be the way forward then. I guess the file size might get pretty
huge, that's the drawback, but perhaps the only way.

Thanks for all the tips for making the process a bit quicker!
Dave

 

[Dave Ag]

Hi Trish,

Have been looking into the idea of opening it straight into read-only mode
as you suggested and found that this works from the "Run" command line:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\POWERPNT.EXE" /s
"C:\Presentations\main.ppt"

But no luck getting it to work within PowerPoint. Don't suppose you have any
magic solutions??!

Best wishes,
Dave

Hi Dave

John's gone to buy beer! (I'm his other half)

We are quite interested in this (the genius idea wasn't ours though) There
has to be a way to disable the password prompt and just open in read only
mode. I'm working on it and if i find a way I'll let you know via this group.

Hi John and Echo,

Many thanks for this - and for such a speedy response.

Yes, had tried renaming the main one as .pps - had hoped that would work,
but as you say John, unfortunately not!!

PNGs wouldn't work for this particular one as lots of animation, and links,
etc., but embedding a .pps in another file is a genius idea. I reckon that
will provide more than enough protection - if anyone really wanted to hack
the presentation they'd manage even with the modify password I'm sure.

Will give it a go and will let you know how I get on.

Thanks a lot for your time - much appreciated!

Dave

You do Echo!

_____________________________
John Wilson
Microsoft Certified Office Specialist



:

I haven't tried it, but in addition to John's suggestions, if you change the
file (the main.ppt) to main.PPS (with a modify password), do you still get
prompted for the password?

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/powerpointannoy/
PPTLive! Sept 17-20, 2006 http://www.pptlive.com


Hi,

I was hoping I could request some advice.

I'm putting together a presentation set which has includes two
presentations:

1. a editable presentation that includes some link buttons in the master
slide template - this presentation can be edited and renamed by the guys
who
present it, but let's call it "custom.ppt" for the moment.
2. a read-only presentation (locked by means of a modification password)
that can't be edited by the guys who are presenting - this file is always
called "main.ppt".

The idea is that each time the team do a presentation, they can create a
specific presentation using the custom.ppt template, but while in
slideshow
mode, they can link into content from main.ppt by using the link buttons
on
the slide master of custom.ppt.

This has to work in both PowerPoint 2003 and PowerPoint 2003 Viewer.

Am pretty much there, but one thing's stumping me - when linking into
main.ppt from custom.ppt using PowerPoint 2003, it always prompts for the
modification password for main.ppt. (This isn't a problem in PowerPoint
2003
Viewer.)

Is there a way around this? I guess the possible use of macros is limited
due to the need for the same file to be compatibile with PowerPoint 2003
Viewer.

All advice would be much appreciated! I'm afraid taking the modification
password off wouldn't be appropriate, unless there's another way to
protecting the content of main.ppt?

Please note that the password on main.ppt is a password to modify, not a
password to open.

Many thanks.

Best regards,
Dave

 

[JGT]

I've been looking at Secure Pack from http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00038.htm as a
possible solution. From my limited test it looks like it will do the job. The
only downside is the cost, e.g. $100 US for one license.