Can't see comments created on PowerPoint for Windows

[Bergström, Martin]

The subject says it all.

If I create a comment on PowerPoint 2004 for Mac OS X and open the document
in a Windows version of PowerPoint the comment is seen. If I create a
comment in the Windows version of PowerPoint and open the document the
comment can't bee seen even if "Comments" is checked in the "View" menu.

What's going on here?
You call that compatibility between platforms?

 

[Mickey Stevens]

Sorry, that's a known issue in PowerPoint for Mac. Be sure to send this
feedback to Microsoft. In PowerPoint, go to Help > Send Feedback on
PowerPoint. Otherwise, click on this direct link to enter Mac Product
Feedback:
<http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx?pid=feedback>

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

The subject says it all.

If I create a comment on PowerPoint 2004 for Mac OS X and open the document
in a Windows version of PowerPoint the comment is seen. If I create a
comment in the Windows version of PowerPoint and open the document the
comment can't bee seen even if "Comments" is checked in the "View" menu.

What's going on here?
You call that compatibility between platforms?

More a compatibility between versions issue, I'd guess.

The same is true between PPT 2002/2003 (PC) and earlier PC versions.

I'm guessing that this (run on the PC version) might fix things:

Convert PowerPoint 2002/2003 comments into PowerPoint 2000 comments
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00462.htm


================================================
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

 

[Jim Gordon]

Hi,

As Steve points out, the bug applies to other versions of PowerPoint on
windows, too.

Essentially, the Windows PowerPoint team did not accommodate backwards
compatibility for their revised commenting and organization chart
features. They went ahead broke compatibility with all other versions of
PowerPoint as if it didn't matter to anyone. The Mac PowerPoint team did
not adopt the Windows changes and hence is still good and compatible
with existing versions.

Now I wonder if the Windows PPT 2007 version kept the bad new design or
went back to the good old one.

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

 

[Jim Gordon]

To satisfy my curiosity I tried to put an organization chart into a
PowerPoint presentation in PPT 2007. The org chart add-in turns out not
to be installed by default upgrade. So I installed it separately and
told office to run it from my computer. Unfortunately, I have no idea
where the installer put the add-in. It does not turn up in the add-ins
manager. Hence, my conclusion is that it is not really possible to run
organization chart in PPT 2007, at least not without going through hoops
that remain unexplained. The help system says the add-in has not
changed much since PowerPoint 95. That's not true, as it was revamped
in 2003 and broken at that time.

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

To satisfy my curiosity I tried to put an organization chart into a
PowerPoint presentation in PPT 2007. The org chart add-in turns out not
to be installed by default upgrade.

But you don't really need it:

Insert, SmartArt, Hierarchy ... gives you several org chart addins.

I'm guessing that to insert an old (ie, pre 2002/2003) style Org Chart you
might need to do Insert, Object and scroll around to find something likely
looking. It wasn't an addin in the older versions; rather it was a mini-app
like MS Graph, the thing that makes charts in PPT, so I kind of doubt it's an
addin now.

Love that help explanation. "After Organization Chart is installed, you can
open it." HelicopterHelp. Tsk.

So I installed it separately and
told office to run it from my computer. Unfortunately, I have no idea
where the installer put the add-in. It does not turn up in the add-ins
manager. Hence, my conclusion is that it is not really possible to run
organization chart in PPT 2007, at least not without going through hoops
that remain unexplained. The help system says the add-in has not
changed much since PowerPoint 95. That's not true, as it was revamped
in 2003 and broken at that time.

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

================================================
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

 

[Jim Gordon]

OK, I made an org chart using the Hierarchy method (a wonderfully
counterintuitive name). When I saved the presentation in 97 to 2003
format the org chart was not saved as an embedded org chart, just a picture.

However, is that the same org chart program that gets installed when you
run the installer and choose the org chart program to Run On This
Computer? I did that and can't seem to find it anywhere.

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

OK, I made an org chart using the Hierarchy method (a wonderfully
counterintuitive name). When I saved the presentation in 97 to 2003
format the org chart was not saved as an embedded org chart, just a picture.

Right. That's a known/expected behavior. They're trying to preserve visual
integrity over functional when saving backwards to a format/version that doesn't
support a particular feature. You can see it, you can print it but you can't edit
it as you could in 2007. There may also be some magic that lets you bring it back
alive, editable in 2007.

However, is that the same org chart program that gets installed when you
run the installer and choose the org chart program to Run On This
Computer? I did that and can't seem to find it anywhere.

No ... the chart you created, by however unintuitive a path, is a native-to-Office
feature in 2007. The optional org chart mini-app is available to give you
compatibility/editability for org charts created in pre-2002 versions of PPT.

And wonder of wonders, I *did* install that and I was right:

Click the Insert tab. Click Object in the Text chunk (hold that "UNINTUITIVE!"
for later when we can enjoy it together over a beer) and scroll down to
"Organization Chart Add-in for Microsoft Office Programs". It's waaaaayyy at the
bottom because everything else alphabetizes under "Microsoft Office yada whatever
doodah".

That gives you the old-style OrgChart addin.

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

================================================
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

 

[Jim Gordon]

Right. That's a known/expected behavior. They're trying to preserve visual
integrity over functional when saving backwards to a format/version that doesn't
support a particular feature. You can see it, you can print it but you can't edit
it as you could in 2007. There may also be some magic that lets you bring it back
alive, editable in 2007.


No ... the chart you created, by however unintuitive a path, is a native-to-Office
feature in 2007. The optional org chart mini-app is available to give you
compatibility/editability for org charts created in pre-2002 versions of PPT.

And wonder of wonders, I *did* install that and I was right:

Click the Insert tab. Click Object in the Text chunk (hold that "UNINTUITIVE!"
for later when we can enjoy it together over a beer) and scroll down to
"Organization Chart Add-in for Microsoft Office Programs". It's waaaaayyy at the
bottom because everything else alphabetizes under "Microsoft Office yada whatever
doodah".

That gives you the old-style OrgChart addin.

Yes, that does! And the org chart that is created comes through as an
actual organization chart when saved as PPT 97 thru 2003 (another
mistake, it ought to be 2004) format.

That is good because now we can start using organization charts in
Office again. We bought other software because the 2003 format was
incompatible with earlier versions.

So it seems that the correct way to put org charts into 2007 is to
follow the steps as you described them.

Now if I could only figure out how to change the slide layout in 2007...

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

And wonder of wonders, I *did* install that and I was right:

Yes, that does! And the org chart that is created comes through as an
actual organization chart when saved as PPT 97 thru 2003 (another
mistake, it ought to be 2004) format.

Yep, because it uses the same mechanism internally ... inserting an OLE object supplied
by a little server app. Same as MSGraph charts in earlier versions (and you can also
opt to install MSGraph in 2007 so you can create/edit those if need be).

That is good because now we can start using organization charts in
Office again. We bought other software because the 2003 format was
incompatible with earlier versions.

You might also want to have a look here:
http://www.orgplusexpress.com/

So it seems that the correct way to put org charts into 2007 is to
follow the steps as you described them.

Would I lie to you? When there's no money in it for me???? ;-)

Now if I could only figure out how to change the slide layout in 2007...

To select a different one or to alter one that exists?


================================================
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

 

[Jim Gordon]

I want to change one that already exists.

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

I want to change one that already exists.

View, Slide Master

Pick the layout you want to change and if it's just a matter of moving the goodies
that are there already, click 'n' drag away.

Or use Insert Placeholder on the Master Layout chunk to add new placeholders.
Or copy existing ones (no more 1-placeholder-of-this-type limit, it seems. You want
a couple extra body text placeholders? Add 'em.)

Use Insert Layout on the Edit Master chunk to add a new layout.

The UI isn't something I'm looking forward to having around the house but there are
certainly some nice, long-awaited features underneath it.

So are you running this on a dualbootie intel-o-Mac?

================================================
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

 

[Jim Gordon]

Hi again,

I don't want to change the slide master, just the layout of a regular
slide in a presentation. When I insert a new slide I'm offered the
various choices for layout. How to I display that same menu of choices
on a slide that's already there?

This is indeed on one of those new Macs, but I'm using Parallels, not
boot camp. That means I can't run Vista yet because I don't want to
repartition my hard drive and because I want the Mac OS and Windows
running simultaneously.

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Hi again,

I don't want to change the slide master, just the layout of a regular
slide in a presentation. When I insert a new slide I'm offered the
various choices for layout. How to I display that same menu of choices
on a slide that's already there?

Ah. For that, you use the Home tab, Slides chunk, Layout.
[You'll perhaps have noticed, not without reason, that I have yet to use the word
"intuitive" in this thread.]

This is indeed on one of those new Macs, but I'm using Parallels, not
boot camp. That means I can't run Vista yet because I don't want to
repartition my hard drive and because I want the Mac OS and Windows
running simultaneously.

Both at once .. slick! I didn't know that was even possible.

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

================================================
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

 

[Jim Gordon]

Hi again,

I don't want to change the slide master, just the layout of a regular
slide in a presentation. When I insert a new slide I'm offered the
various choices for layout. How to I display that same menu of choices
on a slide that's already there?

Ah. For that, you use the Home tab, Slides chunk, Layout.
[You'll perhaps have noticed, not without reason, that I have yet to use the word
"intuitive" in this thread.]

Um. OK. But where did title plus 2 text boxes go? Title plus 1 text box?
Those are the two I use the most. How come that's not a tear-off
toolbar? Looks to me like Office 2007 Windows will be the best salesman
for Office for the Mac so far.

Both at once .. slick! I didn't know that was even possible.

Not only that, but it runs really fast. Like faster than a 2.5 GHZ
Pentium Dell. It uses a network drive to share files between the two
operating systems.

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Ah. For that, you use the Home tab, Slides chunk, Layout.

[You'll perhaps have noticed, not without reason, that I have yet to use the word
"intuitive" in this thread.]

Um. OK. But where did title plus 2 text boxes go?Title plus 1 text box?

"Content" now means PictureTextboxTableGraphExcelthingieMediaEtcEtcEtc

You want Title and Content or Two Content. Or maybe the new Comparison.
Or create your own. Title and UmpteenContent.

Those are the two I use the most. How come that's not a tear-off
toolbar?

Because if you like to customize the interface, you'll hate this. Other than customizing
buttons onto the Quick Access Toolbar (aka the QAT), the universal answer is "You can't do
that". QAT or sQUAT. You might say.

Looks to me like Office 2007 Windows will be the best salesman
for Office for the Mac so far.

If you can talk Apple into throwing in a free computer with every purchase, sure.
Until they "improve" the Mac version too, anyhow. ;-)

Not only that, but it runs really fast. Like faster than a 2.5 GHZ
Pentium Dell. It uses a network drive to share files between the two
operating systems.

================================================
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

 

[Jim Gordon]

Ah. For that, you use the Home tab, Slides chunk, Layout.
[You'll perhaps have noticed, not without reason, that I have yet to use the word
"intuitive" in this thread.]

Um. OK. But where did title plus 2 text boxes go?Title plus 1 text box?

"Content" now means PictureTextboxTableGraphExcelthingieMediaEtcEtcEtc

OK. So I look in the section that's labeled "Add slide" to find the
hidden submenu that has a tool-tip that says "Layout - Change the Layout
of the selected slide" that has a sub-sub menu labeled "Blank
presentation" but it isn't and it that can't be torn off that has Sub
sub sub menu that has two different Content + Layout things that put
additional layouts that pop up different choices and place your changes
on top of the existing layouts instead of replacing them, unless you
click one of the layouts on the the sub-sub menu in which case they do
change the layouts. Successive clicks to the sub-sub-sub menu causes the
MSN Installation Wizard to appear out of no-where and take over the
screen. This is beyond bad. It's simply insane. No wonder Bill quit as
chief software architect.

You want Title and Content or Two Content. Or maybe the new Comparison.
Or create your own. Title and UmpteenContent.


Because if you like to customize the interface, you'll hate this. Other than customizing
buttons onto the Quick Access Toolbar (aka the QAT), the universal answer is "You can't do
that". QAT or sQUAT. You might say.


If you can talk Apple into throwing in a free computer with every purchase, sure.
Until they "improve" the Mac version too, anyhow. ;-)

Won't have to. Office 2007 users will be begging Apple to sell them
computers at twice the price of Windows boxes.

Where is the visual basic editor? How do I record macros? How do I
customize this Ribbon thing?

I am *so* glad I have a Mac now.

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Ah. For that, you use the Home tab, Slides chunk, Layout.
[You'll perhaps have noticed, not without reason, that I have yet to use the word
"intuitive" in this thread.]
Um. OK. But where did title plus 2 text boxes go?Title plus 1 text box?

"Content" now means PictureTextboxTableGraphExcelthingieMediaEtcEtcEtc

OK. So I look in the section that's labeled "Add slide" to find the
hidden submenu that has a tool-tip that says "Layout - Change the Layout
of the selected slide"

Um. No.

Home tab.
Right under "Home" there's a "Slides" section (they call 'em chunks, at least until
marketing comes up with something sleeker, I suppose).

In that, there's a Layout dropdown. The layouts are all on it.

Won't have to. Office 2007 users will be begging Apple to sell them
computers at twice the price of Windows boxes.

More likely, they'll keep using 2000 like so many of them already are. Or 2003 and
holding.

Where is the visual basic editor?

It's there. Send twenty bucks and I'll tell you how to .... oh, heck. Here:

Click that round thing at upper left ... the icon whose tool tip says "File".
Click PowerPoint options at the bottom of the dialog thing that opens up.
Click Personalize
Checkmark "Show Developer tab in the Ribbon"
Click OK.

Now you have a Developer tab on the ribbon bar and that's where VBA lives.
Or if you're the impatient type, press Alt+F11 and be done with it. ;-)

How do I record macros?

Start, All Programs, Microsoft, PowerPoint 2003.
No macro recorder. Finally. Feature parity with Mac PPT. ;-)
Well. Not quite. They haven't removed intellisense.

How do I customize this Ribbon thing?

Customize? What is the meaning of this "customize"?

What I said about the QAT ... I was serious.
You'll be able to do some customization via code but no more customize menu, no
more alt dragondrop. User-accessible customization is dead.

I am *so* glad I have a Mac now.

Until they improve your version too, sure. It's not really a Mac/PC thing so much
as Them (interface "wizards" at MS) vs. Us


================================================
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

 

[Jim Gordon]

Ah. For that, you use the Home tab, Slides chunk, Layout.
[You'll perhaps have noticed, not without reason, that I have yet to use the word
"intuitive" in this thread.]
Um. OK. But where did title plus 2 text boxes go?Title plus 1 text box?
"Content" now means PictureTextboxTableGraphExcelthingieMediaEtcEtcEtc

OK. So I look in the section that's labeled "Add slide" to find the
hidden submenu that has a tool-tip that says "Layout - Change the Layout
of the selected slide"

Um. No.

Home tab.
Right under "Home" there's a "Slides" section (they call 'em chunks, at least until
marketing comes up with something sleeker, I suppose).

In that, there's a Layout dropdown. The layouts are all on it.

We're both talking about the exact same thing. Isn't this new interface
easy to describe. I can't wait to have to explain it to people who want
to use PowerPoint.

More likely, they'll keep using 2000 like so many of them already are. Or 2003 and
holding.


It's there. Send twenty bucks and I'll tell you how to .... oh, heck. Here:

Click that round thing at upper left ... the icon whose tool tip says "File".
Click PowerPoint options at the bottom of the dialog thing that opens up.
Click Personalize
Checkmark "Show Developer tab in the Ribbon"
Click OK.

Now you have a Developer tab on the ribbon bar and that's where VBA lives.
Or if you're the impatient type, press Alt+F11 and be done with it. ;-)


Start, All Programs, Microsoft, PowerPoint 2003.
No macro recorder. Finally. Feature parity with Mac PPT. ;-)
Well. Not quite. They haven't removed intellisense.

Yikes! How come I didn't see the PPT and VB MVPs screaming bloody murder
about it?

Customize? What is the meaning of this "customize"?

I only want to display the buttons that I choose. I don't like the ones
that the PPT team picked out for me.

What I said about the QAT ... I was serious.
You'll be able to do some customization via code but no more customize menu, no
more alt dragondrop. User-accessible customization is dead.

Time for one of us to make an add-in that customizes the ribbon thingy.

Until they improve your version too, sure. It's not really a Mac/PC thing so much
as Them (interface "wizards" at MS) vs. Us

The MacBU will not be able to duplicate the ribbon. The Mac UI requires
menus.


-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

We're both talking about the exact same thing. Isn't this new interface

easy to describe. I can't wait to have to explain it to people who want
to use PowerPoint.

For the most part, once you get used to the new terminology for the various bits (tabs,
chunks -- for now; I expect it'll change by release) it's not that difficult.

That begs the question of why we should have to. Whether you like Windows or Mac
comptuers, the thing that makes them work for users is that there's a common set of
interface conventions that the OS and virtually ALL apps follow. A contract, if you
will, that in exchange for giving lots of resources to the OS and UI, the user in return
gets to count on a few universals. There will ALWAYS be a FILE menu, and under it, the
user will find stuff having to do with Files.

This breaks the contract.

[Macro recorder]

Yikes! How come I didn't see the PPT and VB MVPs screaming bloody murder
about it?

I expect that some of that'd fall under NDA. On the other hand, the macro recorder's
never been all THAT useful. It'll guide you to the right method or property sometimes,
but you can rarely use its code as-is for much of anything.

I still use it in Excel or Word because I don't know those object models, so I'll miss
it there. OTOH, I'd have a machine with another version of Office on it, so mostly I'd
miss the convenience of having it on the same machine.

I only want to display the buttons that I choose. I don't like the ones
that the PPT team picked out for me.

How's your XML?

Seriously. Other than the QAT, you don't get to push the buttons around any more.

Time for one of us to make an add-in that customizes the ribbon thingy.

I think Patrick Schmid is already working on one.

The MacBU will not be able to duplicate the ribbon. The Mac UI requires
menus.

Is that a "Best practices" sort of recommendation or does it literally not function w/o
them?


================================================
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================