Charts created in 97-2004 color shifts when editing in 2008

[murman]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) Processor: Intel Hi:
I have a PPT that saved as 97-2004.ppt. I have a custom them .pot applied and the chart colors are the same as the original (what I want). But when I edit the charts, either converted to the new 2008 charting or editing original, the colors change on the chart details (bars, lines, font colors, etc.) Any suggestions very welcomed. TIA.

 

[Jim Gordon Mac MVP]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) Processor: Intel
Hi:
I have a PPT that saved as 97-2004.ppt. I have a custom them .pot
applied and the chart colors are the same as the original (what I want).
But when I edit the charts, either converted to the new 2008 charting or
editing original, the colors change on the chart details (bars, lines,
font colors, etc.) Any suggestions very welcomed. TIA.

Hi,

There are several ways to approach this problem. One way would be to
create a theme that has the colors you desire (Format > Theme) and then
save the Theme.

There's a lot about how to work with themes in PowerPoint Help as well
as in the Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies book.

-Jim

 

[murman]

> > Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) Processor: Intel
> > Hi:
> > I have a PPT that saved as 97-2004.ppt. I have a custom them .pot
> > applied and the chart colors are the same as the original (what I want).
> > But when I edit the charts, either converted to the new 2008 charting or
> > editing original, the colors change on the chart details (bars, lines,
> > font colors, etc.) Any suggestions very welcomed. TIA.

>
> Hi,
>
> There are several ways to approach this problem. One way would be to
> create a theme that has the colors you desire (Format > Theme) and then
> save the Theme.
>
> There's a lot about how to work with themes in PowerPoint Help as well
> as in the Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies book.
>
> -Jim
>
> --
> Jim Gordon
> Mac MVP
> Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
> http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies
> Hi Jim:

Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't a .pot template a theme? In my original post I mentioned that "I have a PPT that saved as 97-2004.ppt. I have a custom them .pot". My .pot has custom colors in it etc. which apply correctly when I apply that template. But when I go to edit a graph, the custom colors go away. Most of the ppt's I get have been based on the custom .pot, but it seems 2008 shifts colors of ppt's created in previous version of Powerpoint. Thanks for your help!

 

[Jim Gordon Mac MVP]

Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't a .pot template a theme? In my
original post I mentioned that "I have a PPT that saved as 97-2004.ppt.
I have a custom them .pot". My .pot has custom colors in it etc. which
apply correctly when I apply that template. But when I go to edit a
graph, the custom colors go away. Most of the ppt's I get have been
based on the custom .pot, but it seems 2008 shifts colors of ppt's
created in previous version of Powerpoint. Thanks for your help!

..pot is a template for versions 97 through 2004
..potx is a template for versions 2007 through 2011
..thmx is a theme for versions 2007 for 2011 (this is a new format
beginning with 2007)

On the Mac, beginning with PowerPoint 2008 you can apply and save
themes. A theme consists of a color scheme, a font family, and (in
PowerPoint) master slides, slide layouts and formatting. Themes appear
in the Themes Elements Gallery and can be opened as PowerPoint
presentations from the Project Gallery.

A template is a presentation that is saved so that when you open it, the
original is untouched and a copy is opened with a new file name.
Templates are best opened from the Project Gallery.

-Jim

 

[murman]

> > > (e-mail address removed) wrote:
> > > > Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) Processor: > > Intel
> > > > Hi:
> > > > I have a PPT that saved as 97-2004.ppt. I have a custom them .pot
> > > > applied and the chart colors are the same as the original (what I > > want).
> > > > But when I edit the charts, either converted to the new 2008 > > charting or
> > > > editing original, the colors change on the chart details (bars, lines,
> > > > font colors, etc.) Any suggestions very welcomed. TIA.
> > >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > There are several ways to approach this problem. One way would be to
> > > create a theme that has the colors you desire (Format > Theme) and then
> > > save the Theme.
> > >
> > > There's a lot about how to work with themes in PowerPoint Help as well
> > > as in the Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies book.
> > >
> > > -Jim
> > >
> > > --
> > > Jim Gordon
> > > Mac MVP
> > > Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
> > > http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies
> > > Hi Jim:

> >
> > Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't a .pot template a theme? In my
> > original post I mentioned that "I have a PPT that saved as 97-2004.ppt.
> > I have a custom them .pot". My .pot has custom colors in it etc. which
> > apply correctly when I apply that template. But when I go to edit a
> > graph, the custom colors go away. Most of the ppt's I get have been
> > based on the custom .pot, but it seems 2008 shifts colors of ppt's
> > created in previous version of Powerpoint. Thanks for your help!

>
> .pot is a template for versions 97 through 2004
> .potx is a template for versions 2007 through 2011
> .thmx is a theme for versions 2007 for 2011 (this is a new format
> beginning with 2007)
>
> On the Mac, beginning with PowerPoint 2008 you can apply and save
> themes. A theme consists of a color scheme, a font family, and (in
> PowerPoint) master slides, slide layouts and formatting. Themes appear
> in the Themes Elements Gallery and can be opened as PowerPoint
> presentations from the Project Gallery.
>
> A template is a presentation that is saved so that when you open it, the
> original is untouched and a copy is opened with a new file name.
> Templates are best opened from the Project Gallery.
>
> -Jim
> --
> Jim Gordon
> Mac MVP
> Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
> http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies
>

Thanks Jim:

Still confused though. Firstly, can't a .pot or .potx also be applied to a ppt for color, font, master page formatting. Non the less, when I:

Took a supplied .potx and saved it as a .thmx. Then took a supplied pre-2007 ppt, opened in 2008 and applied the new .thmx. The colors on the graphs, fonts, etc did not shift. When I go to edit the graphs, whether by choosing to "edit existing" or "convert", the colors in the graph shifts, and they appear to be colors not even in the "theme".

Thanks for your time on this!

 

[murman]

Looks like this did't go through as a reply so am re-posting, sorry...

Thanks Jim:

Still confused though. Firstly, can't a .pot or .potx also be applied to a ppt for color, font, master page formatting. Non the less, when I:

Took a supplied .potx and saved it as a .thmx. Then took a supplied pre-2007 ppt, opened in 2008 and applied the new .thmx. The colors on the graphs, fonts, etc did not shift. When I go to edit the graphs, whether by choosing to "edit existing" or "convert", the colors in the graph shifts, and they appear to be colors not even in the "theme".

Thanks for your time on this!

> > > > > But when I edit the charts, either converted to the new 2008
> > > charting or
> > > > > editing original, the colors change on the chart details (bars, lines,
> > > > > font colors, etc.) Any suggestions very welcomed. TIA.
> > > >
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > There are several ways to approach this problem. One way would be to
> > > > create a theme that has the colors you desire (Format > Theme) and then
> > > > save the Theme.
> > > >
> > > > There's a lot about how to work with themes in PowerPoint Help as well
> > > > as in the Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies book.
> > > >
> > > > -Jim
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Jim Gordon
> > > > Mac MVP
> > > > Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
> > > > http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies
> > > > Hi Jim:
> > >
> > > Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't a .pot template a theme? In my
> > > original post I mentioned that "I have a PPT that saved as 97-2004.ppt.
> > > I have a custom them .pot". My .pot has custom colors in it etc. which
> > > apply correctly when I apply that template. But when I go to edit a
> > > graph, the custom colors go away. Most of the ppt's I get have been
> > > based on the custom .pot, but it seems 2008 shifts colors of ppt's
> > > created in previous version of Powerpoint. Thanks for your help!

> >
> > .pot is a template for versions 97 through 2004
> > .potx is a template for versions 2007 through 2011
> > .thmx is a theme for versions 2007 for 2011 (this is a new format
> > beginning with 2007)
> >
> > On the Mac, beginning with PowerPoint 2008 you can apply and save
> > themes. A theme consists of a color scheme, a font family, and (in
> > PowerPoint) master slides, slide layouts and formatting. Themes appear
> > in the Themes Elements Gallery and can be opened as PowerPoint
> > presentations from the Project Gallery.
> >
> > A template is a presentation that is saved so that when you open it, the
> > original is untouched and a copy is opened with a new file name.
> > Templates are best opened from the Project Gallery.
> >
> > -Jim
> > --
> > Jim Gordon
> > Mac MVP
> > Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
> > http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies
> >

> Thanks Jim:
>
> Still confused though. Firstly, can't a .pot or .potx also be applied to a ppt for color, font, master page formatting. Non the less, when I:
>
> Took a supplied .potx and saved it as a .thmx. Then took a supplied pre-2007 ppt, opened in 2008 and applied the new .thmx. The colors on the graphs, fonts, etc did not shift. When I go to edit the graphs, whether by choosing to "edit existing" or "convert", the colors in the graph shifts, and they appear to be colors not even in the "theme".
>
> Thanks for your time on this!

 

[Jim Gordon Mac MVP]

Looks like this did't go through as a reply so am re-posting, sorry...

Thanks Jim:

Still confused though. Firstly, can't a .pot or .potx also be applied to
a ppt for color, font, master page formatting. Non the less, when I:

Took a supplied .potx and saved it as a .thmx. Then took a supplied
pre-2007 ppt, opened in 2008 and applied the new .thmx. The colors on
the graphs, fonts, etc did not shift. When I go to edit the graphs,
whether by choosing to "edit existing" or "convert", the colors in the
graph shifts, and they appear to be colors not even in the "theme".

Thanks for your time on this!
to a ppt for color, font, master page formatting. Non the less, when I:
pre-2007 ppt, opened in 2008 and applied the new .thmx. The colors on
the graphs, fonts, etc did not shift. When I go to edit the graphs,
whether by choosing to "edit existing" or "convert", the colors in the
graph shifts, and they appear to be colors not even in the "theme".

I would use the vocabulary that you open a new presentation based upon a
template. The newly opened presentation starts off as a copy of the
template, but has a new file name and is in PowerPoint (not template)
format. The template could include any number of completed slides, slide
masters, page setup, slideshow settings, sounds, movies, etc. In other
words a template is a complete presentation. When you open a new
presentation based on a template, you start off with everything that was
saved in the template. You don't apply a template. You open a new
presentation from a template.

A theme is not a complete presentation. It is only the colors you find
on the Format > Theme menu, plus a font family, plus the slide masters
and layout masters. You can open a new presentation based on a theme, or
apply a theme to an existing presentation or to selected slides (2 or
more) of an existing presentation.

Themes are new for PowerPoint 2008. If you want to apply themes to older
presentations, first save the presentation in .potx using Save As and
then apply themes. The part of PowerPoint that draws graphs is also new
for 2008. Graphs created in PowerPoint 2007 or 2008 can be formatted by
applying themes. That may not be true for graphs/charts created in older
versions. Graphs created using Insert > Object may also not be accept
theme formatting, as that feature is provided for backwards
compatibility and doesn't use the new graph generating code.

-Jim

 

[murman]

> > > > (e-mail address removed) wrote:
> > > > > > (e-mail address removed) wrote:
> > > > > > > Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) > > Processor:
> > > > > Intel
> > > > > > > Hi:
> > > > > > > I have a PPT that saved as 97-2004.ppt. I have a custom them > > .pot
> > > > > > > applied and the chart colors are the same as the original > > (what I
> > > > > want).

> >
> > Looks like this did't go through as a reply so am re-posting, sorry...
> >
> > Thanks Jim:
> >
> > Still confused though. Firstly, can't a .pot or .potx also be applied to
> > a ppt for color, font, master page formatting. Non the less, when I:
> >
> > Took a supplied .potx and saved it as a .thmx. Then took a supplied
> > pre-2007 ppt, opened in 2008 and applied the new .thmx. The colors on
> > the graphs, fonts, etc did not shift. When I go to edit the graphs,
> > whether by choosing to "edit existing" or "convert", the colors in the
> > graph shifts, and they appear to be colors not even in the "theme".
> >
> > Thanks for your time on this!

> > > > > > > But when I edit the charts, either converted to the new 2008
> > > > > charting or
> > > > > > > editing original, the colors change on the chart details > > (bars, lines,
> > > > > > > font colors, etc.) Any suggestions very welcomed. TIA.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hi,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > There are several ways to approach this problem. One way would > > be to
> > > > > > create a theme that has the colors you desire (Format > Theme) > > and then
> > > > > > save the Theme.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > There's a lot about how to work with themes in PowerPoint Help > > as well
> > > > > > as in the Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies book.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -Jim
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Jim Gordon
> > > > > > Mac MVP
> > > > > > Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
> > > > > > http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies
> > > > > > Hi Jim:
> > > > >
> > > > > Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't a .pot template a theme? > > In my
> > > > > original post I mentioned that "I have a PPT that saved as > > 97-2004.ppt.
> > > > > I have a custom them .pot". My .pot has custom colors in it etc. > > which
> > > > > apply correctly when I apply that template. But when I go to edit a
> > > > > graph, the custom colors go away. Most of the ppt's I get have been
> > > > > based on the custom .pot, but it seems 2008 shifts colors of ppt's
> > > > > created in previous version of Powerpoint. Thanks for your help!
> > > >
> > > > .pot is a template for versions 97 through 2004
> > > > .potx is a template for versions 2007 through 2011
> > > > .thmx is a theme for versions 2007 for 2011 (this is a new format
> > > > beginning with 2007)
> > > >
> > > > On the Mac, beginning with PowerPoint 2008 you can apply and save
> > > > themes. A theme consists of a color scheme, a font family, and (in
> > > > PowerPoint) master slides, slide layouts and formatting. Themes appear
> > > > in the Themes Elements Gallery and can be opened as PowerPoint
> > > > presentations from the Project Gallery.
> > > >
> > > > A template is a presentation that is saved so that when you open > > it, the
> > > > original is untouched and a copy is opened with a new file name.
> > > > Templates are best opened from the Project Gallery.
> > > >
> > > > -Jim
> > > > --
> > > > Jim Gordon
> > > > Mac MVP
> > > > Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
> > > > http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies
> > > >
> > > Thanks Jim:
> > >
> > > Still confused though. Firstly, can't a .pot or .potx also be applied

> > to a ppt for color, font, master page formatting. Non the less, when I:

> > >
> > > Took a supplied .potx and saved it as a .thmx. Then took a supplied

> > pre-2007 ppt, opened in

 

[murman]

> > > > > (e-mail address removed) wrote:
> > > > > > > (e-mail address removed) wrote:
> > > > > > > > Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
> > > Processor:
> > > > > > Intel
> > > > > > > > Hi:
> > > > > > > > I have a PPT that saved as 97-2004.ppt. I have a custom them
> > > .pot
applied and the chart colors are the same as the original
> > > (what I
> > > > > > want).
> > >
> > > Looks like this did't go through as a reply so am re-posting, sorry...
> > >
> > > Thanks Jim:
> > >
> > > Still confused though. Firstly, can't a .pot or .potx also be applied to
> > > a ppt for color, font, master page formatting. Non the less, when I:
> > >
> > > Took a supplied .potx and saved it as a .thmx. Then took a supplied
> > > pre-2007 ppt, opened in 2008 and applied the new .thmx. The colors on
> > > the graphs, fonts, etc did not shift. When I go to edit the graphs,
> > > whether by choosing to "edit existing" or "convert", the colors in the
> > > graph shifts, and they appear to be colors not even in the "theme".
> > >
> > > Thanks for your time on this!
> > > > > > > > But when I edit the charts, either converted to the new 2008
> > > > > > charting or
> > > > > > > > editing original, the colors change on the chart details
> > > (bars, lines,
> > > > > > > > font colors, etc.) Any suggestions very welcomed. TIA.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Hi,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > There are several ways to approach this problem. One way would
> > > be to
> > > > > > > create a theme that has the colors you desire (Format > Theme)
> > > and then
> > > > > > > save the Theme.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > There's a lot about how to work with themes in PowerPoint Help
> > > as well
> > > > > > > as in the Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies book.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > -Jim
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > Jim Gordon
> > > > > > > Mac MVP
> > > > > > > Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
> > > > > > > http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies
> > > > > > > Hi Jim:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't a .pot template a theme?
> > > In my
> > > > > > original post I mentioned that "I have a PPT that saved as
> > > 97-2004.ppt.
> > > > > > I have a custom them .pot". My .pot has custom colors in it etc.
> > > which
> > > > > > apply correctly when I apply that template. But when I go to edit a
> > > > > > graph, the custom colors go away. Most of the ppt's I get have been
> > > > > > based on the custom .pot, but it seems 2008 shifts colors of ppt's
> > > > > > created in previous version of Powerpoint. Thanks for your help!
> > > > >
> > > > > .pot is a template for versions 97 through 2004
> > > > > .potx is a template for versions 2007 through 2011
> > > > > .thmx is a theme for versions 2007 for 2011 (this is a new format
> > > > > beginning with 2007)
> > > > >
> > > > > On the Mac, beginning with PowerPoint 2008 you can apply and save
> > > > > themes. A theme consists of a color scheme, a font family, and (in
> > > > > PowerPoint) master slides, slide layouts and formatting. Themes appear
> > > > > in the Themes Elements Gallery and can be opened as PowerPoint
> > > > > presentations from the Project Gallery.
> > > > >
> > > > > A template is a presentation that is saved so that when you open
> > > it, the
> > > > > original is untouched and a copy is opened with a new file name.
> > > > > Templates are best opened from the Project Gallery.
> > > > >
> > > > > -Jim
> > > > > --
> > > > > Jim Gordon
> > > > > Mac MVP
> > > > > Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
> > > > > http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies
> > > > >
> > > > Thanks Jim:
> > > >
> > > > Still confused though. Firstly, can't a .pot or .potx also be applied

>

 

[murman]

> > > > (e-mail address removed) wrote:
> > > > > > (e-mail address removed) wrote:
> > > > > > > Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) > > Processor:
> > > > > Intel
> > > > > > > Hi:
> > > > > > > I have a PPT that saved as 97-2004.ppt. I have a custom them > > .pot
> > > > > > > applied and the chart colors are the same as the original > > (what I
> > > > > want).

> >
> > Looks like this did't go through as a reply so am re-posting, sorry...
> >
> > Thanks Jim:
> >
> > Still confused though. Firstly, can't a .pot or .potx also be applied to
> > a ppt for color, font, master page formatting. Non the less, when I:
> >
> > Took a supplied .potx and saved it as a .thmx. Then took a supplied
> > pre-2007 ppt, opened in 2008 and applied the new .thmx. The colors on
> > the graphs, fonts, etc did not shift. When I go to edit the graphs,
> > whether by choosing to "edit existing" or "convert", the colors in the
> > graph shifts, and they appear to be colors not even in the "theme".
> >
> > Thanks for your time on this!

> > > > > > > But when I edit the charts, either converted to the new 2008
> > > > > charting or
> > > > > > > editing original, the colors change on the chart details > > (bars, lines,
> > > > > > > font colors, etc.) Any suggestions very welcomed. TIA.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hi,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > There are several ways to approach this problem. One way would > > be to
> > > > > > create a theme that has the colors you desire (Format > Theme) > > and then
> > > > > > save the Theme.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > There's a lot about how to work with themes in PowerPoint Help > > as well
> > > > > > as in the Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies book.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -Jim
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Jim Gordon
> > > > > > Mac MVP
> > > > > > Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
> > > > > > http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies
> > > > > > Hi Jim:
> > > > >
> > > > > Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't a .pot template a theme? > > In my
> > > > > original post I mentioned that "I have a PPT that saved as > > 97-2004.ppt.
> > > > > I have a custom them .pot". My .pot has custom colors in it etc. > > which
> > > > > apply correctly when I apply that template. But when I go to edit a
> > > > > graph, the custom colors go away. Most of the ppt's I get have been
> > > > > based on the custom .pot, but it seems 2008 shifts colors of ppt's
> > > > > created in previous version of Powerpoint. Thanks for your help!
> > > >
> > > > .pot is a template for versions 97 through 2004
> > > > .potx is a template for versions 2007 through 2011
> > > > .thmx is a theme for versions 2007 for 2011 (this is a new format
> > > > beginning with 2007)
> > > >
> > > > On the Mac, beginning with PowerPoint 2008 you can apply and save
> > > > themes. A theme consists of a color scheme, a font family, and (in
> > > > PowerPoint) master slides, slide layouts and formatting. Themes appear
> > > > in the Themes Elements Gallery and can be opened as PowerPoint
> > > > presentations from the Project Gallery.
> > > >
> > > > A template is a presentation that is saved so that when you open > > it, the
> > > > original is untouched and a copy is opened with a new file name.
> > > > Templates are best opened from the Project Gallery.
> > > >
> > > > -Jim
> > > > --
> > > > Jim Gordon
> > > > Mac MVP
> > > > Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
> > > > http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies
> > > >
> > > Thanks Jim:
> > >
> > > Still confused though. Firstly, can't a .pot or .potx also be applied

> > to a ppt for color, font, master page formatting. Non the less, when I:

> > >
> > > Took a supplied .potx and saved it as a .thmx. Then took a supplied

> > pre-2007 ppt, opened in

 

[Jyesha]

Hello,
I have had the same problem with editing charts that I originally saved in .ppt. I have the 2008 version on my computer but saved my presentation as .ppt and then closed the file. I opened it back up the next day and everything looked fine, the theme was intact, until I tried to edit the charts. It said that "this chart was made in an earlier version" and asked me to either "edit existing" or "convert". Either way I lost my theme formatting (colors, fonts, etc.) and I don't know what to do now.

I'm new to the program and the answer given here was a little confusing for me. What should I do? What is this business about templates, and if the 2008 themes and chart functions are new does that mean that I can't salvage this 97-2007 theme that I used in this presentation?

Thanks so much!

 

[murman]

Hello,

> I have had the same problem with editing charts that I originally saved in .ppt. I have the 2008 version on my computer but saved my presentation as .ppt and then closed the file. I opened it back up the next day and everything looked fine, the theme was intact, until I tried to edit the charts. It said that "this chart was made in an earlier version" and asked me to either "edit existing" or "convert". Either way I lost my theme formatting (colors, fonts, etc.) and I don't know what to do now.
>
> I'm new to the program and the answer given here was a little confusing for me. What should I do? What is this business about templates, and if the 2008 themes and chart functions are new does that mean that I can't salvage this 97-2007 theme that I used in this presentation?
>
> Thanks so much!

Hi:

I'm not the "Powerpoint Expert" and came here looking for similar answers. I can tell you, that based on my experience, 2008 is not backward compatible when it comes to retaining formatting of charts/graphs created in previous versions. I am buying Office 2004 for this reason. I have opened PPT's on a machine with 2004 and had no problem with charts or graphs. I don't know how you feel about this, but I think Microsoft ought to offer a FREE "upgrade" (actually a downgrade) to 2004 for this reason, as there is no solution that I have been presented (although I appreciate the kind help I have gotten in this group.) Good luck!