How to save custom charts, shapes, lines, etc. within a theme??

[dromanell]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) Processor: Intel OK...I was able to create a theme with the color swatch and font sets that I want - but - I haven't been able to figure out a way to customize the other components in the presentation (lines, shapes, charts, callouts, etc.) as well.

I notice when browsing through the theme gallery that those elements do have a varying styles (based on their theme) than the default blue that PowerPoint uses.

Ideally, I want to provide a file that a PC-user can open, have them create a presentation, select my customized theme, and have all of the shapes and graphic elements they might wish to use match its style...and not have them use the built-in default.

Any ideas?

 

[Scott_Franks]

I am trying to figure out precisely the same thing. Haven't had any luck finding any answers, though. I'll track you down and write back if I come up with anything.

Also, if any users know that this CANNOT be done, please let us know so that we can stop looking for the solution.

Interestingly, I have read that the Windows version can save Chart Templates. And the Mac 2008 version does create a folder called "Chart Templates" during the Office install. But that folder remains empty. Seems like it would be set up for a reason, like it is the default place to save Chart Templates, just like Color Schemes and Themes have their own default folders. Yet, I cannot for the life of me figure out how to save a Chart Template. Maddening.

 

[Jim Gordon Mac MVP]

I am trying to figure out precisely the same thing. Haven't had any luck
finding any answers, though. I'll track you down and write back if I
come up with anything.

Also, if any users know that this CANNOT be done, please let us know so
that we can stop looking for the solution.

Interestingly, I have read that the Windows version can save Chart
Templates. And the Mac 2008 version does create a folder called "Chart
Templates" during the Office install. But that folder remains empty.
Seems like it would be set up for a reason, like it is the default place
to save Chart Templates, just like Color Schemes and Themes have their
own default folders. Yet, I cannot for the life of me figure out how to
save a Chart Template. Maddening.

Hi,

So that we're all on the same page vocabulary-wise regarding charts:

Chart: a graph based on a series of numbers arranged in a table that has
headers.

Excel Template: An entire Excel workbook saved using File > Save As and
choosing the type Template with an extension of .xltx

Theme: A color scheme consisting of 12 colors and font family. Themes
can be saved from the Formatting Pallette's document theme section and
have a file extension of .thmx

Chart Template: All of the formatting aspects of a chart minus the data
aspects of a chart. These are saved with the file extension .crtx

It seems to me that what you would really be able to use is a Chart
Template. As you noticed, there were plans to implement chart templates
in Office 2008. However, it didn't happen. Office 2008 does not have the
ability to create or use chart templates.

Excel 2008 can save Excel templates that can be used as chart types that
can be applied from the Elements Gallery. Follow the instructions in the
Excel help topic: "Create a sheet template for new worksheets." Then you
can distribute the Excel Template and put it into the My Templates
folder as instructed in the help topic.

-Jim

 

[Scott_Franks]

Thanks very much, Jim.

 

[dromanell]

And so....being able to customize the other components in a presentation (lines, shapes, charts, callouts, etc.), along with the color swatches and fonts, just isn't possible?

I'm very curious because I've come across themes that others have developed, and even those built-in to PowerPoint, where the elements I've mentioned DO change when you switch from one theme to another.

Is this something the general user cannot do? Is there some special coding or software required? Can only those on PCs do it?

It just seems that if I begin a new presentation and go to my gallery of themes, and then create a few shapes and lines, that..."Wow, look at that: I switched themes and the background changed, and the colors, and hmm...so did the STYLE of those shapes and lines I just created, and they match the theme!"

That really is too much to ask, huh?

 

[Iggles14]

dromanell and Scott --

I'm not an expert, so I could be misunderstanding ... but if you edit a shape to use colors from your theme, you can right-click (option-click) on the shape, then select "set default shape." Each new shape will start with the characteristics you set.

Lines and font colors should be picked up directly from the theme, but they don't show where I think they should, so I always custom my theme colors.

 

[CyberTaz]

You're not really "misunderstanding" anything -- in fact, that's a very
accurate insight -- but that setting only pertains to the document in which
it is made. It doesn't hold in other documents unless you create a template,
set the AutoShape default there, then base the new documents on that
template. Additionally, I do not believe it allows for removal of the Shadow
effect as a part of the default setting.

Unfortunately, though, even that limited capability only applies to
AutoShapes... It doesn't pertain to Charts or Smart Art Objects. And even
more unfortunately Office 2008 simply just doesn't provide for what the OP
wants to do.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac