Opening a Presentation Stored Online

[maddog5046]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

In the PC version of powerpoint I was able in enter the URL address and open my presentations that were stored online. There is no area when I attempt to open a presentation where I can enter the URL. Is this still possible with the Mac version?

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

In the PC version of powerpoint I was able in enter the URL address and open my presentations that were stored online. There is no area when I attempt to open a presentation where I can enter the URL. Is this still possible with the Mac version?

Hi,

In PowerPoint 2008 you are limited to files accessible via the operating
system in Office 2008. Due to a lack of VBA in Office 2008, the Follow
Hyperlink method is not available.

Until the next major update to Office for Mac comes around (which will
restore VBA), use a web browser to download the presentation from the
URL, and then open it in PowerPoint.

-Jim

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

presentations that were stored online. There is no area when I attempt to open a
presentation where I can enter the URL. Is this still possible with the Mac version?

Hi,

In PowerPoint 2008 you are limited to files accessible via the operating
system in Office 2008. Due to a lack of VBA in Office 2008, the Follow
Hyperlink method is not available.

I think maddog's referring to the fact that in the Windows file open dialog boxes,
you can either browse to the file you want OR type in the full path to the file. If
you type in a URL to a PPT file, PPT will still open the file.

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

presentations that were stored online. There is no area when I attempt to open a
presentation where I can enter the URL. Is this still possible with the Mac version?

I think maddog's referring to the fact that in the Windows file open dialog boxes,
you can either browse to the file you want OR type in the full path to the file. If
you type in a URL to a PPT file, PPT will still open the file.

Hi,

Steve is correct about the operating system being able to open a
hyperlink location directly. Microsoft made a big deal about Internet
Explorer being part of the Windows operating system, and being able to
open hyperlinks from Windows File Open is a resulting feature.

In versions of PowerPoint that have VBA on the Mac you can use the
Follow Hyperlink method to access a web page via a userform add-in that
you can have as a menu item on the File menu. That's what I would have
recommended, but 2008 has no VBA, hence my suggestion to wait till the
next release.

-Jim

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Hi,

Steve is correct about the operating system being able to open a
hyperlink location directly. Microsoft made a big deal about Internet
Explorer being part of the Windows operating system, and being able to
open hyperlinks from Windows File Open is a resulting feature.

In versions of PowerPoint that have VBA on the Mac you can use the
Follow Hyperlink method to access a web page via a userform add-in that
you can have as a menu item on the File menu. That's what I would have
recommended, but 2008 has no VBA, hence my suggestion to wait till the
next release.

Applescript, perhaps?

As I understand it, we're not talking about following a hyperlink but instead opening a PPT
file. For example, in VBA, you'd do this:

Presentations.Open "http://www.rdpslides.com/ftpsave.ppt"

(the file's actually there at that URL in case you want to test)

 

[maddog5046]

Applescript, perhaps?

As I understand it, we're not talking about following a hyperlink but instead opening a PPT
file. For example, in VBA, you'd do this:

Presentations.Open "http://www.rdpslides.com/ftpsave.ppt <http://www.rdpslides.com/ftpsave.ppt>"

(the file's actually there at that URL in case you want to test)

This is Precisely what I am trying to do! How might I accomplish this with apple script?

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

I

This is Precisely what I am trying to do! How might I accomplish this with apple script?

Someone more familiar with Applescript will have to come up with the answer to that one.

But I also suspect that you wouldn't be able to embed the Applescript solution inside the
presentation as you would with VBA. That may or may not be important to what you're trying to do.

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

I

Someone more familiar with Applescript will have to come up with the answer to that one.

But I also suspect that you wouldn't be able to embed the Applescript solution inside the
presentation as you would with VBA. That may or may not be important to what you're trying to do.

Hi Steve,

Applescript does not offer the Follow Hyperlink method for PowerPoint.

-Jim

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Hi Steve,

Applescript does not offer the Follow Hyperlink method for PowerPoint.

But that's not relevant, Jim.

See the quote above. He's not trying to follow a hyperlink, just to open a file.
Surely Applescript allows for that?

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

But that's not relevant, Jim.

See the quote above. He's not trying to follow a hyperlink, just to open a file.
Surely Applescript allows for that?

The original question is about opening a file that is located on line
using a URL, not opening a file on a local volume or a mounted volume.
Mac OS does not allow using URLs from the web as file locations, so
what's needed is a web browser or a script of some sort to accomplish
the task.

-Jim

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

The original question is about opening a file that is located on line
using a URL, not opening a file on a local volume or a mounted volume.
Mac OS does not allow using URLs from the web as file locations, so
what's needed is a web browser or a script of some sort to accomplish
the task.

Ah, what a pity. Just tested this, VBA, older PPT/Mac version and it
seems to be the case.

Some day I hope MS gets Mac PPT caught up with the PC version.
And vice versa. ;-)

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Ah, what a pity. Just tested this, VBA, older PPT/Mac version and it
seems to be the case.

Some day I hope MS gets Mac PPT caught up with the PC version.
And vice versa. ;-)

The next big release of Office for Mac will include Visual Basic for
Applications. It's unlikely that Active-X will be ported to the Mac.
There doesn't seem to be enough open source advocates champion a
conversion project. I doubt the PC side will ever have Gaussian blur and
other special effects that come standard on the Mac.

-Jim

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

The next big release of Office for Mac will include Visual Basic for
Applications. It's unlikely that Active-X will be ported to the Mac.
There doesn't seem to be enough open source advocates champion a
conversion project. I doubt the PC side will ever have Gaussian blur and
other special effects that come standard on the Mac.

Shoot, Jim. The Windows version has had Gaussian blur since PPT97. It
blurs the h*** out of every picture you insert. What we've been crying for
is the ability to turn it OFF. ;-)

But if you've got a sum to invest, I'd be happy to engage in a bit of off-
track betting on the subject of special image effects and whether the PC
side will ever have them.

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Shoot, Jim. The Windows version has had Gaussian blur since PPT97. It
blurs the h*** out of every picture you insert. What we've been crying for
is the ability to turn it OFF. ;-)

But if you've got a sum to invest, I'd be happy to engage in a bit of off-
track betting on the subject of special image effects and whether the PC
side will ever have them.

Ever is a long time. Let's stick with the 2011 time frame. That I can
deal with. LOL.

BTW, should we be hyping PowerPoint Live about now?

-Jim

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Ever is a long time. Let's stick with the 2011 time frame. That I can
deal with. LOL.

I'll see your 2011 and unraise you one. 2010. ;-)

BTW, should we be hyping PowerPoint Live about now?

Good question. Yes!

It's in Atlanta Georgia this year (Buckhead, actually) with registration and
"boot camp" sessions on Sunday 11 October and the main event running from Monday
to Weds.

More info, schedules, etc at

http://www.betterppt.com/powerpoint_live/

www.pptlive.com redirects there and is easier to remember.

There was a special deal, bring a buddy for only $150; that was good through the
end of August, but might still be available if you ask real nice ...

http://www.betterppt.com/powerpoint_live/buddies.htm

To be fair, it's mostly a Windows PPT oriented event, but there's always a
contingent of Mac users there as well. Even if Windows bites, we don't. <g>

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Good question. Yes!

It's in Atlanta Georgia this year (Buckhead, actually) with registration and
"boot camp" sessions on Sunday 11 October and the main event running from Monday
to Weds.

More info, schedules, etc at

http://www.betterppt.com/powerpoint_live/

www.pptlive.com redirects there and is easier to remember.

There was a special deal, bring a buddy for only $150; that was good through the
end of August, but might still be available if you ask real nice ...

http://www.betterppt.com/powerpoint_live/buddies.htm

To be fair, it's mostly a Windows PPT oriented event, but there's always a
contingent of Mac users there as well. Even if Windows bites, we don't. <g>

Geetesh is one of the major sponsors, I think. I'll be there. We'll be
talking about our new book, among other things.

-Jim

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Geetesh is one of the major sponsors, I think. I'll be there. We'll be
talking about our new book, among other things.

He has been for the past few years. Delighted to hear you'll be there too ... bring
your laptop by the Help Center and we'll dragoon you onto the staff. ;-)