Powerpoint 2000: Path of picture inserted as link to file

[Mister.Fred.Ma]

I'm running Office 2000 on Windows 2000. In Powerpoint, I insert a
PNG graphics file as a link using Insert->Picture->FromFile, then
click Link-to-file. The inserted picture is in fact a link because it
shows a place-holder icon when the external PNG file is unavailable.
However, there is no other indication that the picture is a link. One
would expect right-click to pop up a context menu form which
Properties could be chosen, but nothing in the context menu indicates
that the picture is a link. Double-clicking the picture doesn't do
anything. In addition to being able to tell whether a picture is a
link, ideally, I'd like to find the path of the source file for the
link. Is there a way to do this?

I tried a different way of linking in external pictures. From the
explorer window, I right-click on the PNG picture file and select
copy. Then, within the Powerpoint slide, I do Edit->PasteSpecial,
choose PasteLink, and select the only option that makes sense,
"Microsoft Photo Editor 3.0 Photo Object". Right-clicking on the
resulting picture *does* give indication that it is a link. However,
getting the external file path is arduously round-about. One as to
open the source file from the link, then go through the motions of
Save-As to get the file path (without actually committing to saving
the file). A more direct way is desparately welcome.

Thanks for any suggestions on this.

 

[TAJ Simmons]

Mister Fred

today is your lucky day....

Show me the link and let me edit it
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00433.htm

One would expect right-click to pop up a context menu form which
Properties could be chosen,

PS. I too do find it amazing that you cannot just 'do this' in powerpoint

Cheers
TAJ Simmons
microsoft powerpoint mvp

awesome - powerpoint backgrounds,
http://www.awesomebackgrounds.com
free powerpoint templates, tutorials, hints, tips and more...

 

[John Wilson]

This vba should do it for you

Sub linking()
On Error GoTo errhandler
With ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange
If .Type = 11 Then
MsgBox "This is a linked picture, path " & .LinkFormat.SourceFullName
Else: MsgBox "This is NOT a linked picture"
End If
End With
Exit Sub
errhandler:
MsgBox "Is something selected?"
End Sub

If you are not sure how to use it there's a tutorial on PowerPoint Alchemy

 

[Mister.Fred.Ma]

On Mar 20, 3:08 pm, "TAJ Simmons"

today is your lucky day....

Show me the link and let me edit ithttp://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00433.htm


PS. I too do find it amazing that you cannot just 'do this' in powerpoint

Cheers
TAJ Simmons
microsoft powerpoint mvp

Wow. Thanks, TAJ. I was unnerved by the script, since it is
completely outside my experience. But a colleague showed me the
mechanics of setting up the code. Works like a wonder. Thanks again!

Fred

 

[Mister.Fred.Ma]

This vba should do it for you

Sub linking()
On Error GoTo errhandler
With ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange
If .Type = 11 Then
MsgBox "This is a linked picture, path " & .LinkFormat.SourceFullName
Else: MsgBox "This is NOT a linked picture"
End If
End With
Exit Sub
errhandler:
MsgBox "Is something selected?"
End Sub

If you are not sure how to use it there's a tutorial on PowerPoint Alchemy

Thanks, John! These macros are like magic to a non-windows person. A
colleague showed me how to set them up for use, but your reference to
PowerPoint Alchemy should come in handy when I want to peer under the
hood myself!

Fred

 

[Mister.Fred.Ma]

http://www.pptools.com/fixlinks/

The free demo there will give you a list of the OLE and image links in your
presentation, including the path to the source files.

OLE linking to images may not be the most efficient way to go, depending on
your objectives. It can create rather porked up files, for example.

You can also do Insert, Picture, From File, browse to the file you want, click
the downarrow next to Insert and chose Link To File.

These links are about as likely to go bad as the other type, but the free
FixLinks demo will make them pathless, so that as long as the images and PPT
stay in the same folder, all will be well.

Thanks, Steve. At the moment, all I want to do is establish what the
path is of a linked file. But the functionality described looks
interesting for potential future use.

Fred