PowerPoint Embedded Paths

[Dan J.]

I can't find documentation anywhere on how powerpoint links to
embedded files. For instance, if I put a video into my slideshow,
obviously it doens't write that video to the file, but rather links to
it and plays it embedded. So, when I transfer my presentation to a
laptop, I have to copy the video file over as well. Here's where it
gets weird. Sometimes it finds it, sometimes it doesn't. Obviously,
if they were both in the same folder to begin with and I copy the
folder, they work. On the other hand, if there's some folder stepping
sometimes it works and other times it doesn't. I'm trying to figure
out how to best organize faculty computers with all their lectures and
videos. This is the hang-up. Sometimes, a video gets used in two or
more presentations. so, haveing a video folder makes sense. the
problem is, when i transfer it over to the laptop, the paths have to
be the same it would seem. I don't want to always have to reembed the
images and videos, but also dno't want to store everything on two
computers. Is there an easier way?

Thanks

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Hi Dan,

The link points to the video (or sound or linked image) file by the full
path - ie Hard drive name:folder:folder:etc:filename

Generally, if you put the video/sound file in the same folder with PPT
*before* inserting it, the link will be to just the filename, no path.
(Not true of images, by the way)

When PowerPoint sees one of these "pathless" links, it looks in the current
directory for the files.
That's the kicker. What's the current directory?
On the PC, PPT sets the current directory to the directory with the PPT file
in it when you open the file, EXCEPT if you choose File, then pick one of
the entries on the Most Recently Used list. In that case, the current
directory might be anything, and so pathless links will break.

As long as you choose File, Open and browse to the file, or just doubleclick
the file's icon, PPT sets current directory correctly and pathless links
work, so long as the PPT and linked files are together.

The alternative in your case, though, might be always to create the same
folder structure on your users' computers.
If every one has the same full path to media files and you get them to put
all needed media files there, you should be good to go.
How're your cat-herding skills? ;-)

 

[Dan J.]

On the Apple, it seems to do a branching-out type search. I've even
buried the file 4 folders deep and it still found it. On the PC, it was as
you said, if anything changes, good luck. Now, you said it uses a full
path name, so, on a PC, it won't work unless your hard drive and
everything are named the same thing? Is that correct? Like I said, on
my apple, it couldn't care less where it was so long as you want to let it
search. Does all this sound right?

Thanks

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

On the Apple, it seems to do a branching-out type search. I've even
buried the file 4 folders deep and it still found it. On the PC, it was as
you said, if anything changes, good luck. Now, you said it uses a full
path name, so, on a PC, it won't work unless your hard drive and
everything are named the same thing? Is that correct?

Exactly so, though on the PC we don't get to name our hard drives. Unless
my apple, it couldn't care less where it was so long as you want to let it
search. Does all this sound right?

I've never got the tuits to try this out in X. Does it pop up a dialog box
and ask for permission to search?