Returning from linked show to a specific slide

[Jonesey]

I am using PPT 2003 to design a kiosk presentation with one main navigation
show and several dozen linked shows. I'd like to have buttons to (general
help and broad navigation) that close the sub-show and return to a specific
slide on the main show, but not the slide where I left off.

(Actually, if it's possible, it would be nice to have the option of
returning to the sub-show where I left off after I'm through on the main
show.)

I'd also like to have a product that's compatible with PPT Viewer 2003.

Is some of this possible, and if so could someone give me some help please?
I've searched this board and the FAQ but haven't found anything specifically
addressing this yet.

If I can't find an answer, I'd either have to copy the target slides
(general help and broad navigation) to each sub-show, or create a single
presentation. This could involve about 300-400 slides with probably about as
many internal links. There are also a few hundred images.

Thanks for your attention.

 

[Sandy]

Insert your video on a separate slide. Create a Custom Show out of this slide
(Slide Show > Custom Show). Set the slide transition to automatically advance.

Then on the slide where you create your action button, link a button to the
new custom show. Select Show and Return.

 

[Jonesey]

Thanks, I tried doing what you suggested but I couldn't make progress. It
seems like the show from which I want to initiate this (the secondary show)
could not run a custom show that resides in the main show.

I did discover the bookmark feature which may help me to land on a
particular slide when I return to the main show. The problem is, I want to be
able to close the secondary show, so that I don't start accumulating open
instances of the PPT viewer running. As indicated there may be several dozen
separate shows, but I'd like to have a maximum of two shows running - the
main show and a given secondary show.

You mentioned "video". Perhaps it's your terminology for show or slides, but
I don't have any video per se, just a main show of a navigational/explanatory
nature and secondary shows covering all the individual cases. At times I want
to be able use buttons to exit the secondary show and return to a particular
spot on the main show. An even better alternative: after viewing the main
show help, I would like to return to the secondary show where I left off.

What am I missing here?

 

[Jonesey]

Anyone else have some help...I'm stumped.

 

[Jonesey]

UPDATE: Here are the options I have, none of which are ideal

1. I found code that when modified will allow me to exit the secondary show
and go to a specific slide in the main program:

discussed...
http://www.accessforums.net/ftopic18077.html

posted...
http://officeone.mvps.org/vba/launch_slide_show_from_slide.html

I modified the posted code to end current show:

Sub Test()
SlideShowWindows(1).View.Exit
LaunchSlideShowFromSlide ActivePresentation, 2
End Sub

However, I cannot use macros if I hope to allow user of PPT Viewer 2003. The
linked method described in the URL below (and hinted at by Sandy above)
doesn't work with my PPT Viewer either:

http://www.awesomebackgrounds.com/powerpointlinking.htm

2. I could associate the button in the secondary show with a hyperlink to go
to a particular slide in the main show, but this will not close the secondary
show. Problem is this could leave extra shows open; I'd prefer to have just
the main show and one secondary show open.

3. I could have the button just end the secondary show, returning to where I
left off in the main show. This is my best option, but it means disabling a
couple "universal interface" buttons I wished to have on the secondary show -
to match buttons I have in the main show to navigational help. Also it means
the user has to launch the secondary show again from a complex map and start
from the beginning of that show.

Does anyone see any other options? Thanks in advance - if I don't see a
response I may be forced to post again as a new thread.