PowerPoint 2007-10 offers many new graphic features, including SmartArt (preformatted shapes in various configurations with editable text) and sophisticated special effects that can be applied to shapes and text. The special effects include reflections, shadows, glows, bevels and soft edges that previously only could be done with Photoshop or other photo-editing software. Here’s what happens [...]

Like many of you, we’ve run across a number of problems when moving files back and forth between PowerPoint 97-2003 and PowerPoint 2007-10. One of the most obvious issues concerns changes to the templates and master slides. Here, we’ll take a look at what kind of changes to expect and how to deal with them. [...]

A number of PowerPoint users have moved on to PowerPoint 2007 (or 2010 Beta), but many still work with PowerPoint 97-2003 or move files back and forth between versions. If you plan to work with both versions, you should install the free Office Compatibility Pack at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads. The Compatibility Pack enforces compatibility between Office 2003 [...]

Many PowerPoint presentations are formatted at the default 4:3 aspect ratio, which is the display size used by older TV screens and projectors. Widescreen shows, with a 16:9 aspect ratio, are becoming more and more common. Keynote conferences and other high-end events will likely be displayed in widescreen environments. For smaller venues, widescreen HD-capable DLP chip projectors are now very [...]

Prior to PowerPoint 2003, when you copied and pasted text into a new location, the pasted text retained the formatting of the original text. In PowerPoint 2003, however, pasted text automatically takes on default text formatting, which is not necessarily what you’re looking for. There is no way to turn off this feature and therein lies [...]

Bluewave performed general tests for PowerPoint version compatibility on both Mac and PC platforms. Here’s what we learned:   Opening PC PowerPoint 2003 files in Mac PowerPoint 2004 or 2008 Fonts can be a problem. While easily fixed, it’s best to check each slide carefully. PowerPoint gradients become separate lines of color instead of a solid [...]

Here is another quick fix for PowerPoint files that may have grown too large and sluggish due to all the snazzy imported images and graphics. The change in file size can be dramatic, depending on the images. Right-click any picture in your presentation and select Format picture from the drop-down menu. Under the Picture tab, [...]

So. You’ve created a megawatt, massive presentation in PowerPoint 2003 and find it’s grown just a tad too big now that the impressive grahics and Flash files are embedded. There are a number of steps you can take to reduce file size in PowerPoint 2003. First, try this quick fix: On the Tools menu, select Options  [...]

Want to speed up your work? You know how you work and what tools you use. One of the best tips Bluewave can give you is this: create your own customized toolbar containing just those tools you use the most. You’ll no longer need to search through all the menus or struggle to remember which tool does [...]

You’ve developed your ideas, created a great storyboard, chosen photos, charts and graphics to illustrate your message. What pulls it all together? Color. Color communicates, motivates, and persuades. Color emphasizes and hightlights information. Color helps carry a company’s identity. You’ll achieve more professional and sophisticated presentations if you follow a carefully chosen palette of colors. [...]