101 software tips, tweaks and tricks

Microsoft PowerPoint

042.

 Use the Slide Master
Rather than replicating the same thing on every page (say, a company logo), you can insert it once on the Slide Master, and it will become the default for all new slides. To access the Slide Master in PowerPoint 2003, go to View > Master > Slide Master. To return to the normal view, go to View > Normal.

In PowerPoint 2007, select the View menu, then click the Slide Master button.

Note that you'll only be able to select and edit Slide Master elements by being in the appropriate view mode.

043.

 Quick add and delete slides
If you've selected the slide view on the left-hand side, type Enter to insert a new slide, and backspace or delete to delete the currently selected slide.

044.

 View slides out of order
While viewing a slideshow, you can call up any slide out of order. Just type the number of the slide and hit Enter.

045.

 Create a photo album
You can use PowerPoint to create an impromptu photo album. In PowerPoint 2003, select Insert > Picture > New Photo Album. In PowerPoint 2007, click the Insert menu, followed by the Photo Album button. Under the Insert picture from heading, click File/Disk, select the pictures you want to include and hit Insert. Next, you can specify the look of the album you want under the Album Layout section. Finally, click Create.

046.

 Secure your presentations
Prevent others from modifying your PowerPoint file (or any Office file, for that matter) by enabling password protection. In PowerPoint 2003, select Tools > Options > Security, enter a password in the Password to modify box and hit OK. Enter the password again to confirm, and hit OK one more time, then save the document.

For PowerPoint 2007, things are a bit different. Click the Office button, then go to Save As, then click the Tools button (next to the Save button) and click on General Options. Enter your password in the Password to modify box and click OK. Enter the password again to confirm, and hit OK one more time, then save the document.

047.

 Make PowerPoint 2007 save to .ppt by default
PowerPoint 2007 uses a highly incompatible .pptx file format for saving files, making it difficult to share with friends and colleagues who don't have the same version. To change this:
  1. Click the Office button in the top left
  2. Click the PowerPoint Options button
  3. On the left-hand side, select Save
  4. Change the Save files in this format drop down box to PowerPoint Presentation 97 - 2003
  5. Click OK

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Talkback 9 comments

    Ignore "tip" #7 Dean -- 26/09/08

    I didn't bother reading them all, but "tip" #7 (turn off UAC) is totally irresponsible. DO NOT TURN OFF UAC! Demand that your vendor fix their application to work correctly with UAC.

    I am a software developer, and on a daily basis, I see maybe 1 or 2 UAC dialog prompts. For a non-developer, you should practically *never* see the UAC prompt in day-to-day activities.

    But they don't apply to my PC Anonymous -- 27/09/08

    "Our insider secrets will help you master your PC and its most important applications"

    Where are the tips and tricks for Apple and Linux users? Barely any of these 101 tips and tricks apply to MY PC or the applications I use on it.

    Craig and Luis, not everyone in the world uses a Windows PC. Most, but not all. I was more than a little disappointed not to see these facts acknowledged.

    Hamish

    Good Work Anonymous -- 29/09/08

    There's some handy tips in there. Good Stuff.

    A safer alternative to turning off UAC would be using TweakUAC and selecting silent mode.

    party Anonymous -- 29/09/08 (in reply to #320112953)

    Wuz up

    #1 tip for a windows PC Anonymous -- 29/09/08

    I suggest that the number one tip to turn your Win PC into a fast, secure, reliable and productive machine is to install any one of the Linux flavors and remove your buggy, virus ridden, DRM controlled Win partition.

    Re Anonymous -- 30/09/08 (in reply to #320112989)

    I did that. Now life is good

    Another PrintScreen Shortcut Joel Potgieter -- 03/10/08

    You can also get a printscreen of only the window that has current focus [nto the whole screen] by using ALT-PrintSCRN. Also works for dialog boxes.

    Tip 51: Outlook - get rid of the large [emails] Anonymous -- 03/10/08

    If you want to keep the email but delete its (large) attachment, Open the email then go to Edit then Edit Message. Delete the attachment and re-save the email.

    Tip 048 Lookout Anonymous -- 13/07/09

    Nice article, there are really some good tips in there!
    But with one point I am not do not really agree with you...I wouldn�´t recommend Lookout, because it is an old an undeveloped tool! I think it would make more sense to work in Outlook with an modern, supported and developed tool, for example Lookeen( www.lookeen.net)! In my opinion this search tool is the best of all!

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