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MS Office Forum / General PowerPoint Questions / June 2006Can blank.pot be my solution?
On May 31, I had a post re: How to ALLOW ADDITION to but PREVENT DELETION from a design template? You may want to read that first. I like Echo's suggestion. Today I came across this link http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00245.htm. It sounds like blank.pot can serve my purpose. Can someone shed some light on this, please? I assume other users can use my default design template and add to it but can't really change what I have created. If a user also saves it to blank.pot, will my original default template be overwritten or can both templates exist and show up under "available for use?" I am new to PPT and am not comfortable experimenting with system/default issues right now. Appreciate any comments/advice. Epinn > On May 31, I had a post re: How to ALLOW ADDITION to but PREVENT DELETION > from a design template? You may want to read that first. I like Echo's [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > other users can use my default design template and add to it but can't really > change what I have created. I'm not sure what in that FAQ entry would have given you that idea. Let me know and I'll delete it ;-) Seriously: If I have your template file, I can easily open it and make any changes I wish (assuming that it's not protected in one of the other ways mentioned earlier). If I have a presentation (PPT file) *based* on your template, then the template is part of the PPT file. I can View, Master, Slide/Title Master and change it however I like. I can also choose File, Save As and save out a copy of your template (or my modified version of it). And later edit that further if I like. Your choice of template has no effect on the security/editability of your presentations. > If a user also saves it to blank.pot, will my > original default template be overwritten or can both templates exist and show [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Epinn ----------------------------------------- Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com PPTools: www.pptools.com ================================================ Steve, Thanks for your reply. You wrote: "I'm not sure what in that FAQ entry would have given you that idea." Let's say it is wishful thinking. I have more questions than answers now. I said I didn't want to play with the system but somehow I might have messed it up. Please help. I keyed "testing blank.pot" to the main title of one slide and then I saved it as "testing blank.pot" with design template as file type. Now, as soon as I open PowerPoint, this default slide comes up. I am really surprised because my file name is "testing blank.pot" and not "blank.pot." Now, how should I restore to what I had before. Should I overwrite "blank.pot" which I have no idea what it is now. Appreciate your advice. Epinn > > On May 31, I had a post re: How to ALLOW ADDITION to but PREVENT DELETION > > from a design template? You may want to read that first. I like Echo's [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > PPTools: www.pptools.com > ================================================ Continuation of my other reply. I deleted the file "testing blank.pot" and the slide I created still showed up a few times. Now, it has disappeared. I have no idea what was going on. If I open PPT now, my first (default) slide will be title/text layout. Can someone tell me what I should do to restore to the original PPT default i.e. title layout. Is that the default? After all this, I am totally confused about what blank.pot is. Originally, I thought it was the default design template (1st one under available for use in the design template task pane). Now I am wondering if it is the default title (main title and subtitle) slide LAYOUT. I do know that if I create a slide and save it as blank.pot with file type being design template, I'll see my slide as default as soon as I open PPT. Maybe not, because I haven't really tried it yet. Help, please. > > On May 31, I had a post re: How to ALLOW ADDITION to but PREVENT DELETION > > from a design template? You may want to read that first. I like Echo's [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > PPTools: www.pptools.com > ================================================ > If I open PPT now, my first (default) slide will be title/text layout. Can > someone tell me what I should do to restore to the original PPT default i.e. > title layout. Is that the default? Normally the first slide in a new presentation will be a title slide based on the Slide master if there's no Title Master in the template, or on the Title Master if there IS a Title Master. If your template has any slides in it already, PowerPoint uses them rather than adding a new title slide. It sounds as though that may be your problem. What version of PPT do you use? When you start it and create a new presentation, what does it say in the status bar at the bottom of the screen? It will show you the name of the template your presentation is based on. > After all this, I am totally confused about what blank.pot is. When you start PPT, it usually opens with a blank presentation. That's based either on a built-in set of defaults for blank presentations or, if you saved a template under a special name (ie, blank.pot, but it depends on the PPT version) or told PPT always to use it as your default template (in 2003 and I think 2002) then it uses that instead for new presentations. > Originally, I thought it was the default design template (1st one under > available for use in the design template task pane). Now I am wondering if [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > > PPTools: www.pptools.com > > ================================================ ----------------------------------------- Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com PPTools: www.pptools.com ================================================ Thank you very much for your response, Steve. I use V. 2003. Fortunately, I restored the system to what it was before by deleting "blank.pot" which was title/text layout. I don't know why "blank.pot" existed because I was sure that the file name I used was "testing blank.pot" and I did see it in the templates folder. Anyway, after the experiment, I have a better (may not be 100%) understanding of the behavior of "blank.pot." Your post was very helpful; it confirmed a few things that I suspected. My nervousness stemed from the impression that when I saved a template under the name "blank.pot," I actually overwrote the system default file. Now, I realize that "blank.pot" is quite similar to other templates that I download or create BUT with a little twist. Like all other templates, when "blank.pot" is created, it goes to the templates folder. If I don't want it, I can easily delete the file in the templates folder. (But, I can't delete the system's sets of defaults.) The way "blank.pot" is different from the other templates is that the system will look for and display it when PPT is invoked, whereas other template names won't have this effect. Please correct me if I am wrong. One thing I still don't understand. Why does "blank.pot" work fine when I don't set my defaults in the MASTER view? For example, when I open PPT, I see the system default i.e. title slide (click to add title, click to add subtitle). I format the background to white marble texture in the NORMAL view. Then I save the slide as "blank" with file type being design template. Close PPT. When I reopen PPT, I see the white marble background. Everything is fine even though I don't use the MASTER view. If I save the template as any name other than "blank," I must work with the MASTER view for the template to be effective. Would you please explain this to me, Steve. Ideally, I should work with the MASTER view, regardless ..... Agree? By the way, thanks for telling us about www.orgplusexpress.com via a separate thread. Epinn > > If I open PPT now, my first (default) slide will be title/text layout. Can > > someone tell me what I should do to restore to the original PPT default i.e. [quoted text clipped - 76 lines] > PPTools: www.pptools.com > ================================================ > My nervousness stemed from the impression that when I saved a template under > the name "blank.pot," I actually overwrote the system default file. That's understandable. But actually there isn't any system default file. Blank.pot is, in a sense, built into PPT, but if PPT *sees* an external Blank template file, it uses that instead of its built-in info. Now, I > realize that "blank.pot" is quite similar to other templates that I download > or create BUT with a little twist. Like all other templates, when > "blank.pot" is created, it goes to the templates folder. If I don't want it, > I can easily delete the file in the templates folder. (But, I can't delete > the system's sets of defaults.) Right, but if you want to change the defaults, you can create a blank template under the correct name with your own desired defaults. PPT will use YOUR blank template instead of its own internal one. >The way "blank.pot" is different from the > other templates is that the system will look for and display it when PPT is > invoked, whereas other template names won't have this effect. Please correct > me if I am wrong. Nothing to correct ... you've got it. > One thing I still don't understand. Why does "blank.pot" work fine when I > don't set my defaults in the MASTER view? For example, when I open PPT, I [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Close PPT. When I reopen PPT, I see the white marble background. > Everything is fine even though I don't use the MASTER view. If PPT starts up and finds a custom blank template, it uses it to start the new blank presentation that it always opens at startup. But templates can have slides in them and if they do, PPT includes the slides in any new presentation it creates BASED on that template. That's probably what you're seeing. >If I save the > template as any name other than "blank," I must work with the MASTER view for > the template to be effective. Would you please explain this to me, Steve. > Ideally, I should work with the MASTER view, regardless ..... Agree? It depends on what you're after. Other templates will behave the same way as above when you base presentations on them. When you format an individual slide, your formatting choices will only affect that slide (and any copies of it made when you start a new presentation based on the template that contains the slide). When you format the MASTER it affects any slides you add to the presentation later. In general, you want to format the master(s). > By the way, thanks for telling us about www.orgplusexpress.com via a > separate thread. [quoted text clipped - 81 lines] > > PPTools: www.pptools.com > > ================================================ ----------------------------------------- Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com PPTools: www.pptools.com ================================================ Steve, thank you so much for a good lesson on blank.pot. Don't know what to do without your guidance. I am beginning to understand and feel more comfortable about blank.pot. It is "tricky" (as the article described it) that it is an EXTERNAL set of defaults which is SEPARATE from the system's built-in defaults. You wrote: "If PPT starts up and finds a custom blank template, it uses it to start the new blank presentation that it always opens at startup. But templates can have slides in them and if they do, PPT includes the slides in any new presentation it creates BASED on that template. That's probably what you're seeing." After experimenting some more, I think I can understand what you described. Case (A) Previously, in NORMAL view, I formatted the title slide with white marble background, keyed in "marble" as main title and saved it as blank.pot. When I invoked PPT, I got the title "marble" and the marble background. Case (B) Today, I went to MASTER view, and formatted the background to white marble, keyed in "marble" as main title and saved it as blank.pot. When I reopened PPT, I only saw the marble background and not the title "marble" in NORMAL view. So, this proves the fact that what I saw previously was a SLIDE of the template. Thank you for telling me that templates can have slides in them and will be included...... But I feel that this is only true when I name the template "blank.pot." If under case (A), I saved the template as any name other than "blank.pot," nothing described above happened. When I tried to apply the new template, all I got was the system default. This is because I didn't do it in master view. Also, the slide I created wasn't picked up. But blank.pot didn't care if I was in the master view and it just picked up the slide I created. I just look at blank.pot as a "reserved" name with special built-ins and it behaves differently from any other templates that I create. Please feel free to tell me if I have missed something. The above experiment brings another question - why aren't changes made to the title placeholder in master view part of the template. Since this is not limited to blank.pot, I think I'll start a new thread. Okay, one problem down. Still confused about a separte thread (6/17) "Confused about format background ......" I don't understand why formatting background to black and applying a downloaded template with a black background and a vase of yellow flower gave me a plain slide of neon yellow. Once again, thanks for eveything and I should give you a break now. Much appreciated. I always learn more when I experiment with the help of experts. Epinn > > My nervousness stemed from the impression that when I saved a template under > > the name "blank.pot," I actually overwrote the system default file. [quoted text clipped - 138 lines] > PPTools: www.pptools.com > ================================================ > You wrote: "If PPT starts up and finds a custom blank template, it uses it > to start the new blank presentation that it always opens at startup. But [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > other than "blank.pot," nothing described above happened. When I tried to > apply the new template, all I got was the system default. Ah, there's another difference. When you create a new presentation based on a template, the new presentation includes any slides that were in the template file. When you APPLY a template to an existing presentation, you apply the template's formatting but you don't get any of the contents (like slides, macros and such). This is true of all templates, not just blank.pot Steve, You wrote: "When you create a new presentation based on a template, the new presentation includes any slides that were in the template file. When you APPLY a template to an existing presentation, you apply the template's formatting but you don't get any of the contents (like slides, macros and such). This is true of all templates, not just blank.pot" I heard you. But the scenario I described in my previous post was for a NEW PRESENTATION even though I used the word "apply." I opened PPT, got the system default i.e. title slide. Then I went to the design task pane and scrolled to the very bottom and clicked browse. Then I clicked the new template that I created. This was what I meant by "apply." The slide that was in that template file was NOT displayed. Now, I am confused and I know I probably miss something. I can go on an on. If you want a break, I can understand. You have been more than helpful. Of course, your comments are always welcome. > > You wrote: "If PPT starts up and finds a custom blank template, it uses it > > to start the new blank presentation that it always opens at startup. But [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > This is true of all templates, not just blank.pot > I heard you. But the scenario I described in my previous post was for a NEW > PRESENTATION even though I used the word "apply." I opened PPT, got the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > was in that template file was NOT displayed. Now, I am confused and I know I > probably miss something. When you did that, PPT APPLIED the template you chose to the existing open presentation. So "apply" was the correct word after all. ;-) To include the slides in a template when starting a new presentation, choose File, New then click "On My Computer" and choose your template. A rather obtuse interface, you say? No argument from me. ;-) > I can go on an on. If you want a break, I can understand. You have been > more than helpful. Of course, your comments are always welcome. [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > > > This is true of all templates, not just blank.pot ----------------------------------------- Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com PPTools: www.pptools.com ================================================ WOW!! I never used that route (i.e. on my computer...). In the past, I created a slide and saved it as template. Then, I went the "apply" route and couldn't understand why my template/slide didn't show. Then, I began to have this impression that I MUST always do my desgin using the master view and save it as a template. Now, I am all clear and I even understand one of your previous posts much better. Steve, I can't thank you enough. You are amazing; you even solve my chronic puzzle. I have learned so much. I am glad that I am detailed and always try to get to the bottom of things. It takes two to tango though. Without your knowledge, patience and giving spirit, I will not have discovered so much. Will rate all your replies helpful after you have read this. Thank you! Thank you!! THANK YOU!!! CASE CLOSED! Epinn > > I heard you. But the scenario I described in my previous post was for a NEW > > PRESENTATION even though I used the word "apply." I opened PPT, got the [quoted text clipped - 60 lines] > PPTools: www.pptools.com > ================================================ Glad I could help. > WOW!! I never used that route (i.e. on my computer...). In the past, I > created a slide and saved it as template. Then, I went the "apply" route and [quoted text clipped - 82 lines] > > PPTools: www.pptools.com > > ================================================ ----------------------------------------- Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com PPTools: www.pptools.com ================================================ Continuation of previous reply. Steve, I retested and restested and I still came to the impression that only slide(s) from blank.pot would be included in a blank (new) presentation. I don't know what I have missed. This is what I did. Please note that I don't use master view for this experiment. I open PPT, get the system default i.e. title slide. I type "This is a slide." to the main title placeholder and I type "Yes, a slide." to the subtitle placeholder. Then I save the file as "blank" with desgin template being file type. This is blank.pot. I close PPT. I reopen PPT and I get my slide with "This is a slide." and "Yes, a slide." Now, I delete blank.pot and close PPT. I then open PPT and get the system default i.e. title slide. I type "This is a slide." to the main title placeholder and I type "Yes, a slide." to the subtitle placeholder - exactly the same as above. But this time, I save the file as "testing" with design template being file type. I close PPT. I reopen PPT, get the system default and then I go to design task pane and scroll to the bottom. I click browse and find "testing" in the templates folder. I select it and can see the words "This is a slide......" on the preview area. Then I click "apply" button, I see no text i.e. I don't get that slide. This is very different from the effects of blank.pot. So, this is why I feel that slide(s) from a template are only included for a new presentation if the template is blank.pot. Do you get the same thing, when you do the above? Epinn > > You wrote: "If PPT starts up and finds a custom blank template, it uses it > > to start the new blank presentation that it always opens at startup. But [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > This is true of all templates, not just blank.pot
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