sizes not displayed in "format" boxes

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CR Optiker - 16 Aug 2006 19:29 GMT

When I open a format image or format whatever dialog box, the current size
used to be shown. Something has changed and it no longer is shown, so I
don't know the current dimensions, except from ruler bars (not precise
enough). Any suggestions of how I might correct this, or do I need to
reinstall?

PowerPoint 2003 (11.8024.8036) SP2

Thanks!
Optiker

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Echo S - 17 Aug 2006 19:23 GMT

I know this happens, because it happens to me. I don't know what causes it
or what the difference is between an object that shows dimensions and one
that doesn't. (Whenever I notice it, I'm always in the middle of something
else...)

What I do is hit the Reset button or type 100% into the size percentage box
and start from there. I know that's not ideal, and it may not really do what
you need, but it usually gets me where I need to go.

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> When I open a format image or format whatever dialog box, the current size
> used to be shown. Something has changed and it no longer is shown, so I
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks!
> Optiker

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CR Optiker - 17 Aug 2006 21:16 GMT

> I know this happens, because it happens to me. I don't know what causes it
> or what the difference is between an object that shows dimensions and one
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> and start from there. I know that's not ideal, and it may not really do what
> you need, but it usually gets me where I need to go.

Sure enough, that resets it to its original size. Unfortunately, I still
don't get the information on what the size was.

My problem is that I often insert multiple images on one slide. When I
bring in a new one, it comes in at one size and I want to adjust it to the
same size of others on the slide, but if the current dimensions aren't
shown, the best I can do is drag it over the earlier one and drag to
eyeball it to the same size. I'd much rather check the size of an earlier
image, then format the new one, entering one of the dimension to match the
earlier one.

There seem to be other irregularities with the installation, so I'm
beginning to think something has become corrupted, so I'm leaning towards a
reinstall.

Thanks for the reply.
Optiker

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Echo S - 17 Aug 2006 21:40 GMT

> Sure enough, that resets it to its original size. Unfortunately, I still
> don't get the information on what the size was.

I hear you. I wish I knew why.

> My problem is that I often insert multiple images on one slide. When I
> bring in a new one, it comes in at one size and I want to adjust it to the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> image, then format the new one, entering one of the dimension to match the
> earlier one.

How are you inserting the images? What kind of images are they? I'm
wondering if we can pinpoint the cause, which would probably help us figure
out a workaround.

I wonder if the size information is missing from the images themselves --
the file headers or such -- so PPT doesn't have anything to display. Or
something like that. (I'm really just babbling aloud here, but if you have
information on the provenance of the images, that might help.)

> There seem to be other irregularities with the installation, so I'm
> beginning to think something has become corrupted, so I'm leaning towards
> a
> reinstall.

You might try Help|Detect and Repair. Usually that's as good as a reinstall.

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CR Optiker - 17 Aug 2006 23:37 GMT

> How are you inserting the images? What kind of images are they? I'm
> wondering if we can pinpoint the cause, which would probably help us figure
> out a workaround.

Various images, but usually just JPEGs - often screen captures which have
also worked fine in the past. I've been doing this for a long time, and
never any problem before a week or so ago. I'm sure it's not the images
because in fact, I've also used images I've used before this started
happening - they displayed sizes then, but not now.

Thanks for the reply, but I guess I'll bite the bullet and reinstall.

Opitker

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Echo S - 18 Aug 2006 00:54 GMT

> never any problem before a week or so ago. I'm sure it's not the images
> because in fact, I've also used images I've used before this started
> happening - they displayed sizes then, but not now.

In that case, I'd start looking at recently installed or updated software,
including add-ins, utilities, separate software, and video drivers.

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