- Do not use an animated .gif, but a movie format (.wmv, .mpg, etc.).
- Place and position movie on the master slide (note: no content will be
able to be put on top of movie, even on non-master slides).
- In custom animation settings set to 'stop playing after' 99 slides (or any
number that is appropriate).
- Done.
Note: You are now using a linked movie, so it must be included with the
PowerPoint presentation (eg. it is not embedded in the presentation). Check
here for an overview of how PPT plays movies:
http://www.tlccreative.com/images/tutorials/movies.htm

Signature
Troy Chollar
TLC Creative Services, Inc.
troy at tlccreative dot com
www.tlccreative.com
-----------------------------------------
A Microsoft PowerPoint MVP
Host of www.ThePowerPointBlog.com
-----------------------------------------
> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Many thanks
bizshows@googlemail.com - 01 Feb 2007 17:21 GMT
Excellent - lateral thinking. Many thanks.