embedded dynamic interactive menus in powerpoint presentation mode linked to Exc

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Incredulous Dreamer - 20 Sep 2007 00:04 GMT

What I'd like to do is have interactive menus within a powerpoint
presention. For instance, A question followed by a pulldown menu with 5
choices. Once the choice is made, that response is linked to a spreadsheet
file (preferred) or database. In this way by going through the various
slides and selecting the responses the spreadsheet data is populated and
saved.

OK, I realize this might be a complex request, but before I get too obsessed
with this concept I'd like comments concerning;
1) Is it possible using tools within powerpoint/Excel?;
2) What methods would be best;
3) Anyone already done something similar that I can work from?

I found a "live notes" application made by Sonia Coleman which is a step in
the right direction but doesn't have the functionality I am looking to
acquire.

Thoughts?

Thanks to all in advance!

Regards,
-Ed

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Steve Rindsberg - 20 Sep 2007 06:28 GMT

> What I'd like to do is have interactive menus within a powerpoint
> presention. For instance, A question followed by a pulldown menu with 5
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> with this concept I'd like comments concerning;
> 1) Is it possible using tools within powerpoint/Excel?;

Yes, I think so, assuming you know a fair bit of VB/VBA.

> 2) What methods would be best;

Probably inserting a dropdown list box and populating it with your answers; the
users could choose the one they want, then click a "Next" button that advances
to the next slide after grabbing the answer they picked and writing it to a
file.

> 3) Anyone already done something similar that I can work from?

Not me; I'll let the others speak for themselves. ;-)

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

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David M. Marcovitz - 20 Sep 2007 14:30 GMT

As Steve said, this is almost definitely possible, but it will take a lot
of VBA work to get it to work. I have much simpler quizzes on my site
that might point you in the right direction. However, my quizzes use
regular autoshape buttons, not pull-down menus, for answers.
Additionally, my quizzes keep track of the answers either in PowerPoint
itself or by writing to an external text file (see the More Tricks
section of my site). I believe that Shyam (http://skp.mvps.org/) has some
stuff on his site about populating combo boxes (pull-down menus). I know
that others have done some stuff to have PowerPoint communicate with
Excel, but I can't remember who off the top of my head. So, all you have
to do is pull together these three elements, and you will have what you
want.
--David

Signature

David M. Marcovitz
Microsoft PowerPoint MVP
Director of Graduate Programs in Educational Technology
Loyola College in Maryland
Author of _Powerful PowerPoint for Educators_
http://www.PowerfulPowerPoint.com/

> What I'd like to do is have interactive menus within a powerpoint
> presention. For instance, A question followed by a pulldown menu with
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Regards,
> -Ed

Reply to this Message

Steve Rindsberg - 20 Sep 2007 15:25 GMT

> As Steve said, this is almost definitely possible, but it will take a lot
> of VBA work to get it to work. I have much simpler quizzes on my site
> that might point you in the right direction. However, my quizzes use
> regular autoshape buttons, not pull-down menus, for answers.

Ah, good. It shouldn't be too difficult to change the examples to work with
listboxes. Here's some help with those:

Manipulating Listbox and Combobox controls on slides
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00439.htm

> Additionally, my quizzes keep track of the answers either in PowerPoint
> itself or by writing to an external text file (see the More Tricks
> section of my site).

If the text is written out in CSV format, Excel will happily open it.
In fact, on a normal Office install, Excel will have taken over "ownership" of
CSV files; iow, they'll get an Excel icon and will automatically open in Excel
when doubleclicked.

To write CSV each record should be a single line and each field should be
surrounded by quotes and separated by commas.

"each","field","should","look","like","this"

> I believe that Shyam (http://skp.mvps.org/) has some
> stuff on his site about populating combo boxes (pull-down menus). I know
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> want.
> --David

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

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Incredulous Dreamer - 21 Sep 2007 06:28 GMT

David and Steve,

Thank you! This points me in the right direction and more importantly,
inspires. I believe this method would be usefulfor many people.

David, it looks like I should pick up your book. It is definitely
appropriate for my task....and much more relevant.....than the text I bought
last night. :-)

Steve, thanks for the pointer to those specific examples.

It does look like if I put these elements together I can make this work. I
only wish I had more talent as I only generate code myself when I must do so
to bring a vision forward.

I will plug away at this and let you know all how it goes.

Any more comments/ thoughts are appreciated

Dr Edward L. Principe

Focused Ion Beam Applications Developer, North America

Carl Zeiss SMT Inc.

Nano Technology Systems Division

>> As Steve said, this is almost definitely possible, but it will take a lot
>> of VBA work to get it to work. I have much simpler quizzes on my site
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> PPTools: www.pptools.com
> ================================================

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Steve Rindsberg - 21 Sep 2007 15:10 GMT

> David and Steve,
>
> Thank you! This points me in the right direction and more importantly,
> inspires. I believe this method would be usefulfor many people.

You're very welcome. And if you run into specific problems along the way, post your code, let us know what the
problem is and where it occurs; we'll do what we can to help.

If you're very new to VBA, have a look here too:

How do I use VBA code in PowerPoint?
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00033.htm

> David, it looks like I should pick up your book. It is definitely
> appropriate for my task....and much more relevant.....than the text I bought
[quoted text clipped - 59 lines]
> > PPTools: www.pptools.com
> > ================================================

-----------------------------------------
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com
================================================

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