Pick up Object Styles not working

[almacrae]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel

The "eyedropper" tool that picks up text or object styles no longer works - I can pick up styles until the cows go home but the apply styles eyedropper remains disabled. This is probably the most used feature in PowerPoint for me (after "Open File"), it's practically crippled without it. What gives?

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Al -

Boy, did I have to do some research via the WayBack Machine & more than a
little help from my friends on this one I had forgotten all about that
antique which is apparently still in the custom commands list but hasn't
actually been revived... But you have a comparable tool already on the
Standard Toolbar, so you can remove the ol' eyedropper.

Use the Format Painter instead - it's along side the Cut/Copy/Paste buttons
& looks like a paint brush. Select something, click the FP, then click
something else to apply the first object's formatting... Or select text &
use it to reformat other text. If you want to use it repeatedly,
double-click it after selecting whatever it is whose formatting you want to
copy. It will remain selected for as long as you wish until you either click
it again or select a different command.

That's just one of several nifty options: For example, format the shape then
drag it into the Scrapbook pane of the ToolBox. The next time you want one
don't even bother to draw it - just drag it from the Scrapbook into the
slide to create a duplicate. Even if you just want the formatting to be the
same but you want a different shape use the Change Shape commands from the
Draw button on the Drawing Toolbar.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[almacrae]

well my first response would be that typically I am using the eyedropper to apply formatting on several slides - the paintbrush in the past has been pretty much useless - who would have thought double-clicking it would "lock" the format?
anyhow the paint brush does work as you describe, though I have to wonder why MS would leave in the eyedroppers if they don't work any more.
Thanks for your help
a

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

well my first response would be that typically I am using the eyedropper to

apply formatting on several slides - the paintbrush in the past has been pretty
much useless - who would have thought double-clicking it would "lock" the format?

FWIW, several of the drawing tools work this way as well.

If you want draw a couple of, say, rectangles, doubleclick the tool.
You can then draw rectanges w/o having to go back to the toolbox each time.
Click any other tool or press ESC when you've et all the rectangles you've an
appetite for.


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

 

[CyberTaz]

Hello Again, Al -

The Format Painter has always worked that way since it was introduced quite
a few versions back and - no sarcasm intended - the double-click option is
fully described in Help of each program that includes the feature

As for the removal of the old stuff... My preferred thought is that MacBU
had their hands quite full trying to get things *in* & making them work as
best they could under some very serious constraints without spending time
weeding out some of the remnants of days gone by - especially those which
have no potential to cause any harm or interfere with other features. For
those who miss it, well, we try to fill the gap here as best we can
However, it didn't work in 2004 either & possibly not even in Office X, so
the truth is probably more like it's just been overlooked & forgotten

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac