Powerpoint 2003

[eckythump]

I have just discovered the powerfull capabilities of PP 2003 when developing an animated training package. Unfortunately there are many objects on each page and it is very difficult to select certain items that are at the back of all the images. Is it possible to introduce a 'Hide' function that will enable you to work on specific objects on a slide?

 

[Shyam Pillai]

No built in mechanism is available to 'hide' shapes as you work on it. You
can tab your way thru each shape on the slide even the ones hidden behind
other shapes. This free add-in - Shape console
http://www.mvps.org/skp/sconsole.htm will create a miniature resizable
window within PowerPoint which will show exactly what is selected even if it
is behind other shapes.

 

[John Langhans [MSFT]]

[CRITICAL UPDATE - Anyone using Office 2003 should install the critical
update as soon as possible. From PowerPoint, choose "Help -> Check for
Updates".]
[TOP ISSUE - Are you having difficulty opening presentations in PowerPoint
that you just created (you can save, but not open)? -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=329820]

Hello,

You can use the built in functionality of the "Select Multiple Objects"
tool to help you select objects that are hidden behind others (or see which
hidden objects are currently selected), but there's no way to selectively
hide/display items while editing your prsentation. The Select Multiple
Objects tool can be added to the Drawing menu using the Tools -> Customize
dialog.

If you (or anyone else reading this message) think that it's important that
PowerPoint provide this kind of functionality natively (not requiring
add-ins or ActiveX controls), don't forget to send your feedback (in YOUR
OWN WORDS, please) to Microsoft by either:

A) If you are using Microsoft's web-based, online newsreader for Office
communities (http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx),
click on the "New" drop-down menu and choose "Suggestion for Microsoft"
from directly within the newsreader web page.

OR,

B) If you are using another newsreader (such as Microsoft Outlook Express),
submit your suggestion using your web browser at the following address:
http://register.microsoft.com/mswish/suggestion.asp

It's VERY important that, for EACH wish, you describe in detail, WHY it is
important TO YOU that your product suggestion be implemented. A good wish
submssion includes WHAT scenario, work-flow, or end-result is blocked by
not having a specific feature, HOW MUCH time and effort ($$$) is spent
working around a specific limitation of the current product, etc. Remember
that Microsoft receives THOUSANDS of product suggestions every day and we
read each one but, in any given product development cycle, there are ONLY
sufficient resources to address the ones that are MOST IMPORTANT to our
customers so take the extra time to state your case as CLEARLY and
COMPLETELY as possible so that we can FEEL YOUR PAIN.

IMPORTANT: Each submission should be a single suggestion (not a list of
suggestions).

John Langhans
Microsoft Corporation
Supportability Program Manager
Microsoft Office PowerPoint for Windows
Microsoft Office Picture Manager for Windows

For FAQ's, highlights and top issues, visit the Microsoft PowerPoint
support center at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=ppt
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
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[gchutrau]

You can customize one of your toolbars by adding the "select multiple objects" button, in the "drawing" tab. (Right click any tool bar, customize)

It will display a list of the selected shapes. You can change the selection there. The list is sorted according to the position of each shape respect to each other (bottom is first in the list)

It will display the names of the shapes, and also the "alternative web text". You can add "alternative web text" to any shape or group by going to Format / Autoshape / Web / alternative web text.