Expanding PowerPoint Functionality

by Steve Johnson - published on this site on June 2nd 2007

Introduction
Viewing and Managing Add-ins
Load or Unload a PowerPoint Add-in

Introduction

An add-in extends the functionality of Microsoft Office programs. An add-in is typically a third-party program you can purchase—some are shareware—and download from the Web. You can find a list of add-ins for Microsoft Office on the Microsoft Office Online Web site. Before you can use an addin, you need to load it first. After you load an add-in, the feature may add a command to a Ribbon tab or toolbar.

If you want to customize Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 and create advanced presentations, you’ll need to learn how to work with the Microsoft Office 2007 programming language, Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). VBA is powerful and flexible, and you can use it in all major Office applications. To create a VBA application, you have to learn VBA conventions and syntax. Office 2007 makes VBA more user-friendly by providing the Visual Basic Editor, an application that includes several tools to help you write error-free VBA applications. The Visual Basic Editor provides extensive online Help to assist you in this task.

A practical way to use VBA is to create macros. Macros can simplify common repetitive tasks that you use regularly in PowerPoint. Macros can reside on the PowerPoint Quick Access Toolbar for easy access. If a macro has a problem executing a task, the Visual Basic Editor can help you debug, or fix the error in your macro. VBA may be a difficult language for the new user, but its benefits make the effort of learning it worthwhile.

An ActiveX control is a software component that adds functionality to an existing program. An ActiveX control supports a customizable, programmatic interface for you to create your own functionality, such as a form. Excel includes several pre-built ActiveX controls—including a label, text box, command button, and check box—to help you create a user interface.

An add-in extends functionality, such as smart tags, to Microsoft Office programs (New!). An add-in can add buttons and custom commands to the Ribbon. You can get add-ins for PowerPoint on the Microsoft Office Online Web site in the Downloads area, or on third-party vendor Web sites. When you download and install an add-in, it appears on the Add- Ins tab of an Office program depending on functionality and includes a special ScreenTip that identifies the developer. You can view and manage add-ins from the Add-in area in PowerPoint Options.

Add-ins are additional programs, designed to run seamlessly within PowerPoint or Office. There are two main types of add-ins: PowerPoint and Component Object Model (COM). PowerPoint add-ins are custom controls designed specifically for PowerPoint, while COM add-ins are designed to run in one or more Office programs and use the file name extension .dll or .exe. Some add-ins are installed when you run the Setup program, while others can be downloaded from Microsoft Office Online or purchased from third-party vendors. To load or unload addins, PowerPoint provides commands you can access from an added button on the Quick Access Toolbar or the Add-in area in PowerPoint Options.

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Viewing and Managing Add-ins

View Installed Add-ins

1. Click the Add-Ins tab.
   
   Add-ins with buttons and controls appear on the Ribbon.
   
   
   
   
2. Point to a button or control to display a ScreenTip.
   
   
3. Click the Office button, and then click PowerPoint Options.
   
   
4. In the left pane, click Add-Ins.
   
   The installed add-ins appear in the list by category.

• Active Application Add-ins.
  Lists the registered and running add-ins. A selected check box for a COM add-in appears here.
  
  
• Inactive Application Add-ins.
  Lists the installed add-ins, but not currently loaded. A cleared check box for a COM add-in appears here.
  
  
• Document Related Add-ins.
  Lists template files currently open in a document.
  
  
• Disabled Application Add-ins.
  Lists automatically disabled add-ins causing Office programs to crash.

5. Click an add-in to display information about it.
   
   
6. Click OK.
   
   
   

Manage Installed Add-ins

1. Click the Office button, and then click PowerPoint Options.
   
   
2. In the left pane, click Add-Ins.
   
   
3. Click the Manage list arrow, and then click the add-in list you want to display
   
   
   • COM Add-ins. Opens the COM Add-Ins dialog box and lists the Component Object Model (COM) add-ins.
     
     
   • PowerPoint Add-ins. Opens the Add-Ins dialog box and lists the currently installed PowerPoint add-ins.
     
     
   • Smart Tags. Opens the AutoCorrect dialog with the Smart Tags tab and list the installed smart tags.
     
     
   • Disabled Items. Opens the Disabled Items dialog box and lists the disabled items that prevent PowerPoint from working properly. If you want to try and enable an item, select it, click Enable, click Close, and then restart PowerPoint.
     
     
4. Click Go.
   
   
5. Click OK.
   
   
   

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Load or Unload a PowerPoint Add-in

Load or Unload a PowerPoint Add-in

1. Click the Add-Ins button on the Quick Access Toolbar.
   
   If necessary, use the Customize pane in PowerPoint Options to add the button to the Quick Access Toolbar.
   
   
2. Click the add-in you want to load or unload.
   
   TROUBLE? If the add-in is not available in the list, click Add New, locate and select the add-in you want, and then click OK.
   
   
3. Click Load or Unload.
   
   
4. To remove the selected add-in, click Remove.
   
   
5. Click Close.
   
   

Load or Unload a COM Add-in

1. Click the COM Add-Ins button on the Quick Access Toolbar.
   
   If necessary, use the Customize pane in PowerPoint Options to add the button to the Quick Access Toolbar.
   
   
2. Select the check box next to the add-in you want to load, or clear the check box you want to unload.
   
   TROUBLE? If the add-in is not available in the list, click Add, locate and select the add-in you want, and then click OK.
   
   
3. To remove the selected add-in, click Remove.
   
   
4. Click OK.
   
   

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