Using Add-In Programs


Add-ins are special supplemental programs, usually provided by third-party sources, that extend and enhance PowerPoint's capabilities. Add-ins range from programs that add multimedia capabilities to those that simply enhance PowerPoint's default menus or toolbars .

Some add-ins are free; others have to be purchased. You can even write your own custom add-in programs by using PowerPoint's Visual Basic Editor. Also, you can find many add-ins on the Web. Look at the Microsoft Web site for those provided by Microsoft or do a Web search for "addins" and "PowerPoint" to find possible PowerPoint enhancements elsewhere on the Web.

Suppose you find an add-in that enhances the shadow control toolbar. Although not an earthshaking add-in, it does add some helpful controls for dealing with object shadows. To add this, or any other add-in, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Tools, Add-Ins. PowerPoint displays the Add-Ins dialog box that lists add-ins that have already been installed (see Figure 21.39).

    Figure 21.39. Add-ins add powerful functionality to PowerPoint.

    graphics/21fig39.gif

  2. Choose Add New. PowerPoint opens the Add New PowerPoint Add-In dialog box. By default, PowerPoint looks in the AddIns folder (for example, C:\Documents and Settings\your-username\Application Data\Microsoft\AddIns ) to find add-in programs that have a .ppa filename extension. If the add-in you're looking for isn't in the default folder, browse to its location.

  3. Select the add-in you want to install, and then choose OK.

  4. If the add-in contains macros, as virtually all add-ins do, a warning message appears that lets you disable the macros. However, if you want the full functionality of the add-in, you'll need to enable the macros.

    CAUTION

    Macros can contain viruses that in turn can wreak havoc on your computer. You should always exercise caution when enabling macros from unknown sources. Knowing the source of the add-in can help protect you from such viruses. If you've installed an antivirus program on your computer and have updated it with the latest virus definitions, you should be reasonably safe.

  5. After the add-in is installed, its name appears in the Available Add-Ins list with an x to the left of it. This means that the add-in is also loaded and ready to use.

  6. Choose Close to return to PowerPoint.

You now can use the add-in as you work with your PowerPoint presentation.

TIP

Add-ins do use some memory and can slow PowerPoint's performance. When you're not using an add-in, unload it by choosing Tools, Add-Ins, and then choosing Unload after selecting the add-in. The add-in remains installed but inactive, and you simply load it again when you need it.




Special Edition Using Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003
Special Edition Using Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003
ISBN: 0789729571
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 261

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