Create Portable Presentations That Run Anywhere You can easily create a self-running presentation that doesn't even require that PowerPoint be installed on the computer running it. This feature lets you carry a foolproof copy of your presentation, in case you have problems with your notebook PC. Your presentation will run on any PC running Windows XP or later. Here's how:

In PowerPoint 97-2000, with the presentation open:

1. Select File/Pack and Go – If this feature is not installed, you'll be prompted to insert the program's CD.
2. Click Next - to accept the current presentation.
3. Click Browse – Select the destination for the self-running presentation (USB drive or CD), then click Next.
4. Check Options – Mark Include Linked Files and Embed TrueType Fonts and click Next.
5. Include Viewer – Mark the Include Viewer option and click Next.
6. Click Finish – PowerPoint will pack up the presentation and copy it to the destination you selected, including the viewer.
7. To Unpack Your Presentation – Use My Computer to navigate to the destination you chose for your presentation, then double-click pngsetup.exe. Click OK and the presentation will be unpacked into the same folder. Or provide a new folder name, then click OK.
8. To Show Your Presentation – Locate the name of the presentation in the folder (it may be shortened, but will have the .PPT filename extension). Right click the presentation and click Show.

Hint: Unpack and test the presentation before taking it on the road. If you use a USB drive, you'll be ready to go without delay.

In PowerPoint 2003 or 2007, with the presentation open:

1. (PowerPoint 2003) – Select File/Package for CD
1. (PowerPoint 2007) - Click the Office Button, then select Publish/Package for CD
2. Enter a Name for the CD or Folder – The default settings are good for most presentations, but you can change the name. Then click Copy to Folder or Copy to CD. If you're copying to a USB drive, click Copy to Folder.
3. If Copying to a Folder – Click Browse to navigate to and select your USB drive or other media. Click OK and Yes in any resulting dialog boxes.
4. If Copying to a CD – Insert a blank CD and click OK and Yes in any dialog boxes that appear.
5. (PowerPoint 2003) – To unpack and run your presentation, follow instructions 7 and 8, shown above for PowerPoint 97-2000.
5. (PowerPoint 2007) - To run your presentation – If you've copied it to a CD, insert the CD and the presentation will start automatically. If you've saved it to a USB drive or other media, use My Computer to navigate to the folder, then double-click play.bat in the folder to run the presentation.


Hold Audience Attention With Random Transitions

Although using different transitions between slides is a well-known way to hold your audience's attention, setting up transitions for each slide takes a lot of time. Most PowerPoint users aren't aware that the program can automatically use random transitions. Here's how to set this up. With the presentation open in PowerPoint:

• In PowerPoint 97-2003, select Slide Show/Slide Transition, then scroll down in the Effect box list to the bottom and click Random Transition. Choose a transition speed and Advance options, then click Apply to All.
• In PowerPoint 2007, select Animations, then click the arrow next to Apply To All. Select the question mark at the bottom, then click Apply to All.
• Save the presentation to make the changes permanent.


Convert a Presentation for Kiosk Use

It's easy to convert any presentation you use in front of an audience to one that can be used in a kiosk or reception area. After conversion, the presentation will run automatically, looping back to the first slide and starting over until you press Esc. Start by saving the presentation with a new file name.

PowerPoint 97-2003

1. Click Slide Show/Slide Transition, then set an Advance time that is long enough for viewers to take in any slide in the presentation. Uncheck On Mouse Click. Click Apply to All.
2. Click Slide Show/Setup Show. In the dialog box, mark Browsed at a kiosk and Loop continuously until 'Esc'. Mark All under Slides, and Using Timings under Advance slides. Click OK, then save the presentation.

PowerPoint 2007

1. Click Animations. Uncheck On Mouse Click and set an appropriate slide display time in the Automatically After box. Click Apply to All.
2. Click Slide Show then Set Up Slide Show. In the dialog box, mark Browsed at a kiosk and Loop continuously until 'Esc'. Mark All under Show Slides, and Using Timings, if present under Advance slides. Click OK, then save the presentation.