Microsoft KB Archive/118334

PPT4: Using Playlists and the Insert Command

PSS ID Number: Q118334 Article last modified on 05-16-1998

windows:4.0,4.0a,4.0c

WINDOWS

================================================================ ==

The information in this article applies to:

 == Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.0a, and 4.0c == 

= SUMMARY =

You can use a list (.LST) file to incorporate many presentations, or individual slides within presentations, into one file. This can be accomplished by using the Run command from either the File menu of Program Manager or File Manager, and then typing the following in the Command Line box:

powerpnt.exe -i  -s 

The -i parameter followed by the .LST filename tells PowerPoint to insert the following list of files into a single presentation. The Slide Master of the first presentation file in the list will be applied to the entire presentation.

If the -s parameter is used, PowerPoint inserts the presentations and saves the file using the filename listed following the -s parameter. If a file currently exists with the same name, PowerPoint prompts you to confirm the operation. If the -s parameter is not specified, the file remains open in Slide Sorter view as an untitled presentation.

The command

powerpnt.exe -i show.lst -s trade.ppt

opens PowerPoint, incorporates all the presentations specified in the SHOW.LST file, and saves it with the name TRADE.PPT.

= MORE INFORMATION =

To create a list file that calls an individual slide, or range of slides, two line characters “||” (usually found above the  on the keyboard) must separate the filename from the slide range. For example, a list file that contained the following lines

SALES.PPT || 1-3,8 REPORT.PPT || 2,5,7

would insert slides 1-3 and 8 from the first presentation and slides 2, 5, and 7 from the second.

PowerPoint ignores the information following the “||” characters if the .LST file is used to launch a slide show. All slides in that case are displayed.

There are currently no limits to the number of presentations you can have listed in a .LST file. In addition to .PPT files, .LST files can also be included. Fully qualified path names are also supported within the .LST file. If a file is not found or the slide range is invalid, no errors will be given until PowerPoint has completed the instructions in the .LST file.

PowerPoint skips a file without generating an error if the file is not found in the indicated path. If a specified slide number is not found, that slide will be skipped without generating an error. If a slide range is listed incorrectly, PowerPoint grabs whatever files are available within that range without generating an error. When PowerPoint has finished running through the .LST file, one of the following warning messages is displayed:

One of the presentation files listed could not be found.

-or-

One or more slides specified could not be found in the presentation listed.

Additional query words: 4.0 4.0a 4.00 4.00a 4.00c 4.0c power point macppt winppt powerpt ====================================================================== Keywords : kbusage Version : windows:4.0,4.0a,4.0c Platform : WINDOWS Hardware : x86 ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.