XL7: Visual Basic Example for Creating a PowerPoint Slide Show

• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
• Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95, version 7.0

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, you can programmatically control Microsoft PowerPoint, with a Visual Basic for Applications macro that uses OLE automation. To use the properties and methods in the object library provided by PowerPoint, you will need to create an object variable using the CreateObject function. Also, if you are planning to use the built-in constants provided by the object library, you will need to make a reference to the library.

MORE INFORMATION

The following example creates a presentation, adds graphics and text, and then runs the slide show.

Microsoft provides examples of Visual Basic for applications procedures for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This Visual Basic procedure is provided 'as is' and Microsoft does not guarantee that it can be used in all situations. Microsoft does not support modifications of this procedure to suit customer requirements for a particular purpose.

To run the following macro you will need to perform the following steps:

1. Open a new workbook and type the following macro code in a new module sheet:

      Sub PowerPointOLEAutomation()
      Dim PPT As Object
      Dim Pres As PowerPoint.Presentation
      Dim Slide1 As PowerPoint.Slide
      Dim Slide2 As PowerPoint.Slide
      Dim Slide3 As PowerPoint.Slide
      Dim Slide4 As PowerPoint.Slide
      Dim i as integer
   
      'creates the PowerPoint Object
      Set PPT = CreateObject("powerpoint.application.7")
      PPT.AppWindow.Visible = True 'Makes PowerPoint visible
   
      Set Pres = PPT.Presentations.Add 'Adds a blank presentation
   
      'adds a blank slide
      Set Slide1 = Pres.Slides.Add(1, ppLayoutBlank)
      Set Slide2 = Pres.Slides.Add(2, ppLayoutBlank)
      Set Slide3 = Pres.Slides.Add(3, ppLayoutBlank)
      Set Slide4 = Pres.Slides.Add(4, ppLayoutBlank)
   
      'you can use universal naming convention (UNC) to point to network share
      'adds a graphic image to the slide
      'these need to be on a separate line
      Slide1.Background.Fill.PresetShaded ppPresetShadeEarlySunset, 1, 1
      Slide2.Background.Fill.PresetShaded ppPresetShadeDaybreak, 1, 1
      Slide3.Background.Fill.PresetShaded ppPresetShadeMahogany, 1, 1
      Slide4.Background.Fill.PresetShaded ppPresetShadeNightfall, 1, 1
   
      For i = 1 To 4 'starts a FOR loop
   
          With Pres.Slides(i)
                  .Objects.AddTextFrame 5000, 0, 5000 'adds a text frame
                  Select Case i
                      Case 1
                          'enters text into the text frame
      .Objects(1).Text = "Today is " & _
      Format(Date, "mm/dd/yy")
                      Case 2
                          .Objects(1).Text = "This Is Just A Test"
                      Case 3
                         .Objects(1).Text = "Please Do Not Be Alarmed"
                      Case 4
                          .Objects(1).Text = "Everything Is OK"
                  End Select
   
                  'sets characteristics for the font
                  With .Objects(1).Text.Font
   
                      'screen measurements are done in Twips,
                      'multiply by 20 to get normal pixel size
                          .Size = 50 * 20
                          .Bold = ppTrue
                          .Shadow = ppTrue
                  End With
                  'center aligns the text
                  .Objects(1).Text.ParaFormat.Alignment = ppAlignCenter
   
          End With
      Next i
   
      'copies a chart
      ThisWorkbook.Worksheets(1).DrawingObjects("Chart 1").CopyPicture
   
      PPT.ActiveWindow.View.Paste 'pastes the chart
   
      'runs a Slide Show presentation
      Pres.SlideShow.Run (ppSlideShowFullScreen)
   
      'clears the object variable
      Set PPT = Nothing 'This does not close the application
   
      End Sub
   
   

2. Create a reference to the PowerPoint object library by activating the module sheet that contains the macro. Click References on the Tools menu and select the PowerPoint 7.0 Object Library check box, then click OK.

3. In Sheet1 of the workbook that contains the macro code, type the following:

         A1: 1
         A2: 2
         A3: 3
   

4. Create any type of embedded chart on Sheet1 using the range of A1:A3 as the source data.

5. Run the macro

REFERENCES

Getting Started Controlling Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95 Through OLE Automation - White Paper