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You can create a fairly impressive presentation in MS PowerPoint that plays like an old time slide show and you can even add sound and video to your presentation.

But if you really want to jazz it up and blend video clips, HTML, audio and PowerPoint slides into one single show that can play back on the Internet, then you need a little something extra.

That little something extra is a seldom heard of FREE (to licensed users) add on called Microsoft Producer 2003. Be aware that you will have to have a high speed Internet connection to download the program because its approximately 46MB.

Producer will allow you to do the following:

  • Capture narration and synchronize it with your slides using a simple wizard
  • Capture high-quality audio and video and add it directly to your presentation
  • Create presentations that play back properly on Macintosh computers and in non-Microsoft browsers
  • Embed presentations into HTML format, frames within a Website and allow viewers to save stopping points, speed up playback, and easily fast-forward or rewind through the show.
  • Create multiple versions of your show in different bit rates or using different versions of the Windows Media format.

Keep in mind, that Producer isn't for the casual PowerPoint user. But if you're looking to create a stunning, breath-taking show, then you need to investigate Microsoft Producer. You can find it at: Producer Download

This program is compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint 2002 and 2003.

To import a PowerPoint presentation into Producer and edit the slides follow the steps below:

  1. To start Producer, click Start | All Programs | Microsoft Office.
  2. Click Microsoft Producer for PowerPoint 2003.
  3. In the Microsoft Producer dialog box, click Use the New Presentation Wizard.
  4. Click OK to start the New Presentation Wizard.
  5. On the Welcome to the New Presentation Wizard page, click Next.
  6. On the Presentation Template page, select one of the many templates based on the digital media you plan to use. If you’re not sure which template to use, click Default.
  7. On the Choose a Presentation Scheme page, complete the following steps to specify the color scheme and font attributes for your presentation. You may leave the defaults if you prefer.
    • In the Font list, choose a font for the table of contents text.
    • In the Font size list, choose a size for the table of contents text.
    • In the Font color box, choose the color for the table of contents text and table of contents entries.
    • In the Background box, choose the background color for the table of contents area in your presentation.
    • In the Slides area background box, choose the background color for the area in which your slides are shown in your presentation.
  8. On the Presentation Information page, complete the following steps:
    • In the Title box, type the title for your presentation.
    • In the Presenter (optional) box, type the presenter's name.
    • In the Introduction page image (optional) box, type a path and file name for an image you want to display. If you do not know the path and file name, click Browse to locate an image file on your computer or on a network location, and then click Open to select the file.
  9. In the Description (optional) box, type a short description of your presentation.
    • The information you enter on this page will appear on the introduction page of your published presentation
  10. On the Import Slides and Still Images page, click Browse and locate the folder that contains the files you wish to import.
  11. Click the PowerPoint file and then click Open to select the file. The selected file is added to the Files area automatically.
  12. Click Finish. Producer 2003 imports the file and opens the project.
  13. In Producer, click the Media tab.
  14. On the timeline, right-click the first slide, and then click Edit Slide.
  15. PowerPoint starts automatically and the first slide is selected.
  16. In PowerPoint, make your edits
  17. On the File menu, click Save, and then close PowerPoint.
  18. The updated slides are automatically imported into Producer 2003 with your changes when you return to Producer.
  19. To save the project, on the File menu, click Save Project. In the File name box, type the name of your file, and then click Save.

I think you agree, that after you've mastered Producer, you will be the star presenter in your company!

Carol Bratt has authored several informative Microsoft Office books and writes the monthly Word Bytes Newsletter with more tips and tricks in each issue. Visit Carol's website for more great Microsoft Office tips and tricks! Click here to see her latest books!