The lady with your PowerPoint 2007 answers...

PowerPoint expert Ellen Finkelstein has written a new book, How to Do Everything with Microsoft® Office PowerPoint® 2007. The book is for PowerPoint beginners and experts who want to increase their productivity and sharpen their skills.

I chatted briefly with Ms. Finkelstein yesterday. I told her that I may have fallen into "the trough of despair" with regard to the new PowerPoint 2007 ribbon interface. Ellen offered me some sage advise:

"In all of Office 2007, I think that PowerPoint offers the most value. The new features will help you create better-designed presentations more easily. But the learning curve for the new ribbon interface is considerable. Expect to spend some time figuring out how to complete familiar tasks. Don't do it when you have a deadline to meet! Instead, find some time to devote playing around with the interface and the many new features."

That word "playing" is key. For most of the month, I have been working with PowerPoint, creating presentations for clients. And I often found myself muttering dark oaths under my breath when I could not easily locate previously-familiar commands.

Typically, I have a sunny nature. If I approach the new interface with a more play-ful, getting-to-know-you attitude, I am sure I will swiftly move out of what I call "old cranky pants" territory. Surely, I do not want to be an old fogey who cannot easily adapt to change!

Ellen offered further wisdom:

"PowerPoint 2007 has an interactive guide to help you find familiar 2003 commands in 2007. It takes 7 clicks to get there!

(Click the Help (?) button > Getting Help > Reference: Locations of PowerPoint 2003 commands in PowerPoint 2007 > New locations of familiar commands > Interactive: PowerPoint 2003 to PowerPoint 2007 command reference guide > Start the Guide > Start.)"

Ellen continued:

"However, this guide has many limitations. I therefore recommend a book with a good index that you keep handy on your desk. You'll refer to it often!"

A good book with a good index! For those of us who are more comfortable thumbing through a handy desk reference with good index than navigating seven clicks to get to a slow-to-load internet presentation, Ellen's new book could just be the ticket.

You can visit Ellen's site to find out more about her new book, download two free sections, read a "what's new" review of PowerPoint 2007, and much more. It's good stuff!

Labels: PowerPoint Tricks

¶ 3/08/2007 12:20:00 PM