Hi there, I have converted my ppt files from version 2007 to 97-2003. But the end users on the receiving end (using ver 97-2003), cannot edit those data charts (especially the SmartObjects) and the format of those charts will go haywire.

Can someone please kindly advise on what approach I could use? One of the options that I thought of is to recreate all the slides in ppt 97-2003 version, instead of using ppt 2007. But this will take a lot of time.

I have also search for microsoft help and obviously they don't have a solution to the formatting problem.
http://office.microsoft.com/en.....31033.aspx

Any help greatly appreciated.
Million thanks in advance.

I have 2007 - I'm guessing you know that Powerpoint 03 (and before) saves in a .ppt file, and Powerpont 07 saves in a .pptx?
Basically, when you save in compatibility mode (03 > .ppt) a window will pop up saying that you cannot edit the Smart objects and similar using 03. However, these are editable through 07 again
As long as you only use features which are available in 03 (ie: no SmartArt) then you should be ok, but surely this defeats the object of having 07?

I'm thinking jmcguire was correct about the 'flat file' thing - it treats smartart and other new 07 features as pictures when you open in 03

However, formatting of the charts should NOT go haywire, this is very odd

Do you need the users on 03 to be able to edit the tables?
If NOT - you could always create the tables and similar yourself on 07, and then print-screen to make them as pictures, and put these in front of the actual tables, so people see the powerpoint to look fine, but the original table is still behind for you to change on PP 07 if necessary

I know that is a bit of a cop-out, but I know of no other way sorry. Do not change from Office 07 though - it is brilliant, and not worth losing for a couple of compaitibility errors.

Hope this helps =]null

If it is only a matter of the "receiving party" wanting to watch those files, maybe the Powerpoint Viever 2007 can help.

The receiving end wants the ability to change the data. Those data charts are inserted inside PPT 2007 using this command INSERT -> CHART, and a dialog box will appear with many different types of charts. The data charts are not copied from excel or ppt2003. It's purely created inside ppt2007.

BTW, how can I attach pictures here so that you guys can see the problems.

Choose IMG - saves time on us clicking another webpage :P

Ok, well I think the problem lies therein that you are using the 07 chart feature - you're 'purely in 07 explains it I guess'
Try copying in a basic table from excel? Just to see, if it works with your recipients?

If that doesn't work, hopefully with a full screenshots we'll be able to sort something out for you (:

oppss.. the images exploded! Sorry it's that big! ;)

Ok, when you say edit the data, where is this data that you are talking about?
I had a look at the insert chart function - I see you have to deal with all the information on excel?
Well, when you double click on the chart from 07. you open a new tab at top - design? This strikes me as very much and 07 feature rather than 03

Regarding the border which pops up, have you tried right clicking, format, and removing the border?
On the 'problems' picture, nothing happens like that from 07, only when viewing on 03?

Hi Aleeve, sorry to keep you waiting.

The data is actually in the data chart and it appears as a spreadsheet format when I double-click on the data chart (note that it's NOT the excel spreadsheet format where you can see the spreadsheet tabs below).

In the Insert Chart function - all the information are entered via excel (although I don't have to manually open excel application). For example, in ppt2007, when i insert any type of chart, excel application will start next to ppt2007, which in this case, ppt2007 will be on the left, and excel2007 on the right - both will occupy same amount of space. See the image attached here.

Also, I think the ppt2007 is really a standalone function, and there's certain restrictions on compatibility - it's not fully compatible yet!

When I save in compatibility format, the "Compatibility Checker" dialog box (as your attached above) will appear. That's where they report all the problems that are not compatible with earlier ppt (ie. 97 - 2003).

I tried formatting the border but it takes time, and this will just be another band-aid, there's no permanent cure. In other words, whenever I creat in ppt2007 and save in compatibility format (for ppt97-2003), my end users will always have same problems associated with it.

I think with all these processes and programming from Microsoft, it's quite apparent that converting from ppt2007 to 2003 will pose a situation. No?

Next, I have also tried inserting data and creating chart inside excel, and pasting it (the data chart) onto ppt2007, saving it as compatible ppt2003. My end user gets a picture format which can't be formatted.

Any bang bang ideas that we can try?

Thanks again for your kind help. ;)

oh.. this i think is bigger...
IMG]http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo277/nickeldoor77/IMG04-adjacentofpptandexcel.png[/IMG]

Ok, well this is slightly weird!

I would suggest possibly, saving the graph as you make it on snipping tool, and then inserting the .jpg file for your end users
Other than that, I'm really sorry, but I am not entirely sure where to go from there.

When I get some free time, I'll give it a go myself, until then, keep coming back!