Weekly Computer Tip # 204
11 August 2007

add a scrolling ticker effect (Microsoft PowerPoint)

A couple of weeks ago I did an Advanced PowerPoint training session for three lovely women from a local company. They've given me lots of tip ideas (thanks Bridget, Hazel and Lisa!) and here's one of them ... creating a scrolling ticker effect. You know, like CNN's news ticker scrolling horizontally from right to left. (The one my cat used to love to chase!)

Here's how:

1. Select the slide to which the animation scheme is to be added.
2. On the Drawing toolbar click the Text Box button.
3. On the slide, click where you want the text box and type the news or information you want to display as a ticker.
4. Move the text box off the slide so that the ticker doesn't stop where the text box is placed. (For instance, to the bottom left, just beside the edge of the slide.)
5. Choose the Slide Show, Custom Animation command.
6. Click on your text box on the slide.
7. In the task pane, click on the Add Effect button. Then point to Entrance. Then select Crawl In on the submenu that appears. (If necessary, click on More Effects to locate the Crawl In option.)
8. In the task pane, make sure that the animation effect is selected. Then click on the down arrow at the right side of the listing.
9. Click on Effect Options and select your preferred direction. (For instance, "From Right".)
10. Click on the Timing tab and select your preferred speed. (You can also type your own setting, for instance "20 seconds")
11. Click on the Repeat down arrow and select "Until End of Slide". (This will make the ticker scroll until you advance to the next slide.)
12. Click OK.

As always, it sounds much more complicated than it is. (Honest!) I used it this week for a title slide, instructing my course participants to log in with their own user name and password upon arrival. Speaking of user names ... I had to ring the client's Help Desk earlier this week. Help Desk: Good morning, how may I help you? Me: Well, I've only been here a week, after which I was off for two weeks and now I cannot remember my user name. Help Desk: We don't do password resets over the phone. You will have to come and visit us. Me: No, I know my password. It's my user name I cannot remember. Help Desk: Now, that's a first. Me: Listen, mate. Over the years I've been known as u22pn16, snkro1, gbkro0, kjr1003, tdkrz, karen.roem, roemka, roemk, roemkar ... no wonder I suffer from multiple personality disorder. Oh, and obviously it doesn't help that I'm over the hill (even though I don't remember being on top of it) and that my joints are more accurate than the Met Office weather forecast.

Until next week.

PS I’m committed to sharing the best of what I know with others so please don’t keep me a secret. If you enjoyed today’s tip, please forward it to anyone you feel may benefit. Alternatively, feel free to reprint it (with full copyright and subscription information) in your newsletters and message boards.

Home   Training   Support   Clients   Contact Details   News   Disclaimer