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What is a PowerPoint Add-in ?

An add-in is a program that can be attached to PowerPoint to give it additional functionality.

Once an add-in has been installed its functionality is available from any presentation.

A PowerPoint add-in has the file extension (".ppa") and is a presentation that is always open when PowerPoint is open.

Any presentations that have been converted to add-ins will have their slides hidden.

Add-ins are specific to a particular application. PowerPoint add-ins are specific to PowerPoint and cannot be used with any other application.

The (Tools > Add-ins) dialog box will list all the PowerPoint add-ins that are currently available and any that are ticked are currently installed.

What can an PowerPoint Add-in do ?

Add-ins are used to distribute macros and provide an excellent way of increasing the power and functionality of PowerPoint.

You can include anything in an add-in that can be written in code.

Some of the most common uses are listed below:

1) Macros which you want available every time you open PowerPoint.

2) Toolbars and the Menu bar can be customised. Commands can be removed and new ones added.

3) Shortcut Menus can be customised. Commands can be removed and new ones added.

4) Databases can be connected to and data can be extracted or imported.

Using PowerPoint Add-ins

PowerPoint does not have any add-ins that come as standard although you can download some from the Microsoft Office website.

There are quite a few third party PowerPoint add-ins available as well. The majority are FREE to download from web sites.

Be aware that the more add-ins you have installed, the longer PowerPoint will take to open.

PowerPoint add-ins by default should be stored in the following place:

PowerPoint 2003 - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Library\

PowerPoint 2002 - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\Library\

PowerPoint 2000 - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Library\

PowerPoint 97 - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Library\

Advantages of using an Add-in

An add-in is easier to distribute and share than a presentation.

The Visual Basic code contained in an add-in can be compiled before the workbook is saved. Code in a normal workbook is not compiled until the code is run for the first time. Therefore Visual Basic code contained in an add-in can run slightly faster.

Any event handling procedures cannot be bypassed by using the Shift key. This ensures that an add-in is always initialised.

An add-in is almost invisible to the user, especially if you add a command to an existing drop-down menu. This may be more appropriate for inexperienced users that could get confused by having to open up additional workbooks.

Things to Remember

Be aware that the more add-ins you have installed, the longer PowerPoint will take to open. It is worth selecting (Tools > Add-ins) and clearing the check boxes for any add-ins that you do not use.

The majority of add-ins will probably be protected which means that if you try to view the project in the Visual Basic Editor you will be prompted for a password.

You may need to run your setup installation again if you can't find a particular add-in in your (Tools > Add-ins) dialog box.