Leading the way in Microsoft Office Development

Step 1 - How can I run a Macro ?

You can run macros that are either in the current presentation or in any other open presentation.

Running a macro is very easy and there are several ways you can do this.

1) Using the Macro dialog box.

2) Using a graphic or AutoShape with the Action Settings dialog box.

3) Using a Button assigned to an existing toolbar or drop-down menu.

Step 2 - Using the Macro dialog box

You could run your macro from the Macro dialog box. Select (Tools > Macro > Macros).

Select the name of your macro from the list and press the "Run" button.

Alternatively you can use the shortcut key (Alt + F8) to display the Macro dialog box.

 (Tools > Macro > Macros) dialog box

The default is to display all the macros that are currently available in the active presentation.

It is possible to change the "Macro in" drop-down box to display the macros from all the open presentations.

The macros that appear in this dialog box will be any that have been recorded as well as any that have been written.

Any macros that have the same name as those in the active presentation are prefixed by the name of the presentation.

 (Tools > Macro > Macros) dialog box

You can prevent a macro from appearing in this list by declaring it as "Private" as opposed to Public. Public is the default for all recorded macros.

Step 3 - Assigning to a Graphic or AutoShape

You could run your macro by using a graphic or AutoShape.

It is possible to run your macros in two ways:

1) When the shape is clicked (with the left mouse button)

2) When the mouse if moved over the shape.

Add the shape you would like to use to the corresponding slide.

To insert an AutoShape you have to display the Drawing toolbar. This can be done by selecting (View > Toolbars > Drawing).

Select the graphic or AutoShape with the Right mouse button and select "Action Settings".

 (Slide Show > Action Settings) dialog box

There are two tabs and there are several actions which you can change and customise.

For more information on running macros using AutoShapes and other objects, please refer to the ?? Section.

Step 4 - Assigning to an existing toolbar or drop-down menu

You could run your macro by using an additional button on either a toolbar or a drop-down menu.

This is slightly more complicated and there are specific pages giving step by step instructions on how to do this following on from this page.

Any macros that are added to existing toolbars and menus will be accessible from any presentation.

These should be stored in an add-in and not a specific presentation.

Step 5 - Things to Remember

Any macros that are available from any additional PowerPoint add-ins are not displayed in the (Tools > Macro > Macros) dialog box.

You can interrupt a running macro by pressing the ESC key. This will display a dialog box allowing you to either Continue, End or Debug your macro. You can also use the key combination (Ctrl + Break) to interrupt a macro.

Macros cannot be undone. This is not technically right and is discussed in the advanced sections.

It is not possible to assign shortcut keys to your recorded macros although there is an add-in that can be used to make this possible. For more information, please refer to the ?? Section.