Updated Interface and Task Panes

Like the other Microsoft Office 2003 applications, PowerPoint features an enhanced task pane that gives quick access to frequently used functions.The redesigned menu at the top of the task pane makesdifferent panes easier to choose than before. When you start PowerPoint 2003, the Getting Started task pane displays links to your most recently edited presentations and to Microsoft Office Online, where you can get tips and tutorials that supplement the built-in help. See Task Pane Overview.

Tip: If the task pane does not appear automatically when you start PowerPoint, choose Tools>Options.In the Options dialog box, click the tab, check the Startup Task Pane box , and click OK.

Improved Presentation Packaging

Packaging is the process of gathering your PowerPoint presentation together with its supporting graphics, fonts, sounds ,and video clips. These collected files can then be saved to a writable CD for easy distribution or for taking presentations on the road. For additional flexibility, the PowerPoint Viewer can be included in the package and enables your presentation to run on computers that do not have PowerPoint installed. In PowerPoint 2003, packaging has been simplified and the Viewer has been updated to display sophisticated animation and transition effects. See Creating a Portable Presentation Package.

New Presentation Tools in Slide Show Mode

PowerPoint’s slide show mode features a redesigned toolbar that simplifies slide navigation and provides easy access to new annotation tools.

Free-hand annotation using the annotation menu.

Slide show toolbar with annotation menu displayed. Click/ to move back and forth through the slide sequence or / to view the annotation or slide show menu.

Though you can use annotation tools with a mouse or trackpad, they are most effective on tablet PCs. Annotations can be saved as part of your slides once the presentation is complete. See Running Your Presentation.

Smart Tags

Smart Tags identify specific kinds of data (e.g. stock market symbols) and enable you to use it easily with other Microsoft programs. To switch Smart Tags on, choose Tools > AutoCorrect Options, click the tab, and check the Label text with smart tags box . Position your mouse pointer on any Smart Tag (e.g. ) and click the action button to choose an option.