New on Micwyn (Nov 5): presentations
Presentations picked up a long list of new abilities this week. You can start one from Docs with New presentation, or bring in one you already have.
- Open a PowerPoint file. Open a file in Docs turns a .pptx into a presentation you can edit, with its transitions, entrance animations, video and sound, and SmartArt as shapes you can change. Anything that couldn't come across is listed, so you know what to check. Older .ppt files need saving as .pptx first.
- Presenter view. While presenting, press Presenter view or P. Your screen shows the slide, the next slide, your notes and a timer, and a second window shows only the slide for the projector. It needs a computer, with pop-ups allowed for the site.
- Transitions and click-by-click. Transition sets how a slide arrives (Fade, Push or Wipe). ✦ Appears on click brings an object in on the next click, and ☰ One line at a time does the same for each line of text.
- Backgrounds and hidden slides. Background gives a slide a color, a gradient or a picture. Hide slide keeps a slide in the deck but skips it when you present.
- Video and sound. The ▶ Audio or video button puts a recording on a slide, and ▶ Video from the web adds YouTube or Vimeo.
- Tables, charts and more. ＋ Object adds a Table, Chart, Stat row, Timeline or Comparison. Link to data ties them to a spreadsheet or a project.
- Translate. Anyone viewing a deck can press 🌐 Translate to read its slides in their own language. Only their copy changes, and the owner can turn it off under Share.
- Public links show everything. A deck's public link now shows its pictures and clips to people who aren't members.
If something comes out wrong, especially from a PowerPoint file, tell us with Report a problem at the bottom of any page.
