Create an EXE file from PowerPoint 2003? Yes, it can be done

Create an EXE file from PowerPoint 2003? Yes, it can be done

To be able to create a stand-alone executable (EXE) file from Microsoft PowerPoint that runs on Windows-compatible computers, including those without PowerPoint or the PowerPoint Viewer installed, is something many users ask for. Unfortunately for years PowerPoint did not provide this option, even though one of its major competitors, Corel Presentations, did.

Now with PowerPoint 2003 and Windows XP, however, there is a quick and relatively easy way to do this. By using PowerPoint 2003's Package for CD feature and a little-known wizard utility within Windows XP, it's possible to convert a PowerPoint presenta 414i89e tion into an EXE file.

Before you begin, write down the name of your PowerPoint file. For example, if your file is called Presentation One, write down "Presentation One.ppt"; you will need this later.

Next you will need to create a separate file folder somewhere on your hard drive that will serve as a gathering spot for your PowerPoint presenta 414i89e tion, as well as all linked elements such as images, sound and video. In PowerPoint 2003, a new feature can place all linked content within a single folder. Go under file and choose package for cd. In the resulting dialog box, you need to provide a name for the CD compilation. Next, choose the Copy to Folder option rather than Copy to CD. PowerPoint will automatically store all required content, including the presentation, linked files, Viewer and two files entitled "autorun.inf" and "playlist.bat." Once you have completed the Package for CD operation, you can delete both the "autorun.inf" and playlist files from the chosen folder (Example 1).

Finally, you will create another file folder where you will store your newly created EXE file. Now you're ready to dive into IExpress, a utility buried deep within Windows XP that you probably didn't know you had.

Finding IExpress

In Windows XP, go to your start menu and choose run. In the dialog box type "iexpress." This will open the IExpress Wizard, one of Windows' undocumented secrets. There are 14 steps to the wizard process

1. From the Welcome to IExpress 2.0 window, choose Create a new Self Extraction Directive file. Click Next. (Example 2.)

2. From the Package purpose menu, choose "Extract files and run an installation command." Click Next.

3. In the Package title window, type in a name for your package title (Example 3). Click Next.

4. In the Confirmation Prompt box, choose No prompt. Click Next.

5. In the License Agreement box, choose Do not display a license. Click Next.

6. In the Packaged files box, click the Add button and locate the file you created with the Package for CD feature. Select all (CTRL+A) the files in the folder that PowerPoint copied as part of the Package for CD feature (Example 4). Click Next.

7. In the Install Program to Launch screen, click on the arrow to the right of the Install program prompt and choose pptview.exe. Next place your cursor directly at the end of "pptview.exe" and hit the space bar once, then type in the name of your presentation (Example 5). In the Post Install Command drop-down list, choose NONE. Click Next.

8. In the Show window, choose Hidden and click Next.

9. In the Finished message menu, choose No message and click Next.

10. In the Package Name and Options window, you will choose a location and name for the stand-alone EXE file using the Browse button. Go to the new folder you created for the EXE file, type in the name and click Save. Then, check both the Hide File Extracting Progress Animation from User and the Store files using Long File Name inside Package options from the Options box (Example 6). Click Next.

11. In the Configure restart menu, choose the No restart option and click Next.

12. The Save Self Extraction Directive window is an important step since IExpress can save all settings you have chosen. Choose Save Self Extraction Directive (SED) file and give the file the same name as your presentation. Choose the same folder as the output location of your stand-alone EXE (Example 7). Click Next.

13. In the final Create package screen, press Next to begin the EXE creation process.

14. A DOS/command window will open to complete the process. You'll find that IExpress compresses your actual files by as much as 50 percent. When complete, click Finish. (Example 8.)

You can now test out your newly created EXE file by double-clicking on it to see if it plays. While the EXE files created using this method play perfectly on Windows 2000 and XP machines, playing them on Windows 95, 98 and Me systems may yield inconsistent results. Mainly the differences lie in fidelity factors, including lack of anti-aliased fonts in older Windows versions due to some incompatibilities with the PowerPoint 2003 Viewer.

But overall the IExpress and Package for CD feature make it easy to create an EXE file that can be e-mailed or given to another user.