Error Message when Opening a PowerPoint File from MS Teams
Working a set of our TLC Creative show computers I had this frustrating error when attempting to open the MS Teams based presentation:

I confirmed MS Teams was logged in with my credentials. Confirmed I can access the Team, folder and file. I also confirmed I was able to open the PowerPoint file in the Teams viewer and web-based browser version of PowerPoint. But I did not confirm PowerPoint/MS Office was logged in with my account – the user seen in the upper right of PowerPoint.

Each time I went through the process of logging myself as the profile for Office to use, the above error taunted me (argh!!). The solution, which I have confirmed works on yet another computer having the same Microsoft seizure, is to SIGN OUT of all profiles. Then sign in with your credentials. I have no idea why Office errors out when trying to login your profiles sometimes, but it does. And I now have a solution that works (but sorry to everyone else that needs to also use that computer and must go through the login profile process vs. just clicking to change profiles…).
– Troy @ TLC
Look Over There! (3)
The concept of the subject looking toward the content is not limited to people. Vehicles, roads, and animals all apply.
We can, all within PowerPoint, easily go from this:

To this:

Just some presentation design ideas for thought
Troy @ TLC
New Podcast Conversation Out Today!
9 presentation industry predictions for 2024; 3 from each host! Plus Troy, Sandy and Nolan do a scorecard review their 2023 presentation predictions to tally their successes and fails. Click here to join the conversation.
Look Over There! (2)
The previous post had these two (problem) slides.

The first image is an easy fix. The photo has no text, car steering wheel, or wedding band visible – all things that clearly show an image is in the wrong orientation. Using the FLIP HORIZONTAL in PowerPoint, updates the slide, and creates the reassuring visual of the subject looking at the slide content.

The second image is more difficult. The words on the white board prevent the image from being flipped. So we can be creative with the layout and “flip” the content to make the image work. We moved the bullet list to the left and the photo to the right, creating the reassuring visual of the subject looking at the slide content.

Troy @ TLC
Look Over There! (1)
What is wrong with these slides?


Maybe not “wrong” – but not aligning with design best practices. If you noted that the people in photos are looking away from the content!
Troy @ TLC
First Podcast Episode of 2024!
As we start 2024, The Presentation Podcast is looking back at 2023, specifically favorite presentation project, non-PowerPoint project, podcast episode – tech tip – guest, and more! Join Troy, Sandy and Nolan for this great podcast episode! Listen here.
Happy New Year with PowerPoint Video Fill!
Wouldn’t be amazing if a shape or vector art could have a video fill it, like the previous posts showcased the Picture Fill? Although the capability of inserting a video into a custom shape isn’t possible just yet, there is a work around!
- Start with inserting the video file in the slide.

- Select the video > in the animation pane select “play” and start “with previous”. Double click on the layer in the animation pane to open the video dialog box with more options.
- Under the “Timing” tab > “Repeat” > select “Until Next Click”. This will allow the video the loop play until the next click to end the slide.

- Next is to create a rectangle shape that is the same size as the video. In layer order, video (bottom), rectangle (middle), 2024 graphic (top).

- Selecting the 2024 graphic first then the rectangle. Shape Format tab, “Merge Shapes” then select combine. This will cut the 2024 graphic out of the rectangle, making the video visible underneath.
- Adjust the color of the rectangle as needed.

- Now there are 2 layers and the video file underneath is still accessible.

- And here is the final slide with a “video fill” image. Download the editable slide here.
Troy @ TLC, with Christie on the TLC Creative presentation design team

