How to Convert PPT to a Screensaver

Important messages and graphics can be reinforced as a screen saver on your computer. PowerPoint and Windows, respectively, have the functions to convert slides to pictures and set a customized screen saver. Additionally, MessagePoint is an add-in that is commercially available to add functionality to your computer. MessagePoint enables users to select PowerPoint presentations, without converting the slides to individual pictures, thereby allowing users to quickly switch among screen saver sets.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

MessagePoint for PowerPoint 2007

1. Select your "Control Panel" option from your Windows Start menu.

2. Select the option for "Display properties" in the Control Panel window.

3. Click the "Screen Saver" tab in the Display Properties dialog box. Select "MessagePoint Pro" in the drop-down menu under "Screen saver."

4. Click the "Settings" button in the "Screen saver" section and select your presentation file. Click the "Select" button.

5. Click the "OK" button to exit the Display Properties dialog box.

PowerPoint 2000 and Above

6. Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the "Save As" option under "File" in your top menu.
   In Office 2007, select this option under the PowerPoint icon.

7. Select your "My Pictures" folder in your hard drive and create a new folder by clicking the "New folder" button. Type the name of your folder in the dialog box, such as "PPT presentation," and click the "Create" button.

8. Select "Device Independent Bitmap" in the drop-down menu under "File Format" (for PowerPoint 2007 select "JPEG").
   Select the option to save every slide, or the current selected slide only by clicking the radio button next to the option, and then clicking the "OK" button, or in PowerPoint 2000, click the "OK" button.
   Click the "Save" button for PowerPoint to process each slide as an image.

9. Select the "Control Panel" option in your Windows Start menu. Click the "Display" option in the Control Panel window (this may be located under the "Appearance and Themes" option).

10. Click the "Screen Saver" tab in the Display Properties dialog box. Select "My Pictures Slideshow" in the drop-down menu under "Screen saver."

11. Click the "Settings" button in the "Screen saver" section, and select the option for "Use pictures in this folder." Select your newly created folder in My Pictures and click the "OK" button.
    Click the "OK" button to exit the Display Properties dialog box.

Tips & Warnings

• Set the time interval between pictures by clicking the "Wait" button in the "Display properties" dialog box (under the "Screen Saver" tab), and select your desired settings.
• Animations and movies in your PowerPoint presentation won't be displayed in your screen saver.

References

• Presentation Point: MessagePoint Software
• Microsoft Office: Create Screensaver From Slides
• Microsoft Office: Save PowerPoint in Another File Format