A new blank.pot template does not automatically open when you start PowerPoint (278549)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
This article was previously published under Q278549

SYMPTOMS

When you create a new Microsoft PowerPoint blank presentation template, the computer may not use the template as the default blank template when you start PowerPoint.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if you create a new default Workgroup template location using the File Location options on the Microsoft Word Tools menu, and you then save a new blank presentation template to the new Workgroup template location. The default template location for PowerPoint is the User templates folder, and this cannot be modified.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, either move an existing template, or create a new design template to the PowerPoint user template folder.
  1. Start PowerPoint, and then open or create a master slide to use as your default blank template.
  2. On the File menu, click Save As.
  3. In the Save as type box, click Design Template(*.pot).

    PowerPoint automatically selects the appropriate file location.
  4. In the File name box, type blank.pot (type blank presentation.pot in PowerPoint 2000), and then click Save.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/11/2006
Keywords:kbstartprogram kbnewfile kbtshoot kbprb KB278549
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