Smarter Slides FAQ
Installation
I am not sure if Smarter Slides will run on my device. How can I check this?
You can check the requirements for Smarter Slides on the site “System requirements”. Therefore, click on the button above. If you are still unsure or if you want to be on the safe side: we offer a free test version (valid for 30 days) of Smarter Slides. If this test version can be installed and is running fine on your computer, the full version will work as well.
After my order I have not received a license key to activate Smarter Slides. What can I do?
You should have received a mail by Smarter Downloads (noreply@sendowl.com) after your order of a test or full version of Smarter Slides. Normally this mail will be sent out only a few minutes after your purchase. If you have not received this mail, please also check your junk mail folder. In the case you did not receive the order confirmation with your license key, please contact our support team (support@smarter-ones.com) and we will take care of this.
Smarter Slides activation requires an “alternative key” to activate my license. Why and what can I do?
If you are asked to enter an alternative key your security settings do not allow us to check the validity of your activation key. In most of the cases this is due to the settings of your company network. To continue with the installation, you have two possibilities: Disconnect from your company network and re-run the installation process. Get in contact with our support team (support@smarter-ones.com) and send us the message which is shown in the activation screen. We will send you an alternative key within the next 24 hours which will enable you to continue with the installation without changing any security settings. If you have already requested and received an alternative key, enter the key in the respective field and continue.
I cannot execute an exe-file. How can I install Smarter Slides?
The Smarter Installation Wizard process is the by far the easiest way to install. But nevertheless, thereis an alternative way to install Smarter Slides successfully on your device. You can use the ppam-file to activate your Smarter Slides installation without adim rights. Read more about this process on our download page.
I want to update Smarter Slides but I want to reuse my personal settings and Custom Template Gallery after the update. What do I need to do?
No worries. The update process does not affect your personal settings are any saved custom templates. Just run the update process as described and you will be able to reuse the personal settings as well as the Custom Template Gallery.
How do I transfer my license to a different device?
If you want to install Smarter Slides on a different device or reinstall it at a later stage, you can deactivate your personal license key. To deactivate your license key go to the Admin section within Smarter Organize and click on “Disable current device”. After the successful deactivation, the Smarter Slides add-In as well as all supporting documents will be deleted and removed from your PowerPoint add-in list. Your Custom Template Gallery and personal settings will not be deleted to ensure that you can start to work again with Smarter Slides at a later stage.
We know, it can happen that you do not have access anymore to your old computer. Contact us (support@smarter-ones.com) and we will deactivate your license key for you. After that you can reuse the code for a different device.
If you are having a trial version of Smarter Slides you are unfortunately not able to transfer your license to a different device.
We know, it can happen that you do not have access anymore to your old computer. Contact us (support@smarter-ones.com) and we will deactivate your license key for you. After that you can reuse the code for a different device.
If you are having a trial version of Smarter Slides you are unfortunately not able to transfer your license to a different device.
Functions
Admin
Where are the default colors used?
Within the admin section you can change your default colors to every color you like (or your CI). The default colors are used e.g. for Smarter Templates, Status Symbol function or the Agenda Manager.
How many languages are included?
Currently there are two different languages included: German and English. We are looking forward translating Smarter Slides to different languages as well.
Save
How can I convert my PowerPoint file into a JPEG or PDF file?
With the Smarter Slides Save functions you can save a copy of your presentation in PDF or JPEG file formats. Just select the save option "JPEG" or "PDF", define a file path and save your presentation.
Is it possible to change the prefix of the file name?
Yes, you can change the name of the target file as you like. Select one of the predefined pre- and postfixes or enter your own text.
Can I save my PowerPoint slides into separate files?
Yes, you can save your presentation slides all together or each slide individually.
Smarter Templates
Can I use the Smarter Template Gallery also offline?
Yes, you can use the template gallery from everywhere.
What kind of templates are included?
In the template gallery are all kinds of different shapes, formations or processes included. Insert organigram-, cube-, puzzle-, cycle- and map-templates onto your PowerPoint slide. Smarter Slides is always under development - Look forward to other amazing and included PowerPoint templates.
I want to change the color of the templates. How can I achieve this?
You can define your personal custom color for your templates within the admin panel of Smarter Slides. Choose your favorite colors and enjoy the automatically adjustments of the Smarter Templates.
Agenda
How can I insert an agenda in PowerPoint?
With the Smarter Slides PowerPoint add-in, you can insert an agenda with just a few clicks. Go to the Smarter Organize ribbon and select "Agenda". With the Agenda Manager you can easily style the layout and insert your agenda.
Can I update the agenda titles?
Yes, if you change a slide title you can update the agenda and the modified title will be populated automatically. You can also change the titles according to your needs.
How many agenda styles are included?
Currently you can choose between five different agenda layouts. If you have a new layout idea, please contact us and we are going to include the style in the next update!
Can I define default colors for my agenda?
Yes, you can select the default colors for your agenda (and everything else, too) in the Smarter Slides admin panel.
Mini Slides
What are Mini Slides?
Mini Slides are images of slides with an integrated hyperlink to the original slide. They can be used as navigation gadget or instead of an agenda.
How many Mini Slides can I insert?
You can insert up to 24 Mini Slides on one Slide and up to 144 Mini Slides in total.
Progress Bar
Do I have to reinsert the progress bar after I've made changes to the slide order?
No, with the update function you can refresh the progress bar and the slide progress without adjusting anything.
Slide Status
What is a Slide Status?
A slide status refers to the content of the slide. It indicated if you are reading a draft or already the final version.
Can I hide the status tags?
Yes, you can show and hide the status tags of the PowerPoint slides as you want. Change or remove the slide status after changes.
How can I add a custom slide status?
You can add a custom slide status in the Custom Settings.
Tag Objects
What are tags in PowerPoint?
Tags are invisible elements sticking on every object. With the Smarter Slides tag function, you can use these tags to hide or show the tagged objects or you can format every object with this tag. Tag will not be visible for the any other person (except the other person is using Smarter Slides as well).
Why should I use tags?
You should use tags when you want to cluster your objects without formatting them differently. Hide or show the tagged elements or format every object within the tag.
Spell Check
Is the language changed for every object in my PowerPoint presentation?
Yes, with this Smarter Slides function the spell check language changes for the whole presentation. There is no need to switch every object on its own.
Track Changes
Can I track the changes of my colleagues?
Yes, you can track every text change of the PowerPoint presentation. It doesn't matter who, where and when the presentation is modified - if you activated the tracker before you send the file to someone else the changes are tracked.
Are size and position changes are also tracked?
No, only text changes are included.
External
How do I search for a keyword with PowerPoint?
You can search for a keyword with PowerPoint with one click at the Google or Wikipedia-Icon in Smarter Organize. Just select the word you are searching for and hit the button.
Fast Wizard
I use different fonts in my PowerPoint presentation and want to reduce it to one. Is that possible?
Yes, you can either use the Replace Font function or you can align the font with the Fast Wizard.
Expert Wizard
How does the Expert Wizard work?
The Expert Wizard works with a simple idea. Select an object and apply the format of the selected objects to other objects fulfilling a certain kind of criteria. Example: Choose one rectangle in your presentation and copy the color to all other rectangles. Practical example: In your presentation is a white box used as an overlay over a hidden information. You need this information visible in the next meeting. Select one box, choose "Same color" and "Same shape" and delete all white overlay boxes in your presentation with a single click.
Can I use tags to identify the objects?
Yes, you can tag a certain kind of object and format every object with the same tag in the same style.
Format Picker
Are the copied format settings saved?
Yes, when you copy a format to another object the format is saved until you either start a new PowerPoint session or copy another format.
What copy options are available?
You can copy the style of every format. Choose between various painter options such as all format settings, shape format, rotation, shape effects, 3D format, fill format, fill color, fill transparency, outline format, outline color, outline weight, outline style, outline transparency, font format, font, font size, font color, font style, text format, horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, internal margin, bullets or numbering, line spacing and text direction.
Color Picker
Can I copy the outline color as a background color?
Yes, you can save the outline color of one object and paste it as the background to another object.
Are the copied color settings saved?
Yes, when you copy a color to another object the color is saved until you either start a new PowerPoint session or copy another color.
Size and Position Picker
Can I copy the position between two different PowerPoint slides?
Yes, the settings are saved in variables. Copy the size and/or the position of one object and insert it on another slide.
Are the copied size and position settings saved?
Yes, when you copy a size/position to another object the size/position is saved until you either start a new PowerPoint session or copy another size/position.
Distance Picker
Can I copy the distance to more than two objects?
Yes, you can copy the distance to more than two objects. Save a distance between two objects (no more, no less) and paste this distance to every object you are going to select (2 or more).
Is the distance saved?
Yes, the distance between two objects is saved if you work in the same PowerPoint session or until you copy the next distance.
Dynamic Size and Position
What is a master / child object?
The master object is the object which size or position is changed. After refreshing your dynamic position all child objects are placed into the defined relation to the master object.
Where can I use the dynamic position?
Dynamic position can be used for process flows. When you change the master object you can reposition all other objects and the flow is still working.
Replace Format
Is every color replaced by the selected replacement?
You can choose the target slides for your replacement. Apply the change to a selection of slides or to the whole presentation.
How can I identify what font or color I use in the presentation?
The replace functions of Smarter Slides identify the current used colors and fonts automatically. You can only replace what you already used.
Status Object
What kind of status symbols can I use?
Currently you can choose out of six different symbols: harvey ball, traffic light, progress bar, check, five stars, arrows, plus / minus and smileys
Can I change the status?
Yes, after you inserted a status object, you can change the design according to your project status.
Standard PPT Functions
Can I modify the functions in this section?
No, the default PowerPoint functions are defined by us. If you are missing an important one, please contact us.
Is there anything special about these functions?
No, these functions are the same as in the other PowerPoint ribbons. We think, that these functions don't need any update or change.
Other
I do not find the answer to my question. What can I do?
If you do not find the answer to your question here, get in contact with our Smarter Slides support team. Therefore, write us a mail to support@smarter-ones.com with a description of your problem and/or with some screenshots.
My company does not allow me to run any kind of macros on my device. Is there any other way to use Smarter Slides?
The Smarter Slides Add-In itself as well as the Smarter Slides Installation Wizard is fully based and programmed in VBA using macros. Therefore, you need to activate those to run Smarter Slides successfully. If your company does not allow you to run any kind of macros unfortunately you are not able to use Smarter Slides on this device.
I would like to request customized version of Smarter Slides. Who can I contact?
Write us a short mail with a description of what you would like to have customized or to request general information of customization options.