PPT97: Using Command-Line Switches with Playlist Files

ID: Q176678

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows

SUMMARY

Playlist files are text files that contain a list of PowerPoint presentations. They have an .LST file extension. These files allow the PowerPoint viewer to play multiple slide shows in order.

Additionally, the Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer 97 supports command line switches when started from the Run dialog box or started from a Windows 95 shortcut link file. The following article describes the commmand-line switches that you can use within a playlist file.

MORE INFORMATION

Command lines should be of the following format:

   ppview32.exe [command-line switches] "<path\powerpnt file name>"

The following command-line parameters are supported:

   Automatic advance      /A or /a
   Slide range            /R=n-m or /r=n-m where n<=m
   Loop continuously      /L or /l
   Print                  /P or /p for printing file
   Kiosk password         /K or /k for setting a kiosk mode for file
   Macro virus dialog box /V or /v for showing the macro virus dialog box

Playlist files used with the Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer 97 do not recognize switches when opened at the command-line. However, you can use command line switches within the playlist file using the format below.

To apply a switch to individual files, use this format:

   [switch] <path\filename>
   [switch] <path\filename>
   ...
   [switch] <path\filename>

This example loops a presentation until the ESC key is pressed, and then moves to the next presentation and loops it:

   /L PRES1.PPT
   /L PRES2.PPT
   ...
   /L PRESx.PPT

To apply a switch across a group of files, use this format:

   [switch] "<path\filename>" "<path\filename>" ... "<path\filename>"

This example plays each presentation once, and then begins again after the last presentation has completed:

   /L "PRES1.PPT" "PRES2.PPT" ... "PRESx.PPT"

Not all command-line switches are available within playlist files. The following are switches supported within .LST files: /A, /R=N-M, /L, /K, and /V.

REFERENCES

For additional information on playlists, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q171681
   TITLE     : PPT97: How to Create a Playlist that Loops Continuously

   ARTICLE-ID: Q170801
   TITLE     : PPT97: How to Obtain PowerPoint Viewer 97

Additional query words: lst 98 How do I set a switch want in looping secure automate automatic

Keywords          : kbdta kbviewer
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Hardware          : x86
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: November 26, 1998