PPT2002: Pictures Pasted with Excel Table Don't Scale Correctly and Misalign the Table (285422)

SYMPTOMS

When you paste a combination of cells and other objects, such as pictures or drawing objects, from Microsoft Excel into Microsoft PowerPoint, the pictures may not retain their original size and position relative to the cells. In addition, the text in the resulting table rows and columns may not be aligned properly.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because, by default, the group of cells (which are treated as a table) and other objects are pasted as separate elements. The table is resized to fit the slide, and then the other objects are positioned relative to the position and dimensions of the resized table.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, follow these steps to change the way the table and pictures are pasted into PowerPoint:

Paste the selection from Excel into PowerPoint.
Position the mouse pointer over the smart tag Paste Options button, and then click the arrow.
On the Paste Options shortcut menu, click Excel Table or Picture of Table.

By selecting Excel Table, you embed the entire workbook in the presentation, which allows you to edit the workbook and the AutoShapes later as needed. By selecting Picture of Table, you create a picture of the selected area of the spreadsheet and the AutoShapes.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.