Slides in a slide show presentation do not extend to the edges of the computer screen in PowerPoint 2003 or PowerPoint 2002 (912255)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002

SYMPTOMS

When you run a slide show presentation in Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 or in Microsoft PowerPoint 2002, the slides may not extend to the edges of the screen. A blank space may be displayed between the slide and the edges of the computer screen. This behavior occurs mostly when you run the slide show on a portable computer.

CAUSE

This behavior is a limitation of the display properties of the computer. Typically, this behavior occurs when the resolution that is configured for the desktop differs from the resolution of the slides. The video card does not stretch the slides to the edges of the screen.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, you must change the resolution of the slides in PowerPoint 2003 or in PowerPoint 2002 to match the resolution of the desktop. To do this, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Change the slide show resolution

  1. Start PowerPoint.
  2. On the Slide Show menu, click Set Up Show.
  3. In the Performance area, click [Use Current Resolution] in the Slide show resolution box, and then click OK.

Method 2: Change the desktop resolution

  1. Configure the desktop resolution to match the resolution that is configured in PowerPoint 2003 or in PowerPoint 2002. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.
    2. Click the Settings tab.
    3. In the Screen Resolution area, move the slider to set the required resolution. For example, to configure a resolution of 1024 x 768, move the slider until the resolution is displayed as1024 by 768 pixels.
    4. Click OK.
    5. If you receive a Compatibility Warning dialog box, click Apply the new display settings without restarting, and then click OK.
  2. Configure the screen size to match the desktop resolution.

    Note It may not be easy to configure the screen size on a portable computer. You may have to contact the portable-computer manufacturer to obtain a program with which to do this.

MORE INFORMATION

Typically, the video card scales the PowerPoint slide to fit the screen size. When the video card cannot do this, a blank space appears around the slide. Conversely, the slide may spill over the edges of the screen.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:1/11/2006
Keywords:kbtshoot kbprb KB912255 kbAudEndUser
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