Sequential Save Add-in for PowerPoint

The original idea comes from Austin Myers, PowerPoint MVP who made a request for this add-in. The idea is to create a backup of your file every time you click on the Sequential Save button. This add-in will add a button to the Standard toolbar, every time you click on that button, it will create a backup of the last saved version on the disk and then will save the existing file. You can either create a single backup file or multiple sequential backups. The add-in does not delete any presentation nor does it change the original presentation in any manner.

A presentation has some changes that need to be saved to the disk. You click on the sequential save button. This is what happens behind the scenes after you click the button:

2. A copy of this presentation that exists on the disk (the one without the new changes) is opened and saved using the name (based on the choices made in the options dialog) and closed.

3. If step 2 completes successfully then the presentation that is currently open (the presentation with changes) is saved to the disk overwriting the existing presentation.

In this manner backup copy of the presentation is always retained prior to committing the changes made in the current session, thereby reducing the chances of losing a presentation due to corruption.

Version Supported

PowerPoint 97 or later

Download

Click here (Freeware)

Installation

1. Extract the contents of the zip to a folder.
2. Launch PowerPoint.
3. Click on Tools | Add-ins to bring up the add-ins window.
4. Click on Add to bring up the 'Add New PowerPoint Add-in' dialog box.
5. Navigate to the folder where the contents of the zip file was extracted and select 'SeqSave.ppa' and click on OK.
6. You might be prompted with the macro virus warning. Enable the macros. When the Add-in is properly loaded, it will display a tick against the add-in name.
7. That's it. You have successfully loaded the add-in.

Note: If you are unable to load the add-in in PowerPoint 2000 or later versions, check the macro settings (Tools | Macros | Security) and change it to Medium.

How to:
1. Select Tools | Macros | Security on the security level tab, check MEDIUM.
2. Click on OK
3. Now load the Add-in as per the instructions.
4. Once the add-in has been loaded you can set the Security level back to HIGH

Usage

Configure Sequential Save add-in:

1. Select 'Tools | Sequential Save | Sequential Save Options...', to bring up the dialog shown below.

2. Set the desired options.

How to perform a sequential save.

Just click on the Sequential Save button, placed next to the Save button the Standard toolbar and the add-in will create a backup based on the options selected.