Add a few images—a photo here, an illustration there—and the size of your PowerPoint presentation can become huge. You could compress images manually, but there's a simpler way. If you are using Microsoft PowerPoint version 2002 with Windows XP or a Mac with MS PowerPoint 2001, you can compress your files by nearly 90 percent, which makes them more manageable for editing, copying, and presenting.

In the Windows XP version, there are several ways to find the Compress Pictures feature.
Here are two:
On the Picture toolbar, click the Compress Pictures button. If you don't see the Picture toolbar, point to Toolbars on the View menu, and then click Picture. Or, right click on a photo in the file. Select Format Picture. Press the Compress button on the lower left.

• To compress all pictures in the presentation, click All pictures in document.
• Under Change resolution, select how you intend to use your presentation by clicking either Web/Screen or Print.
• To further reduce file size, select the Delete cropped areas of pictures check box.
• Click OK.

Note: If you compress pictures or delete the cropped areas, you won't be able to restore your pictures to their original resolution or size. This tip also works in Microsoft Word version 2002. It is a good idea to make sure you save your new compressed version as a separate filename, retaining the original file as an archive file.

On the Mac using MS PowerPoint 2001, when you save the PowerPoint file, there's an Options button on the lower right section of the window.

Click Options and it will take you to a second window where you can adjust the resolution and compress the files.

A dpi setting of 72–96 will work well for your typical presentation. Remember, save your new compressed version under another file name so you have the option of using the uncompressed version to preserve your uncompressed and uncropped photos.

Remember that you can also save individual slides. If your presentation contains a few slides that require higher quality or more colors, save them with different settings than the rest of your presentation. This can reduce the overall size of your presentation when it is stored on your hard drive or removable media.

• Choose Save As from the File menu
• Choose the file format of JPEG or GIF
• Then, click the Options button
• In the Save Files as Graphic Files section, choose the Radio button for either saving current slide only or every slide.
• Choose your dpi output (72 for web or presentations, 150 or 300 for print)
• Check the Compress Graphics Files box, then you can choose your Image Quality.
• Then click the Save button
• The PowerPoint Office Assistant will tell you where the folder it created with your saved files is located.