Building complex custom animations in PPT is a frequent requirement here at CGI. Using the Selection Pane is a powerful tool that helps speed production. Remember using the Tab button to drill down to an object buried under multiple layers? Have you ever been frustrated by an animation sequence because you chose Picture 3 instead of Picture 2? Then you’ll love this feature.

In PowerPoint 2007 from the Home ribbon look for the Editing toolbar which includes Find, Replace and Select.

Open the drop down menu for select and choose Selection Pane.The Selection and Visibility task pane offers some powerful options.

Here you can assign a logical name to objects by double clicking on the name in the task bar. If I use two grouped shapes to create a mask effect I can name the Group to be “Mask”. It is good practice to assign names to objects as you build a presentation because updating an object name on slide 3 will not automatically update it throughout the presentation.

Do you need to edit a piece of text that is hidden behind other layers? In the Selection Pane choose Hide All at the bottom of the task bar and then click on the visibility box next to the object you want to edit. Make your change and select Show All at the bottom of the task bar.

Tired of using Send to Back, Bring Forward to get your layering right? When you choose Arrange you will find the Selection Pane option at the bottom of the menu. Open the Selection Pane and use the Re-order arrows to move the object into the correct position. Arranging your layers so that text peeks out from under “Mask” rather than on top will be simple to correct by reading your list of labeled objects.

Keep both the Selection pane and Custom Animation task pane open and you will fly through your animation sequences. “Grab” an object from the Selection pane and “Add an Effect” in the Custom Animation pane.

One more thing, just because you can animate objects faster now doesn’t mean you should. Be selective about adding drama to your presentation; you don’t want your audience reaching for the Dramamine!