PPT: Presentation Using Template Ignores Default Setting

If you format the default presentation (called Blank Presentation.pot in PowerPoint 7.0, and Default.ppt in PowerPoint 4.0) with a custom orientation and/or size, and save your changes, when you choose a new presentation with a specific template, the presentation does not use the new default slide settings.

To keep your custom slide setup, choose Blank Presentation, then add the desired template rather than selecting the Template option in the New Presentation dialog box.

On the File menu, click New, and then click Blank Presentation. The new presentation follows the default template. Click the Template button in the lower-right corner of the PowerPoint window, or click Presentation Template on the Format menu and select the desired template. The template is added without changing the desired orientation and size.

If you create a presentation based on a template, the size of the presentation is determined by the template. If you create a presentation based on the AutoContent Wizard, the size of the slide is determined by the Wizard.

PowerPoint uses the saved information in the default presentation file only when you choose the blank presentation option. `