Powerpoint Macro to change pointer color

Do you want to switch the colour of the mouse pointer or the colour of the highlight when you are drawing on the presentation?

I'm not sure if there is code for this but will investigate and test.

In the meantime you can try the following alternatives:

You can quickly change to the pen pointer to draw on the screen by pressing ctrl+p (command+p on Mac).
This should be a default of red. Press Esc to return to the mouse pointer. These options only work when the presentation is running.
This may bypass your issue.

You can also try enabling the option in your mouse settings to show its location when pressing the ctrl key. This will show a large circle that reduce in size to the tip of the pointer befre fading. This is on the pointer options tab in the mouse properties in Windows, I'm not sure if this is an option on the Mac though.

This may help with changing the mouse pointer to another icon:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/office/bb237557(v=office.12).aspx

If you mean the pen colour
You can use:
SlideShowWindows(1).View.PointerColor.RGB = RGB(0, 0, 255)

I have a PC so not sure this can be assigned to a hotkey on a Mac - It can't on a PC.

I would like to change the color of the pen (highlight) that is used while presenting. The code:

Sub BluePen()
SlideShowWindows(1).View.PointerColor.RGB = RGB(0, 0, 255)
End Sub

Does not run and produces an error code.

Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

Are you trying the code in show mode? It will only run in this mode (not edit)

If so what is the error message.

In edit mode you can change the default

ActivePresentation.SlideShowSettings.PointerColor.RGB = RGB(0, 0, 255)

I tried running it from within the VBA editor. Not sure how to attach the macro to a keyboard combo or button. The error is attached.

Many thanks!

As I said it cannot be run in that mode there are no SlideShowWindows - Hence SlideShowWindows Unknown Member!

You must run in show mode or use the alternative code I posted.

OK. Thanks. How would I activate the macro from the presentation session?

On a PC you would add a shape as a button and give it an action of run macro. On a Mac - no idea.

I've added a button to the toolbar, but can't see how to attach a macro to it, or how to access that button from the presentation itself.

I meant add a shape to the slide.

Demo

I was able to get that done, it is just the Macro that won't manipulate the pen's color. It will not even write at this point and a single mouse click just advances the slide instead of actually drawing.

Thanks for the help

Did you try the simple demo??

Yes. Same deal. The pointer turns into a pen, but does not write. Thanks.

No, sorry. Is this working for you on your end?

It is but on a PC!

Ok. I am trying this on a Mac (PPT 2011)

I'm sure I don't have to ask but you ARE holding down the mouse button when you "write"??

Yes. I am holding the mouse button down in an effort to write. That action advances the show to the next slide.

Thanks for all of the help with the question