Search code examples
powerpointcolor-scheme

Powerpoint - want to define a color palette that is NOT a color scheme


I import Spotfire graphics into Powerpoint quite frequently. Spotfire has its own specific color palette, which aren't the standard colors used in powerpoint, at least I don't think so.

I often must create my own legend or for other reasons match the spotfire color palette, and I do this by entering the RGB codes for the spotfire colors. I would like to do this one time and have the spotfire color palette always available in powerpoint without having to re-type.

I do not think I want to use a color theme, because I want my colors to stay consistent if I end up using different templates (themes). That is, I don't want to call spotfire default blue "Accent 1", because if I change background templates (themes) I think it will overwrite Accent 1 with the new template's Accent 1.

So I want a color palette that is always available to me regardless of what theme I choose.

Any thoughts?


Solution

  • Because I was curious I decided to attempt to create a simple Add-In that will allow you to select a chart, series in the chart, and then apply colors.

    Screenshot of Add-in functionality

    You can download from Google Docs (revised link)

    https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1v0s8ldwHRYMFFPZ29FNmI0TkE/edit?usp=sharing

    The file is saved as a PPTM to expose the code modules. Save As a PPAM and load the Add-in; it will be available from the Add-Ins command bar. I have tested briefly and seems to be working.

    Here's the nuts & bolts of it:

    First declared several custom colors as Public Const variables. These can be modified using the long value (converted from RGB) to suit whatever you need.

    The macro requires that the selection be a Shape, and further that the Shape .HasChart = True. There is some logic to trap these conditions.

    A user form has a ComboBox that populates with a list of Series from the selected chart, and 8 CommandButtons colored for each of the defined colors, will send that color to the chosen series.

    You could add additional CommandButtons and colors as needed, or tweak the existing code to suit your specific needs.