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PowerPoint for Mac - Custom RGB values won't stick

Anonymous
2015-03-13T16:00:16+00:00

I'm currently trying to set up a PowerPoint template for a client, using their colors as a custom color theme. However, when I try to create my own colors using RGB values, they never seem to "stick." Meaning, when I input the numbers, and save the color, the color immediately changes, the RGB value itself changes. R0 becomes R18, G65 becomes G82, and it isn't always X above or X below the number I input either. The only workaround I've found is to each value individually, and save after each change. 

However, once the colors are all in and looking correct (by inputting one value at a time) and i try to use the theme, the colors are way off again. I understand some colors may visually appear differently, based on how colors are rendered. But that isn't the case here, as the actual RGB values are incorrect again.

Any ideas what might be going on, and how to fix it? Or any workarounds? This theme has many custom shapes, and I'd rather not have to rely on images for every shape. 

Thanks for any help!

Microsoft 365 and Office | PowerPoint | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-04-07T17:49:38+00:00

    Unfortunately, there hasn't been any more discussion. I think John K is right, in that it has more to do with Mac color profiles conflicting with microsoft powerpoint. Which isn't something I feel like messing with, solely to appease powerpoint.

    The only semi-solution i've found is to change each color individually, meaning change the R value, save. Change G value, save. Change B, save. Be sure to do this to the template master colors, so you're not stuck repeating this process with every headline.

    hope it helps, and good luck, I understand your hell. :)

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  2. John Korchok 232.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2015-04-07T18:04:13+00:00

    The workarounds for this are not terribly appealing.

    • You can either use an older Mac with an earlier OS. I use Snow Leopard on several machines and have no issues with setting RGB in PowerPoint.
    • You can install BootCamp or Parallels and run PowerPoint for Windows.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-03-14T16:02:01+00:00

    John, I appreciate your time and help with this issue. 

    Your steps are the steps I follow when building custom themes and colors. Unfortunately, my custom colors still change between setting and checking. Here's my exact process when creating custom templates:

    1. Build the base template in illustrator or photoshop. This gives me exact colors, shapes and placement when recreating inside PowerPoint. 
    2. Start with a new, blank document.
    3. Open slide masters to set up the various slide formats. 
    4. From the slide master toolbar, drop down Colors > then select Create theme colors.
    5. Set the various colors by double clicking each color square to open the color wheel/RGB input.
    6. Input specific RGB values using the RGB slider option, and select "ok"

    7. Re-open color square to check changes. This is where the issue occurs. For example, if I input R0 G65 B181 and click "ok," when I reopen the color, it now has the values R19 G149 B166. 

    From here, most everything else works as expected.

    Technical info:

    I am running PowerPoint for Mac 2011, version 14.4.8 on a MacBook Pro running OSX, version 10.10.1

    thanks.

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  4. John Korchok 232.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2015-03-13T21:28:05+00:00

    Start with creating a Color Theme. Please follow these steps:

    1. In PowerPoint, click on the DESIGN tab of the Ribbon, then click on the More button in the Variants group (The More button has a dash with a down-pointing arrowhead below).
    2. Choose Colors, then click on Customize Colors at the bottom of the Color Theme list.
    3. Set the RGB colours. Accents 1 through 6 will auto-fill charts.
    4. Give the color theme a name and click on Save.
    5. Apply the theme colors to text and shapes.

    To do a more in-depth template design, visit VIEW>Slide Master and apply the theme colors to the placeholders. This will ensure that new slides will automatically display text in the right hues.

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-03-14T14:18:21+00:00

    Thank John, I appreciate your feedback. However, my problem isn't with creating a custom color theme. It's with color values changing after I save them. :/

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