Modify 4x3 Slideshow Background for Widescreen

Question

Can I change the background color in Slideshow View from black to something custom? (not referring to the slide background) This is specific to projecting 4x3 presentation on 16x9 monitors where the vertical black bars appear. Would like to customize this dead space so a new template does not have to be created and multiple files maintained for widescreen use AND still visually fill screen without stretching screen. Much like you'd see on an HD TV broadcast with 4x3 source ratio.

Answer 1

>> Can I change the background color in Slideshow View from black to something custom? (not referring to the slide background) This is specific to projecting 4x3 presentation on 16x9 monitors where the vertical black bars appear.

No, those will always be black.

Have a look here though:

Make screenshow fill a wide screen display

http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00566.htm

Answer 2

:-(

It would have been so much easier if we could simply choose a background color,  no matter what the screen size...

Answer 3

Thank you for the response. I had seen that page and may try the code route - was hoping there was an easier way to implement on a regular basis without major re-work of a presentation or programming.