DataPoint from PresentationPoint simplifies the process of linking to Excel, a text file such as a CSV, or database files.
Image courtesy of PresentationPoint.
By linking to the source of information, you get automatic, updated information every time you open a slide show.
Installed as a PowerPoint add-on, DataPoint adds a menu to PowerPoint with commands to create and maintain links to external data sources.
Use DataPoint Viewer to run the slides on any computer without the add-on or to distribute the slide show to people without the DataPoint add-on.
Show the presentation off-line by temporarily unlinking the show from the data source.
The table below indicates the features of the three versions of DataPoint.
| DataPoint 1.1 |
Viewer |
Standard Edition |
Enterprise Edition |
| Single data refresh at startup |
X |
|
|
| Automatic refresh of data (dynamic presentation) |
|
X |
X |
| Design DataPoint presentations, create and edit connections |
|
X |
X |
| Generate offline presentations * |
|
X |
X |
| Create presentations for DataPoint Viewer |
|
|
X |
| Create presentations for MessagePoint Enterprise Edition |
|
|
X |
| * disconnects your presentation from the data sources for external distribution (no DataPoint needed to view) |
| Connections |
|
|
|
| Databases (e.g. MS Access, MS SQL Server, Oracle) |
X |
X |
X |
| Excel worksheets |
X |
X |
X |
| Text files |
X |
X |
X |
Platforms and requirements
- Platform: Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT4, ME, 2000 and XP
- PowerPoint Version: PowerPoint 2000, 2002 and 2003
- 20 MB free disk space
- US$219
Download the free 15-day trial of DataPoint
Read Microsoft PowerPoint MVP Geetesh Bajaj's interview with Kurt Dupont of DataPoint and learn why Geetesh recommends DataPoint.
