Hi All

maryjos' thread on Running a PPT Automatically really made me dive into PowerPoint using C# and Visual Studio Tools for Office. As it turns out, that particular problem doesn't need Visual Studio Tools for Office.

But I noticed just how much you can do with PowerPoint using VSTO.

I built a proof-of-concept PowerPoint Add-In that allows for the quick insertion of scripture verses and song lyrics.


Notice the new tool-bar created by the add-in (no icons yet):

1 - PowerPoint.PNG

Click the Insert Verse Slide button pops up a scripture selection. Only 3 verses in KJV but I build a rudimentry Bible engine that could accept scriptures from a variety of translations in XML and Access formats. Accepts variations on the books (eg: Deuterocanonical books in some translations).

2 - Insert Verse Slide.PNG

And here is the verse slide. Yeah, not very exciting formatting wise, is it? But it beats the copy/paste/sanitize-format process I have to go through copying off the internet.

3 - Verse Inserted.PNG

Or get ready and paste a verse at your cursor location.

4 - Paste Verse.PNG

5 - Paste Verse at Cursor.PNG

I played with USR files on CCLI. Man, I still don't understand why every worship software out there passes up USR files and insists on using a web browser and "screen scraping". Every time CCLI changes all the programs mess up.

6 - Insert Song.PNG

And here is 12 verses inserted in under 1 second. Again, the formatting is bland. It should actually match the format of your slide master. Haven't tested it though.

7 - Song Inserted.PNG



For me, it was just a "what-if?" time of "Stupid PowerPoint Tricks". Does anyone out there using PowerPoint see any value in developing this further? Or was it just a fun learning excercise?

I mean, I know of two churches that use PowerPoint and they spend 1 to 2 hours per service prepping the slide deck. How aggrivating is that?

I guess I need something to do while waiting for the next major release of the CD-Writing SDK so I can get back to the Kiosk.

- Shaun

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Feel free to help me parse XML Bibles in Worship Plus

Love the powerpoint toolbar!

I've been looking for something like this for a long time, keep up the good work!

I think this could be a decent little money making project for you. And I know I for one would be interested in reselling it.

Think of how many churches already have powerpoint. If this was say a $39 plug-in that they could show their volunteers how to use... man...

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~Phil Graves
Owner Out of the Mud Multimedia

Wanna read my blog?

If you don't mind C# code (just make a DLL), you're welcome to the Bible engine. It's simple but effective. At the very lease, the Bible insert functionality will be 100% free.

The words of Jesus are life!

At least it might get me a new laptop or ultimately pay for the CD-Writer SDK I need

Thanks, LeAnn. I'll look at making it more than just a proof-of-concept. Currently it works on PowerPoint 2003.

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For what it's worth, I tossed some "quick and easy" combo boxes on the toolbar.

Pick your translation, type in your scripture reference, and hit enter. BAM! Instant scripture slide.

combo.PNG

I'm working on making all of the translations flow the same way (1 John 3:16 rather than First John 3:16 or 1st John 3:16 as some translations do).

I'm also going to have a go at inserting multiple slides for, say, 1 Cor 13:1-4 or just 1 Cor 13.

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I too think this would really worth being "productized." If you could integrate it with something like the Online Bible as a scripture database and use Song Select Lyric service to get lyrics, it would be well worth a $40 plug-in!

I do have it working with Song Select USR files (if you click "Export" from the lyric screen it prompts you to download the USR file). USR files are great and easy to work with. I have no idea why the major players don't use them.

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The current beta of SSP does that. It will work with TXT or USR, as I understand it.
It was also available separately as a work around during the last Song Select debacle. It would turn the usr or txt into xml, which could be imported into SSP.

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Joel Osborn
Milton SDB Church
My Blog

You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body. - C. S. Lewis

What are these USR files I keep hearing about? They don't seem to be an option in the UK version of SongSelect - I just click on "Save" near the top of the screen and it immediately prompts me to save the .txt file?

Richard

AFAIK, that's what comes down when you select export rather than download.

YMMV, because you drive on the other side of the road.

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Joel Osborn
Milton SDB Church
My Blog

You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body. - C. S. Lewis

Ah, it doesn't ask us about exporting or downloading, there's just a single button labelled "Save" which immediately starts downloading the .txt version.

I really don't understand why they have to have different versions of the site for different countries, but just now the MediaShout <-> SongSelect interface happens to be working for UK users so I'm not complaining.