Embedding a Powerpoint show into a C# application

Question

I want to be able to embed a powerpoint presentation into a C# form (WinForms). Basically we have a 52' monitor, and the idea is that in one corner we will have a PPT on loop, and then the other 3 corners will be displaying information from the program itself.

I had expected this to be straightforward, but it seems I am mistaken.

I had been advised to use the WebBrowser control, but this doesn't work and instead treats the powerpoint file as a download, i.e. gives me a "Save, Open" dialog.

Any suggestions?

AK

Answer 1

You can just run PowerPoint, get the windows handle, and set a new parent window using the SetParent function.

---

All you need is the name of the window class of the PowerPoint window, but thanks to Spy++, this is no big deal.

---

Here's a screenshot of PowerPoint running 'inside' of a custom application:

---

Full example (taken from here and modified for PowerPoint):

public partial class Form1 : Form
{
    public Form1()
    {
        this.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(800, 600);
        this.TopMost = true;
        this.Text = "My Application";
        this.FormBorderStyle = FormBorderStyle.FixedToolWindow;
        Func<bool> run = () =>
            Window.Find(hwnd =>
            {
                var cn = Window.GetClassName(hwnd);
                var res = (cn == "PPTFrameClass");
                if (res)
                {
                    this.Controls.Clear();
                    Window.SetParent(hwnd, this.Handle);
                    Window.SetWindowPos(hwnd, new IntPtr(0), -8, -30, this.Width + 10, this.Height + 37, 0x0040);
                }
                return res;
            });

        new Button { Parent = this, Text = "Start" }
            .Click += (s, e) =>
            {
                if (run() == false)
                    MessageBox.Show("Open PowerPoint");
            };
    }
}

public static class Window
{
    public static bool Find(Func<IntPtr, bool> fn)
    {
        return EnumWindows((hwnd, lp) => !fn(hwnd), 0) == 0;
    }
    public static string GetClassName(IntPtr hwnd)
    {
        var sb = new StringBuilder(1024);
        GetClassName(hwnd, sb, sb.Capacity);
        return sb.ToString();
    }
    public static uint GetProcessId(IntPtr hwnd)     // {0:X8}
    {
        uint pid;
        GetWindowThreadProcessId(hwnd, out pid);
        return pid;
    }
    public static string GetText(IntPtr hwnd)
    {
        var sb = new StringBuilder(1024);
        GetWindowText(hwnd, sb, sb.Capacity);
        return sb.ToString();
    }

    delegate bool CallBackPtr(IntPtr hwnd, int lParam);

    [DllImport("user32.dll")]
    static extern int EnumWindows(CallBackPtr callPtr, int lPar);

    [DllImport("user32.dll")]
    static extern uint GetWindowThreadProcessId(IntPtr hWnd, out uint lpdwProcessId);

    [DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto, SetLastError = true)]
    static extern int GetWindowText(IntPtr hWnd, StringBuilder lpString, int nMaxCount);

    [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]
    static extern int GetClassName(IntPtr hWnd, StringBuilder lpClassName, int nMaxCount);

    [DllImport("User32", CharSet = CharSet.Auto, ExactSpelling = true)]
    public static extern IntPtr SetParent(IntPtr hWndChild, IntPtr hWndParent);

    [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
    public static extern bool SetWindowPos(IntPtr hWnd, IntPtr hWndInsertAfter, int X, int Y, int W, int H, uint uFlags);
}