# Multiple Text Placeholders in PPT Notes Master

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-text-placeholders-in-ppt-notes-master/544116>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 22, 2010, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-text-placeholders-in-ppt-notes-master/544116 "2010-06-22T13:21:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![atlantic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/46a35a/32.png) [@atlantic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atlantic)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-text-placeholders-in-ppt-notes-master/544116/1 "2010-06-22T13:21:03Z")

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Is it possible to add more than one text placeholder on a PowerPoint Notes Master slide? I’m laying out a slide deck template and the notes page has three different sections. I’d like to have a placeholder for each section on the Notes Master, but when I copy & paste the existing “body” placeholder, it turns into a text box which isn’t editable once you switch over to Notes view.

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**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2010, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-text-placeholders-in-ppt-notes-master/544116/2 "2010-06-23T00:32:02Z")

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What version and platform of PPT are you using?

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**Author:** ![atlantic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/46a35a/32.png) [@atlantic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atlantic)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-text-placeholders-in-ppt-notes-master/544116/3 "2010-06-23T13:09:52Z")

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I’m using Office 2007 on Windows XP … I’ve temporarily put text boxes on all the individual Notes pages, but would like to have them as part of the Master, if possible.

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**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-text-placeholders-in-ppt-notes-master/544116/4 "2010-06-23T18:29:02Z")

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Not in that version, unfortunately. MacOffice2008 and WinOffice2010 will do it. The feature is called “custom placeholders” if you want to check it out.

But, you can work around the limitation in 2007 if you want to make a custom template using custom layouts and then apply that template. I don’t remember off the top of my head if that will work on Notes Masters, however. [This](http://ezinearticles.com/?PowerPoint-Tip---Create-a-Custom-Layout&id=723939) should point you in the right direction.