I try running a macro in word containing the line

Dim ppt As Powerpoint.Application

and I get the error message "Compile error: User-defined type not
defined"

I have tried this both on a machine running office 97 and on a machine
running office 2000

Is there anything I should make sure is installed beyond word and
powerpoint?
Is there something I should ensure I am including or referencing in
order to use a statement like the above?

Is there an FM I should consider R'ing that would be particularly
appropriate to this issue?

-Alice

Your missing a reference to the Powerpoint library.
In VBE choose menu: Tools | References

From the dialog, scroll down the listing until you catch up
with the Microsoft Powerpoint library, check this reference
and close the dialog.
The line shouldn't bug you anymore ...

Krgrds,
Perry