Live controls

Quick start

1. Click Start in present mode so the indicator shows Live.
2. Open at least one output from the bottom panel.
3. Use Next and Previous below the preview (or → / Space and ← on the keyboard) to advance slides.
4. If the current slide has variants, use the Preview variant dropdown to switch translations or versions.
5. For slides with video, use Play media / Pause media when media start is set to manual.
6. In service present, press Next on the last slide to advance to the next service item automatically.

You should now be controlling slides, variants, and media while outputs stay in sync.

Deep dive

Next and previous navigation

Below the slide preview, Previous and Next move through main slides (not variants). The counter shows Slide X of Y.

Keyboard shortcuts work when focus is not in a text field:

• → or Space — next slide
• ← — previous slide

You can also click any main slide thumbnail in the filmstrip to jump directly. Clicking a variant thumbnail previews that variant without changing the main slide index.

While Live, every navigation action syncs to open outputs and connected presenter views.

Last slide → next service item

In service present mode, pressing Next on the last slide of a service item automatically advances to the first slide of the next service item (if one exists). This only happens while Live.

In presentation present (single deck), Next is disabled on the last slide.

You can also click a different item in the service filmstrip to jump directly to that presentation while live. Use the filmstrip ⋮ menu to edit a deck, change its screen layout, or reorder the setlist without leaving present — see Service present mode.

Editing while presenting

In both presentation and service present, toolbar Edit opens the presentation editor in a modal so you can fix slides without ending live or navigating away. In service present, you can also edit any setlist item from its filmstrip ⋮ menu.

Saves update open outputs while live. Close the modal (or click Done in the editor) to return to the operator console. See Presentation present mode and Presentation editor.

Content variants

Some slides have content variants — alternate translations, versions, or arrangements of the same slide. Variants appear in the filmstrip grouped under their main slide with letter labels (A, B, C…).

To preview or switch variants:

• Click a variant thumbnail in the filmstrip.
• Use the Preview variant dropdown above the preview when variants exist for the current slide.

While live, changing the variant updates all outputs to show that version. The main slide number stays the same.

Media and video playback

Slides can include video elements and audio. Behavior depends on the media start mode:

Mode	Behavior
Automatic	Video and slide audio start when you land on the slide
Manual	You press Play media or Play audio to start

Before or during live, use Override media start for this session in the bottom panel to choose Layout default, Manual, or Automatic. Background videos always play automatically regardless of this setting.

While live on a manual-start slide with video:

• A large Play / Pause button appears on the preview.
• A media control bar below the preview offers Play media / Pause media.
• Ready X/Y outputs shows how many output windows are ready to play.

Audio: operator vs outputs

The operator preview in present mode is muted — you control playback but do not hear audio through the preview speakers.

Open outputs play audio to the audience. Use Play audio / Pause audio to control:

• Slide audio — audio attached to the current slide.
• Background audio — presentation-level background music or ambience.

The control bar shows which type is active.

Service automation timer

In service present, items can have automation enabled — auto-advance after a timed duration on each slide.

While live on an automated item, the toolbar shows:

• Auto / Auto paused status badge
• Pause auto / Resume auto toggle
• Minutes and seconds fields with Apply to change the slide duration
• A countdown dial on the preview for timed slides

Automation is configured per service item in Service item automation. This article covers running automation live, not setting it up.

When the timer reaches zero, WorshipDeck advances to the next slide (or the next service item on the last slide).

Pause automation temporarily if you need to speak longer on a slide. Resume when ready.

Annotations while live

When live, the annotation toolbar below the preview lets you draw, use a laser pointer, and clear markings. Annotations appear on audience outputs, not only your preview. Drawings clear when you change slides or end live.

See Presentation present mode for annotation tool details.

Realtime sync

All live controls — navigation, variants, media, annotations — broadcast to every open output and connected presenter view in realtime. You do not need to refresh output windows.

Edits made from the present Edit modal (or filmstrip Edit) also sync to outputs after save.

If an output falls behind, close and reopen it from the screen grid.

Tips

• Rehearse variant switching before Sunday if your songs have multiple translations.
• Set media start mode before Start — the override dropdown appears when the current slide has video.
• In services, let Next flow naturally through the last slide instead of manually clicking the filmstrip.
• Use Edit for last-minute lyric or slide fixes without ending live.
• Pause automation during announcements or prayer, then resume for timed worship segments.
• Use keyboard shortcuts for hands-free advancing while speaking.

[!tip] The operator preview is for confidence — the congregation sees outputs. Always glance at an open output to confirm what they see, especially after switching variants.

Troubleshooting

Outputs do not advance when I click Next

• Confirm the presentation is Live (red indicator).
• Check that outputs are still open — browsers may close popups.
• Re-open screens from the bottom panel.

Video does not play on the projector

• Check Override media start — manual mode requires Play media.
• Confirm outputs are open and show Ready before playing.
• Background videos on the slide always auto-play on outputs.

I hear no audio in present mode

• The operator preview is intentionally muted. Audio plays on open outputs only.
• Use Play audio while live, or set media start to automatic.

Automation does not advance

• Confirm automation is enabled for the current service item (configured in Service item automation).
• Check that automation is not paused — look for Auto paused in the toolbar.
• Automation only runs while Live.

Variant change does not appear on outputs

• Confirm you are Live — preview-only variant changes do not sync.
• Wait a moment for realtime sync, then check the output window.

Next does not go to the next service item

• This only works in service present while Live.
• Confirm there is another item after the current one in the setlist.