# ProPresenter Quick Start Guide: Essential Tips for Worship Service Volunteers If you've just been asked to run lyrics and slides for your church's worship service using ProPresenter, the software can feel overwhelming at first. But don't worry—with a solid understanding of the basics, you'll be confidently operating ProPresenter in no time. ## Understanding the User Interface The first step to mastering ProPresenter is getting familiar with its interface. With multiple buttons, screens, and controls, it's easy to feel intimidated. Let's break down the essential elements you need to know. ### Master the Clear Controls On the right side of your screen, you'll find the preview window showing your audience screens—what the congregation and potentially online viewers will see. Just above this preview are some of the most important controls in ProPresenter: the clear buttons. The **Clear All** button (marked with an X) is your emergency reset. If something goes wrong or the wrong content appears on screen, hitting this button will make everything go black, giving you a fresh start. ProPresenter works in layers, similar to a layered cake. From bottom to top, these layers include: - Video input - Media (background videos) - Slide layer (text and lyrics) - Announcements - Props - Messages - Audio When content is active, you'll see red boxes indicating which layers are in use. Instead of clearing everything, you can clear individual layers using the specific clear buttons. For example, if you want to remove just the lyrics but keep the background video, simply click the clear slide content button. To remove the background while keeping lyrics, use the clear media button. ## Navigating the Show Layout The show layout is where you'll spend most of your time. This area displays all your slides, songs, sermon content, and other prepared materials. If you don't see your slides, make sure you've pressed the **Show button** (the play icon)—sometimes ProPresenter defaults to edit mode instead. You can customize your view by adjusting the slider at the bottom to make slides larger or smaller, making it easier to read the text and navigate your content. ### Operating Song Slides Like a Pro When advancing through worship songs, use the arrow keys on your keyboard for smooth transitions. Here's a crucial tip: advance to the next slide slightly before the congregation needs to sing those words. A good rule of thumb is to transition around the second-to-last word of a line. This gives people time to read ahead and know what's coming next. For fast-paced songs, you'll need to advance slides even more quickly. This is why it's essential to familiarize yourself with the songs before rehearsal or Sunday service. Knowing the lyrics and pacing will make you a more effective operator. ## Working with Media and Backgrounds Want to change background videos or images on the fly? Click the **Media button** at the top of the interface to open your media bin at the bottom of the screen. Here you can preview and select different backgrounds while keeping the same lyrics on screen. You can zoom in to see larger previews of your media options and toggle between different media playlists that have been set up in your system. If backgrounds suddenly disappear, this is the first place to check. ## Libraries and Playlists On the left side of ProPresenter, you'll find your library and playlists. The library contains all available presentations and songs, while a playlist is a curated collection for a specific service—usually Sunday morning. Your playlist should already be configured with headers (which can sync with Planning Center Online), songs, and sermon content. This provides a quick way to jump between different parts of your service without scrolling through individual slides. ## Advanced Features: Macros and Bins As you become more comfortable with ProPresenter, you'll encounter **macros**—bundled commands that execute multiple actions with a single click. These can control lighting scenes, audio cues, screen configurations, and more. You might notice a yellow icon on certain slides indicating a macro is attached. Right-clicking on any slide will show you what actions or macros are associated with it. If unexpected things happen when you click a slide, this is where you'll find the explanation. Other useful bins include: - **Audio bin**: Houses pre- and post-service music, perfect for creating smooth transitions as people arrive or leave - **Props and Messages**: For additional visual elements - **Timers**: For keeping track of service timing - **Stage looks**: For managing different screen configurations ## Troubleshooting and Best Practices Even experienced operators run into issues occasionally. If something isn't working as expected—you're clicking but nothing appears on screen—try this simple solution first: quit and restart ProPresenter. The software is powerful but not perfect, and a quick restart often resolves many issues before you need to contact support. **Important warning**: If you see an update prompt when opening ProPresenter, especially on Sunday morning, click "No" and ignore it. Never update the software right before a service. Let the person who configured your system handle updates at an appropriate time. ## Putting It All Together ProPresenter may seem complex at first, but focusing on these fundamentals will help you serve your ministry effectively: 1. Master the clear controls for quick fixes 2. Use keyboard arrows for smooth slide transitions 3. Advance lyrics before the congregation needs to sing them 4. Familiarize yourself with songs beforehand 5. Know where to find media and playlists 6. Understand what macros do in your specific setup 7. Restart the application when troubleshooting 8. Never update before a service With practice, these operations will become second nature, allowing you to focus less on the technology and more on supporting your worship experience. Take time to explore the interface, ask questions to your church's ProPresenter administrator, and don't be afraid to practice during the week. Your role as a ProPresenter operator is vital to creating a seamless worship experience. With these tips in your toolkit, you're well on your way to confident, effective operation.