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Tips

FAQ

Answers to general frequently asked questions for FreeShow.

Can I migrate from another program?

Yes! Click "File" in the top left, then "Import" and select your program, all the most common ones are supported.

How to import a PowerPoint presentation?

Currently you can select the PowerPoint option in "File">"Import" to import just the text, useful for lyrics. If you want the style of the presentation then you can import as PDF or images, make sure to convert the PPT file first.

Lastly if you need all the animations as well use PowerPoint to present (probably good to turn off "Always on top" in the "Outputs" settings in that case). Or if you are more advanced embed an online presentation using the website item.

Multilingual scriptures

This is possible with scripture collections.

Multilingual songs

FreeShow has integrated translation! Click the globe/translation button at the bottom of a show to automatically translate a song into another language! Choose from over 240 languages.

Videos are muted

By default if you drop one video into a show it will be treated as a background, meaning it's muted & looping by default, but you can change this. But by dropping more than one video, or dropping a video into your project it will be unmuted & not looping by default!

CCLI Integration?

Unfortunately CCLI has discontinued their API, meaning it's impossible for us to add integration. They still support programs that already has used their API, but are unwilling to collaborate with us. Read more here.

Cloud sync between two computers

Cloud sync is possible. FreeShow has a integrated support for syncing all the data files using Google Drive, this is completely free.

If you also want to sync media files as well, you will need to use a custom sync like OneDrive, the Google Drive desktop app or another free alternative. Read more here!

Can I controll FreeShow from custom software?

Yes, you can send MIDI signals to trigger actions, or use the Bitfocus Companion plugin, or set up your own API connection, using the FreeShow API!

Text style not showing up in output

This might mean that you have set a custom output style with a template that overrides the new style. To fix go to settings>"Styles", and take off any template set here. Optionally remove the style entirely from the output in "Outputs".

Right click does not work properly on macOS

A bug in some versions of macOS makes right clicking by pressing two fingers on the trackpad behave different to right clicking with Ctrl+trackpad or using an external mouse. Please resort to one of the two other alternatives if the first one does not work!

FreeShow keeps freezing

If you experience that the UI stops resonding to your clicks this is due to a bug in the code, please remember what you did just before this happened, and create a new issue about it on GitHub. And please also attach the error log file found in the settings>"Other">"Open log file". This will help us track down the issue and fix it!

Auto updates not working

You can update manually by downloading from the website. But to get auto updates working make sure the app has permissions to write the new files. On Windows you probably need to install/run as administrator.

Still need help?