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Multi-tasking with Presenter

November 26, 2025
Hello all,
This is my first post, so please forgive me if it has been answered elsewhere, but I have searched the Docs and the Forum, but can't find an answer to my specific problem.
We are preparing for our Christmas Carol Service and this will be the first time using Presenter. In previous years, I have been able to run two programs that output from my laptop to the projector. When I switched between the programs, whatever was on the "Preview" screen of either program, was sent to the projector.
Now, when I try and do the same with Presenter, it works one way, but not the other. For example, if I am in Presenter and display to the main screen through the projector, and then switch to the other software, the main screen display changes. But, if I try the reverse, so I can project from Presenter, the image from the other software is still on display.
The only work around I have found, is in the "Screen Configuration" icon in the top right, is to turn off and then back on the Main Display.
Surely, that cannot be right. Am I missing something?
We are running Presenter on our laptop with a single feed out to the projector. Sorry for the long post.

Tim
New Life Church
Nerja
Spain
Posted by Tim
November 26, 2025
Presenter works a little differently than other programs you may have used. It manages its own outputs, so switching between Presenter and another application won’t automatically update the projector feed.
To ensure Presenter displays correctly:
- Set your computer to Extended Desktop mode so Presenter can send content directly to the projector.
- When another program takes over the projector, Presenter won’t automatically reclaim it. To return control, use the Screen Configuration icon and toggle the Main Display back on.
- This is the expected workflow—Presenter relies on its Screens and Displays settings to manage outputs.
Posted by Tony
November 27, 2025
Good morning Tony and thank you for your speedy response.
We have our laptop set up as you described and after having some "quiet time" yesterday afternoon, I had worked out what I needed to do when making the switch between the two pieces of software we will use for the service. I understand your explanation and I can see it has "pro's and con's", but it is what it is, and I now know how to switch.
My next question then is, when toggling the Main Display back on, it defaults to a black screen, and then I have to select an item in the service itinerary to make that appear on the congregation screen. This causes the audience to see the image being projected by the other software (as you mentioned above) then the Presenter black screen for a couple of seconds, then the next item in the Presenter service.
Is there a way of changing the default black screen of Presenter when toggling the main display back on to another image?

Tim
Posted by Tim
November 27, 2025
My question is what software are you switching to? You can include PowerPoint/Google Slide files, and videos, both downloaded and streamed, into your order of service. If they are in the OOS, obviously you don't need to switch away from Presenter.
Posted by Paul
November 27, 2025
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your reply.
We are a very small church without a worship band so we use iSingWorship which plays audio and displays lyrics on the screen for the congregation.
As I said up above, when I switch from Presenter to iSingWorship, the transition works perfectly, but not the other way round. I have worked out how Presenter has to have the Main Display turned on when switching.
So my question remains, can I change the default black screen that Presenter displays during the switch.
Sorry to labour the point, but I like to see "smooth" transitions.

Tim
Posted by Tim
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