Proclaim has eleven different types of service items, plus audio recording cues. Each service item may include one or multiple slides, depending on its content. You can add any service item from the Add Item menu.
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Group Service Items
Grouping similar service items is a convenient way to simplify the view of your entire presentation, creating a streamlined order of service. Service item groups are different from the pre-/post-service loops, warm-up, and service sections, and allow you to create a flexible scheme for your service outline.
1. Select service items.
A group can be created in either Edit or Preview mode. Click the first item in your desired group. Hold Shift and click the last item in your desired group.
2. Group items.
Right-click your selected items and select Group. Enter a name for your group, like Song Set or Announcements.
Note: A group inherits the behavior of the service section it is in. For example, if your group is in the pre-service loop the items advance automatically, but they do not in the service section.
3. Work with the Group.
Collapse or Expand Groups
Click the triangle to the left of the group name to expand or collapse it.
Note: When navigating your presentation, Proclaim automatically expands a group when any slide in the group is selected.
Add to a Group
To add an existing service item to a group, drag and drop the item into your desired location in the group. If the item is directly before or after the group, drop it to a place within the group, and then drag it to the beginning or end of the group.
Remove a Group
Right-click the group name and select Ungroup; this does not delete the service items in the group. If you want to delete an entire group and its items, click the group name and press Delete.
Apply a change to a Group
In Edit mode, click the group name. Make your desired changes (e.g. background, font, transition, etc.), and Proclaim applies them to the entire group. Learn more about applying a single style to multiple items.
Note: If your group contains mixed items, such as songs and On Screen Bible, group editing options are limited.
Repeat Service Items
Repeating a service item allows you to create an automatic loop for an item in the Service section of your presentation. Adding a repeat provides a level of automation that is not inherent in the Service section by default.
Note: This feature is available for Content and Image Slideshow service items and requires the item to have multiple slides. Video items have a separate, but similar ‘loop continuously’ option.
With Proclaim in Edit mode, select the service item you want to repeat, ensure it has multiple slides, and check the box labelled Auto advance every [3] seconds. This activates the Repeat option. Check the box to the left of Repeat to apply this setting. Click the number in the auto-advance option to adjust the display timing. Learn more about customizing slide transition times. To repeat a video item, select Loop continuously.
Pro Tip: To repeat a verse or Scripture passage, add a Content item and enter the Scripture reference within double brackets (e.g. [[John 14:1–6]]).
Suggested Applications for Repeating Items
Consider using the Repeat feature in these situations:
- Display a set of pictures to loop while you are speaking.
- Create a looping presentation for digital signage.
- During a break in class or seminar presentation, display a looping series of images or announcements until you resume the presentation.
- Create a series of prompts that loop during a time of prayer.
Repeating Items vs. Pre/Post Service Loop
Repeating a service item is similar to the pre/post-service loop with some notable differences.
- The pre/post service loop can be a set of mixed service items. The Repeat feature is only applicable to a single item at a time.
- Proclaim automatically sets the default timing scheme for the pre/post-service loops based on the number of service items. When you repeat a service item, you manually select the display time for the selected item. (Learn more about customizing your slide transition times.)
- The pre-service loop ends automatically at your selected service time. When you repeat an item, it loops indefinitely until you manually navigate to the next item.
Note: Learn more about the sections in the Order of Service.
Delete Service Items
You can delete a service item by right-clicking it in the order of service panel.
1. Select item(s).
Select a service item in the order of service panel. Select multiple non-adjacent items with Ctrl + click for Windows (⌘CMD + click for Mac) or an adjacent series by holding Shift and clicking the first and last slides in the series.
2. Delete the item(s).
Press the Delete key (**⌘CMD + Delete ** on a Mac) or Right-click and select Delete.
3. Restore deleted item(s).
To restore a deleted service item click on any item in the order of service panel and:
- Right-click on any order of service item and select Undo
OR - Expand the Edit menu and select Undo
OR - Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac)
To expedite the process of creating a presentation for a future service, we suggest duplicating a presentation with File>Duplicate then choosing a previous service. You would then need to change the date in the calendar as well as the line above it to avoid any further confusion.
Note: Learn more about undo/redo options in Proclaim.