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To show a Keynote presentation in a video call, play it in a window and share that window; to include it in a public broadcast, capture the Keynote window or display in OBS. In both cases, check the audience view before you begin so presenter notes and controls stay private unless you intend to show them.
Choose the right workflow
A video call and a public live broadcast need different sharing setups. In a call, use the conferencing app’s screen-sharing controls. For a public broadcast, add Keynote as a source in broadcasting software such as OBS.
| What you want to do | Recommended approach | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Present to people in a video call | Play Keynote in a window and share that window through the conferencing app. | Confirm the shared view does not include presenter notes or controls. |
| Include slides in a public broadcast | Capture the Keynote window, app, or display as an OBS source. | Check OBS’s preview and grant macOS Screen Recording permission. |
| Show both the presenter and slides in FaceTime | Use FaceTime’s Share Slideshow flow; on macOS Sonoma 14 or later, Apple documents Presenter Overlay. | Choose whether the presenter should appear with the presentation. |
Share Keynote in a video call on Mac
Apple’s Mac guidance covers playback and presenter controls, but the exact screen-sharing menu varies by conferencing app. Use that app’s current instructions for its specific controls. Apple’s Keynote guide explains the presentation options below.
- Choose playback mode. In Keynote, select Play > In Window to present in a movable window, or Play > In Fullscreen if your display arrangement calls for it. Windowed playback makes it easier to access other information on the Mac while presenting.
- Start the slideshow. Select Play > Play Slideshow. If you chose windowed playback, resize the slideshow window as needed.
- Share the presentation. Open the conferencing app’s Share menu and choose the Keynote slideshow window, or the appropriate display if you are presenting full-screen. The labels and options are controlled by the conferencing app.
- Protect presenter notes. If you need notes or next-slide controls, open Keynote’s presenter display and keep it outside the area you share. In Keynote, go to Keynote > Settings > Slideshow and uncheck Show presenter display window in other applications if you do not want other apps to display it. Apple cautions that some video-conferencing apps may still show the presenter display if it falls within the shared screen area, so inspect the audience view.
- Advance and finish. Use the left and right arrow keys to move through slides. When you are done, stop sharing with the conferencing app’s controls.
Put Keynote into an OBS broadcast on Mac
OBS’s macOS Screen Capture source can capture a whole display, an application, or one window. That means a capture card is not required for this Keynote workflow. Follow OBS’s macOS Screen Capture guide for current source details and permissions.
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- Play the deck in a window. In Keynote, use Play > In Window, then start the slideshow. A window is easier to isolate than a full display, though you can choose full-screen playback if your scene needs it.
- Add a capture source in OBS. In the scene you plan to stream, add a macOS Screen Capture source and select the relevant Keynote window, application, or display.
- Grant macOS permission. OBS needs Screen Recording permission to capture desktops, windows, and apps. macOS may require you to grant permission and reopen OBS before capture works. OBS lists Camera and Microphone permissions separately for camera and microphone sources.
- Compose and inspect the scene. Use OBS’s preview to frame the slide area and confirm that notes, menus, and presenter controls are not visible unless you want them on stream. Add any other scene sources you need.
- Check audio capability against macOS version. OBS documents audio capture through this source on macOS 13 and later. On macOS 12.3–12.6, the documented capture is available without audio. Consult OBS’s current guide for any changes to supported versions or behavior.
- Test before going live. Follow OBS’s Quick Start Guide and check the scene and settings for a few minutes before your first stream.
This covers capturing Keynote in OBS; stream keys, broadcast bitrates, resolution settings, and audience privacy controls depend on the destination platform and are outside this capture setup.
Other ways to present Keynote
FaceTime on Mac
While in a FaceTime call, open the deck, select the starting slide, click Play, and choose Share Slideshow when prompted. The slideshow and presenter display appear in separate windows. Apple documents Presenter Overlay on macOS Sonoma 14 or later to show the presenter and presentation together. See Apple’s FaceTime slideshow instructions.
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iPhone
Start screen sharing in FaceTime or another video-conferencing app, open Keynote, select the starting slide, and tap Play. Navigate from the iPhone, then stop screen sharing using the app’s controls. Apple’s iPhone instructions describe the flow.
Keynote for iCloud
Start the slideshow in the browser, open the presenter display if you need it, and share the slideshow window through FaceTime or your chosen conferencing app. The presenter display can show the current and next slides and notes separately. See Apple’s Keynote for iCloud instructions.
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More than one presenter
For a shared presentation on Mac, Apple supports a multi-presenter slideshow. The host starts the slideshow and can share control with another presenter. The host retains control; co-presenters have more limited control unless the host gives them additional control. This can support a team taking turns while a separate conferencing app carries the call. See Apple’s multi-presenter guide.
Troubleshoot common problems
- Viewers can see your notes or controls: You may be sharing the whole display or an area that includes the presenter display. Share only the slideshow window where possible, move the presenter display outside the shared area, and verify the audience view. Check Keynote > Settings > Slideshow for the presenter-display option.
- OBS shows a blank or unavailable capture: Check that OBS has macOS Screen Recording permission, then reopen OBS if macOS requests it. Confirm that the source is set to the intended Keynote window, app, or display.
- OBS captures the wrong area: Re-select the intended window or display in the macOS Screen Capture source and inspect the OBS preview before broadcasting. Windowed slideshow playback can make it easier to isolate the slides.
- Keynote audio is missing in OBS: Check the macOS version and OBS source behavior. OBS documents audio capture with macOS Screen Capture on macOS 13 and later; for macOS 12.3–12.6, OBS documents capture without audio.
- The share menu does not match these steps: Screen-sharing controls belong to the conferencing app and vary between services. Consult that service’s current help for its exact labels and available sharing choices.
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