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Play Keynote presentation in Window OR not black-out second screen

Is it possible to play a Keynote presentation either


(A) not in full-screen but in a Window or

(B) in full-screen on one display WITHOUT blackening out the other display (which is usually the case when a window is made full-screen)


This question has been asked several times, at least for the first alternative (A). I really cannot believe that this is not possible.


One work-around (for both cases) is to export Keynote to HTML. "Playing" the slide show in the browser then let you either just run it in a Window (A), or in full screen on one display while the other display is still usable (B). If you try that solution:

1) resize your presentation to the window or screen size.

2) control the output: some text is rendered slightly differently which might lead to problems

3) be aware that not all animations are working as expected, e.g., line-draw is not working


Exporting to HTML is a work-around -- but is there no other solution?


Background: As many other users who have asked this question over the years, I need it for video calls (in these times more important than ever). Note that I also tried "Keynote Live" -- which is a combination of all problems: Users will see the HTML version of the presentation (with the limitations mentioned above) and I still have a full screen problem.


Apple, is it really that difficult: Just run the presentation on one screen and let the other screen be?


Is there any tool or tweak that one can use?

Posted on Mar 27, 2020 8:38 AM

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Posted on Mar 27, 2020 10:47 AM

The html is not a solution for presentations with complicated content as it is simply way too slow (on my quad-core i5 MacBook Pro).

Alternatively, you can use the PDF export, which has better performance, but (no show) issues with animations, transitions, and embedded videos – also not good/professional.


Overall, this is a Keynote bug that needs to be fixed... btw., Powerpoint on macOS does not have this issue, you can get windows back over its presenter display...


See also my earlier report at https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251216094

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 27, 2020 10:47 AM in response to YetAnotherJens

The html is not a solution for presentations with complicated content as it is simply way too slow (on my quad-core i5 MacBook Pro).

Alternatively, you can use the PDF export, which has better performance, but (no show) issues with animations, transitions, and embedded videos – also not good/professional.


Overall, this is a Keynote bug that needs to be fixed... btw., Powerpoint on macOS does not have this issue, you can get windows back over its presenter display...


See also my earlier report at https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251216094

Apr 15, 2020 9:29 AM in response to YetAnotherJens

The HTML export does a good job of preserving most animations, but not all. It also doesn't support audio or Poll Everywhere embeds. It does play video, but doesn't keep the audio muted despite my setting it in Keynote.


Also it plays very slowly in Safari (!) but is much snappier in Firefox and Chrome.


At best, HTML export is a workaround for simple presentations where you don't need to see presenter notes.


In order for me to use Keynote to teach, I'd need it to:

  • have a window to serve as my preview
  • a second window to serve as my presentation
  • both windows need to be "independent" of each other so I can share just the presentation screen with the audience


A nice-to-have would be to continue to support embeds as it does natively.


Help, Apple. Friends don't let friends use PowerPoint!

May 20, 2020 5:16 PM in response to christianready

So I have been committed to using Keynote and Zoom and the work around I just tried was this:


  • connect to Zoom on my MacBook Pro for the Video/Audio conferencing
  • launch my presentation on my iPhone7 and do a Keynote Live presentation
  • not 100% sure what it looked like on the other end, but there were no complaints
  • the benefit for me is that I can Zoom freely without screen obstruction while advancing slides on my phone with a flick
  • (Depending on your setup and need, I'm sure you can do the opposite: Zoom on iPhone and Keynote Live from MacBook Pro)


Hope that's helpful for some people!

Mar 29, 2020 12:52 PM in response to jochen.kuepper

Jochen, thank you for the information. Overall I was surprised by the quality (including animations) of the HTML output. I wasn't aware of performance issues. Yes -- the HTML export is really is only a work-around. If you have no animations, PDF might work. And I agree: It is a Keynote bug!


BTW, I played around with Zoom and Keynote and the good news is, that the Zoom controls will be visible (and usable) even with Keynote: They will flow OVER the presenter screen (if you have to displays). This way it is possible to use Zoom and Keynote without any export, assuming that you do a screen share of the second display.


Jun 2, 2020 6:28 AM in response to YetAnotherJens

I have the same problem. Oh How much I miss Steve in these dark ages of Apple.


It is no brainer to have an option of Full Screen or Put some handles on the side of the player to have Picture In Picture option that is readily available in everything on line.


I am eagerly waiting for Apple people to remember where they came from and reclaim their creativity.



Play Keynote presentation in Window OR not black-out second screen

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