Keynote won't show Presenter Display

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Level 1

8 points

Keynote won't show Presenter Display

I've seen this question asked before, but none of the fixes have worked for my situation. I'm showing Keynotes through an external projection system (on a large screen) using a MacBook Air (OS 10.13.4 and Keynote 8.0.1). I've set "Enable Presenter Display" in the Keynote Slide Show preferences. 10.13.4 doesn't have a way to turn mirroring off or on via System Preferences, but the "AirPlay Display" drop down under "Built in Display" preferences is turned off. I still can't get Presenter Display to show up on my computer when I run Keynote. Am I missing something? I've clicked the box in Systems Prefs/Built-in Display that says "show mirroring options in the menu bar when available" but I don't see anything in the menu bar when I'm running a Keynote. Any help is appreciated!

Grant

MacBook Air, macOS High Sierra (10.13.4)

Posted on Jun 8, 2018 10:09 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 9, 2018 8:44 AM in response to EJsDad

If you do not see the Arrangement tab in System Preferences > Displays, then the Mac does not have a viable connection to the projector.

The Mac must have a successful connection before the secondary display can be set up.

How exactly is the projector connected to the Mac?

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Answer 2

Jun 23, 2018 2:07 PM in response to beppu

the presenter display would not show on the computer while the Keynote presentation was showing through the projector.

What was showing on the MacBook display?

If the MacBook is showing the Keynote presentation, Mirror display is probably selected, turn it off in system preferences as below:

connect to the projector then go to: Apple Menu > System Preferences > Displays > Arrangement and deselect Mirror Displays

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Answer 3

EJsDad Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 11, 2018 11:10 AM in response to Gary Scotland

Thanks Gary,

It's connected via the Video Input port on the right side of the MacBook Air, using a VGA/Mac adapter from a VGA cable. I didn't realize that I couldn't pre-set the display arrangement options without the computer actually being plugged in to a projector! When I've projected through my previous MacBook on other systems in the past it automatically recognized the Presenter Display option and let me view it without having to adjust the System Prefs/Display options. Maybe all I need to do is just set up Airplay Display after I've hooked up the computer to the projector? I will try that tomorrow! Should Airplay Display be off or on? I guess I'll just try both...

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Answer 4

Jun 12, 2018 5:03 AM in response to EJsDad

If the settings in presenter display are correct for the specific situation, no adjustment is needed.

If you are using a VGA cable to connect to the projector what role has Airplay in this situation?

Airplay is a wifi connection, it is not used when connecting the Mac to a projector using a VGA cable.

Airplay options will not be available unless there is a wifi connection and supporting hardware to receive the wifi signal from the Mac using items such as an Apple TV or a wireless receiver attached to the projector for Airplay to connect to.

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Answer 5

beppu

Level 1

11 points

Jun 23, 2018 7:34 AM in response to EJsDad

I have a similar problem. In my case, I was using an HDMI cable to connect to the projector. Although I was able to select the presenter display preferences and make my choices, the presenter display would not show on the computer while the Keynote presentation was showing through the projector. I use a MacBook Pro, 13 inch, early 2011, 8 G ram, High Sierra, 10.13.5.

BTW -- When I practiced at home over AirPlay to Apple TV, there was no problem.

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Answer 6

EJsDad Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 25, 2018 10:00 AM in response to Gary Scotland

Thanks for your help Gary. Well, it turned out to be very simple. Once I had the computer plugged into the projector I could see the little Display icon in the menu bar, and set up the proper Display options pref. from there. Thanks again! Can't believe I was struggling with this for so long and missed something so simple...

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Answer 7

beppu

Level 1

11 points

Jun 23, 2018 2:46 PM in response to Gary Scotland

Thank you for your advice -- that should solve my problem.

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Keynote won't show Presenter Display

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