Binding data to an overlay

Instead of typing an overlay’s text by hand, you can bind it to a row of data, so it updates itself when the data changes.

Add a data source

In Show Settings, press Add Data Source. Choose whether it comes from a file or an address (a URL), and its format, CSV or JSON. For a CSV file with no header row, its columns are called Column 1, Column 2 and so on.

A Google Sheet is an address too: share it as Anyone with the link and paste the link from Share. Its first tab is read as CSV, and an edit reaches InterDirector within a couple of seconds of the next refresh.

Choose how it refreshes: only when asked, whenever the file changes (a local file only), or every so often, on an interval you set. Read Now, in the Data panel, refreshes it on the spot regardless, and so can a hotkey or Stream Deck button.

Bind a parameter

On an overlay’s card, a parameter that can take data has its own Data source picker. Choose the source, then choose which Field of it to read. A parameter left on Nothing stays a plain value you type yourself.

Choose which row

Once a parameter is bound, choose Follows the cursor so it always shows whatever row the cursor is on, or Always the same row and give it a fixed row number, useful for a value that should not move even while you scroll through the rest of the data, such as an event name at the top of a scoreboard.

Moving the cursor

Open the Data panel to see every row. Click one to move the cursor there, or use the arrow keys once it has focus. Every bound parameter that follows the cursor updates at once, on air if the overlay is up.

Next

Countdowns, clocks and stopwatches in overlay text, for a value that updates itself without any data source at all.