Screen-Ready Flip Chart Instructions

If the idea of connecting your phone or laptop to a TV makes you want to close this tab — stay with me for just a second.


I hear from choristers about this all the time. Smart, capable, dedicated women who have been running Singing Time beautifully for years. This isn’t about being good with technology. It’s just about doing something for the first time.


And I really, really want you to try it. Because once you see your flipcharts on a big screen — every word big and bright, kids in the back row reading along, no one squinting — I think you’re going to love it.


I put together these simple instructions for every type of device. Find yours below, follow the steps, and if you get stuck, just email me. We’ll figure it out together.

Step #1: Download your files

Your screen-ready flipchart files came with your bundle. If you haven’t downloaded them yet, check your purchase confirmation email.  There’s a link in it that takes you back to your download page. Click the download button next to the song you want to teach and choose where to save them on your device.

 

*Sometimes they automatically save, and you don’t get to choose where. That just means your device likely saved them to a downloads folder.

Here’s how to find them:

Open your Files or Downloads app. It’s usually called “Files” or “My Files” depending on your phone.

Open the Files app (it comes with every iPhone and iPad — looks like a blue folder). Tap “Downloads.”

Click the Finder icon in your dock, then look for “Downloads” in the left sidebar. Or check the little arrow icon in the top right corner of your screen.

Open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar) and click “Downloads” on the left side.

Step #2: Un-zip your files

These are large files, so I had to combine the 3 versions for each song into one “zipped” file. In order to use your files, you will need to un-zip them.  Here’s how:

  • Tap the zip file in your Files or Downloads app. Most Android phones will unzip it automatically. If nothing happens, download the free app called Files by Google from the Play Store — it handles zip files easily.

Tap the zip file in your Files app. It will unzip itself and create a new folder right there in Downloads.

Just double-click the zip file. Your Mac will unzip it automatically and a new folder will appear in the same location.

Find the downloaded file (it will have a little zipper icon on it). Right-click it and choose Extract All. Click Extract and your files will appear in a new folder right next to the zip file.

Step #3: Open the song you need

Pick whichever program you already use or have access to:

If you already use Canva, you can import your files there.

 

  • Go to canva.com and sign in.
  • On the home page, look for the option to upload a file. You can drag your downloaded file right onto the Canva home page, or click the upload button and select your file.
  • Canva will convert it into a presentation for you.
  • Once it opens, click Present in the top right corner.
  • Use your arrow keys or click to move through the slides.

Keynote is Apple’s free presentation app. If you have a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you likely already have it.

 

  • Find your downloaded file (see Step 1 above).
  • Press and hold the file (on iPhone/iPad) or right-click it (on Mac).
  • Choose Open With > Keynote.
  • Once it’s open, tap or click the Play button (it looks like a triangle) to start the slideshow.
  • Tap or click to move through the slides.

Google Slides is free and works in any web browser — no download needed.

 

  • Go to drive.google.com and sign in to your Google account. (If you use Gmail, it is the same username and password.)
  • Click the + New button on the left side, then click File upload.
  • Find your downloaded flipchart file and select it.
  • Once it uploads, double-click the file to open it. Google will ask if you’d like to open it in Google Slides — say yes.
  • Click the Present button in the top right corner.
  • Your flipchart will fill the screen. Use your arrow keys or click to move through the slides.

You likely have Microsoft Powerpoint installed on your computer if you have Microsoft Word and/or Excel.

 

  • Find your downloaded file (see Step 1 above).
  • Double-click the file. It should open if PowerPoint is installed on your computer.
  • Once it’s open, click the Slide Show tab at the top of the screen.
  • Click From Beginning.
  • Your flipchart will fill the screen. Use your arrow keys or click to move through the slides

Step #4: Connect Your Device to Your TV

Pick whichever device you are using:

The easiest option for most Android users is wireless screen mirroring, which is built into most smart TVs and Android phones.

 

  • Make sure your phone and TV are on the same WiFi network.
  • On your phone, swipe down from the top of your screen to open your quick settings.
  • Look for a button called Smart View, Screen Mirror, Cast, or Wireless Display — the name varies by phone brand.
  • Tap it and select your TV from the list.

Don’t see that option? If your TV has a Chromecast built in (many newer TVs do), open the Google Home app on your phone and follow the prompts to cast your screen.

Option 1 — Wired (works on any TV with an HDMI port):

 

You’ll need an HDMI cable AND a small adapter.

iPhone 15 or newer / newer iPad Pro:

  • Look for a “USB-C to HDMI adapter” on Amazon.

Older iPhone or iPad:

  • Look for a “Lightning to Digital AV Adapter” on Amazon. (Lightning is the small connector you use to charge older iPhones.)

Once you have the adapter:

 

  • Plug the adapter into the bottom of your iPhone or iPad.
  • Plug one end of your HDMI cable into the adapter.
  • Plug the other end into your TV.
  • Your screen should appear on the TV automatically.

Option 2 — Wireless with AirPlay (if you have an Apple TV or a newer smart TV):

 

  • Make sure your iPhone/iPad and your TV are connected to the same WiFi network.
  • Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen to open the Control Center.
  • Tap Screen Mirroring.
  • Select your TV from the list.

First, check the side of your MacBook for ports.

 

  • If you see a port labeled HDMI: You just need a standard HDMI cable. 
    • Plug one end into your MacBook, the other into your TV, and you’re connected.
  • If you only see small oval ports (USB-C): You’ll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. These are inexpensive and easy to find on Amazon. Search “USB-C to HDMI adapter.”  Any basic one will do.
    • Plug the adapter into your MacBook, then plug an HDMI cable from the adapter into your TV.

Once connected:


  • Go to the Apple menu > System Settings > Displays.
  • Look for an option to Mirror Displays so your TV shows the same thing as your screen.

Most Windows laptops have an HDMI port — it’s a small trapezoid-shaped port, wider than a USB.

 

  • You’ll need a standard HDMI cable, which you can find at Walmart, Target, or Amazon for just a few dollars.
  • Plug one end of the HDMI cable into your laptop.
  • Plug the other end into any HDMI port on your TV. (Most TVs have 2 or 3 — any one will work.)
  • On your laptop, right-click on the desktop and choose Display Settings.
  • Scroll down to find the option that says Multiple Displays and choose Duplicate so your TV shows exactly what’s on your laptop screen.

Step #5: Switch Your TV to the Right Input

Once your device is connected, your TV needs to know to show it. This part trips a lot of people up, but it’s simple once you know what to look for.

 

  • Grab your TV remote and look for a button that says Input, Source, or has an icon that looks like a rectangle with an arrow pointing into it.
  • Press it.
  • A menu will appear on your TV showing options like HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3. Try each one until you see your device’s screen appear on the TV.
  • That’s it — you’re in!

A few things to try if the TV isn’t showing your screen:

  • Make sure the HDMI cable is pushed in firmly on both ends.
  • Try a different HDMI port on the TV.
  • If you’re connecting wirelessly, double-check that your phone and TV are on the same WiFi network.
  • Try turning the TV off and back on after connecting.

Still stuck? Search YouTube for your TV brand plus “how to switch HDMI input” — there are short videos for almost every TV out there.

Congrats!

You did it!

If you just followed these steps and your flipchart is up on that TV screen, I am so proud of you.

This is one of those things that feels a little scary the first time and completely normal by the third time.

Your kids are going to love seeing those words up big. And you’re going to love not printing and laminating every Sunday.

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