> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.scriptation.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# What is Read Mode?

|| 📝 NOTE: In **Scriptation 6.0 and later**, Read Mode, Rehearse Mode, and Record Mode have been merged into a single **Playback Mode**. If you're on 6.0+, see [What is Playback Mode?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-playback-mode-dg5uqr/) for the current experience. This article describes how this mode worked in Scriptation 5.1.16 and earlier.

### Read Mode is a customizable, hands-free way to read and hear scripts without swiping or turning pages. It's perfect for table reads!

|| 📝 NOTE: The script readback feature is not available in the free version of Scriptation. For more information on upgrading to Industry Pro, see [What is Scriptation Industry Pro?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-scriptation-industry-pro-1jfjecg/).

To begin a Read session, simply tap on the **Read** icon on the Top Toolbar:

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/top-toolbar_1ssymog.png)

The top toolbar icons and the Annotation toolbar are hidden and the Read controls are now onscreen.

| ✅ TIP: If the **Read** icon isn't showing in the Top Toolbar, click the **plus sign** on the right side to show additional icons. To pin the Read icon permanently to the Top Toolbar, see [More Icons and Customizing the Top Toolbar](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/more-icons-and-customizing-the-top-toolbar-v1u97a/).

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/annotation-vs-read-pages-50-a-_qi4wss.png)

###### Settings

At the top left is the **Settings** icon:

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/settings-icon_6fdbwl.png)

Select **Narrator** to set the narrator's speed, pitch, volume, language, region, and voice:

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/narrator-settings-side_1xqxgzk.png)

Select **Font Type** to choose a font:

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/font-settings-side_lj25q.png)

Use the slider to set the size of the display font. This setting won't affect the page count in annotation mode.

Also in the **Settings** section are switches that let you set what's shown and heard: **Off** is hidden, **View** is displayed, and **Voice** is displayed and read aloud:

| ✅ TIP: For information on getting enhanced voices onto your device, which we strongly recommend, see [Are there better Playback voices available?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/are-there-better-playback-voices-available-wbbvl2/).

|| 📝 NOTE: In the main Settings menu, there's a switch for **Isolate Reader Settings**. When this is set to **Off**, the settings used for Read Mode will apply to Rehearse and Record modes as well. When this is set to **On**, the settings for Rehearse and Record modes can be adjusted independently.

In the **Settings** section you can choose what's shown: **Off** is hidden, **View** is displayed, and **Voice** is displayed and read aloud:

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/seen-and-shown-503-side_1sblgcq.png)

| ✅ TIP: Typical settings to hear a script read aloud would be Scene Headings, Action Lines, Character Names, and Dialogue set to **Voice** and all others set to **View**.

The **Character** icon opens a sidebar in which you can assign voices to your characters:

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/characters-icon_17t6rfa.png)

Touch or click the color dot to the left of the name to choose a color for highlighting the character on the page, or touch or click the name to open this character's voice settings window. Here you can adjust this character's speaking rate, pitch, volume, language, and voice:

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/rachel-read-1-side_16dkj9k.png)

To change whether the highlights appear over both a character's name and dialogue, their name only, or their dialogue only, see [What is Auto-Highlighting?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-auto-highlighting-17llf2q/).

At the bottom left, adjust the **speaking rate / scroll speed** with the slider; left is slower and right is faster.

At the bottom center, **mute and unmute** the reading by clicking the speaker icon.

At the bottom right, **rewind** to the previous scene, **start / pause** or **skip** to the next scene with the control icons.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/bottom-bar3_1pxej7y.png)

To **exit** Read Mode, click the **X** at the upper right corner.

| 📝 NOTE: Read Mode displays an extracted, reflowable text version of the script — this is what allows font changes, auto-scroll, and readback. Annotations, notes, and edits made on the PDF layer are not shown in Read Mode, since they don't exist in the extracted text. This applies to the newer Playback Mode as well.

| 📝 NOTE: It's not currently possible to hide the header/footer controls or the bottom toolbar in Read Mode to gain extra screen space — these controls are inherently part of Read Mode. If you'd like to see this changed, submit it to our [Feature Request board](https://roadmap.scriptation.com/feature-requests/).

# What's Next

[How can I change the font in Read Mode?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-do-i-change-the-font-in-playback-mode-96tb04/)
[How do I transfer my notes?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-do-i-transfer-my-notes-1khpcd8/)
[What are Bookmarks and how can I use them?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-are-bookmarks-and-how-can-i-use-them-1moexcu/)