Articles on: Playback Mode

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? 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?.

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

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.

Settings

At the top left is the Settings icon:

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

Select Font Type to choose a font:

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?.

📝 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:

✅ 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:

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:

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?.

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.

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

What's Next

How can I change the font in Read Mode?

How do I transfer my notes?

What are Bookmarks and how can I use them?

Updated on: 28/05/2026

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