Integrate countdown properly in Streamlabs OBS

Adding a countdown to your streams can be an excellent way to prepare your viewers for upcoming events. Whether for an exciting start or a time-limited challenge, a countdown builds excitement and fosters interactivity. In this guide, I'll show you how to set up a countdown in Streamlabs OBS to enhance your streams.

Key Takeaways

• You need a special Excel file to create the countdown.
• Integrating it into Streamlabs OBS is simple and straightforward.
• The countdown can be customized, including font and size.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up the Countdown

First, you need to download the program to use the countdown in Streamlabs OBS. Go to the download page and grab the Excel file. You can easily install the program by saving the file and creating a desktop shortcut for quick access later.

After downloading the Excel file, open it. Here, you can make the countdown settings. The time entries are clearly structured: there are sections for seconds, minutes, and hours. For example, if you want to set up a countdown for a "Starting Soon" screen, you might typically choose 5 minutes. This means you simply enter 05 in the minutes field and ensure the hours are set to 0.

Before starting the countdown, you need to embed it in Streamlabs OBS. This is quite simple: copy the countdown to the clipboard by right-clicking and selecting "Copy" or using the corresponding keyboard shortcuts. Then switch to Streamlabs OBS and choose the scene where you want to insert the countdown, for example, the "Starting Soon" scene.

Next, add a new source. Click on the plus sign, select "Text," and then "Add Source." Here, you can give the countdown a name, like "Countdown," to easily identify the source. Then choose the "Read from file" option and paste the copied link from the Excel file.

Once you have started the countdown, you should be able to see it on your screen. Make sure it appears in the size you desire. You can easily drag and adjust it to place it in the correct position and size.

If you want to make changes to the font or size, you can do so by right-clicking on the countdown and going to properties. Here, you have the option to select different fonts and adjust the font size to your preference.

It's important that the program controlling the countdown remains open throughout its duration. If you close the file while the countdown is running, it will simply disappear. Therefore, keep the program open in the background to ensure a smooth operation.

Summary

Inserting a countdown in Streamlabs OBS is a simple process that helps you give your viewers an exciting glimpse of your streams. With just a few steps, you can customize the countdown to perfectly fit your concept.