When you enter a Skype for Business meeting it is launched in speaker view. The Speaker view adds the portrait of the presenter to the lower right of the screen. The portrait will change to whoever is currently speaking. This view is especially useful when the presenter is using a webcam as the picture is replaced with their video stream. Unfortunately, this can cover part of the presentation as shown below. This view can be changed but the option to do so is not in an intuitive location. In total there are three views for a Skype meeting. In this article, we will look at all three and how to switch between them.
To change from speaker view we use the Pick a Layout button (). This button is located at the top right of the screen in the title bar. If you select this button a checkmark will indicate what view you are currently in. In our case, we are in Speaker View. To pick another view select it from the list.
We have already discussed Speaker View. Let’s look at the gallery view next. Select Gallery View from the menu.
Gallery view moves the portraits or video streams of the attendees to the top of the meeting window. The gallery is useful in a collaborative meeting where there is no designated speaker. Our example below has only three attendees but if your meeting contained more their portraits would fill the entire row. Any content being presented does suffer a slight loss in screen real estate as it is shrunk down by the row of portraits.
Alternatively, you also have the option to undock the portraits or video streams. If you mouse over the pictures you should see the Pop out the video gallery button. This will move all portraits or video streams to its own window. Undocking is especially useful for those with multiple monitors allowing you to dedicate one screen to the content. Undocking is also available in the Speaker view.
The next view is the content view. The Content view is useful when the focus should only be on the content being presented and not the speaker. To switch to this view select Content View from the menu. In this view, no speaker pictures or video streams are displayed.
One final button worth mentioning is the fullscreen button. This button is depicted by two arrows () and is located in the title bar next to the layout button. This button allows you to maximize the current layout to the entire screen.
As of writing, there is no way to set the default view for all meetings. We hope this feature will make it into a future update. Some meetings defaults can be configured through the Skype Meetings tab under Tools > Options. For example, to always have the participant list or IM window show when entering a meeting you can select those boxes.
Which view do you like best? Drop a comment below or join the conversation on Twitter @SuperTekBoy.
Leanne johnston. says
I can’t work out how to change the screen, where all people in the meeting can be seen the tick is on speaker view on the main screen but won’t let me change it … I can’t work it out starting to drive me crazy cause it’s not working the way it should
Marguerite Vasquez says
Is there a way to make separate breakout rooms
Dean says
I just wish they could fix this in Skype for Mac! More than 2 people in a conference and it just automatically trims the video to 4:3, thus cutting off everybody siting at the sides or the boardroom table!
No option in Mac to change the layout or even popout the video, so then becomes very annoying for the other parties…
Scott Nelson says
Is there a way in Skype for Business to, while presenting, have the gallery view as well? I’m presenting in a conference room with a single large monitor and my supervisor wants to have the attendees visible while we’re presenting.
Suzanne Scott says
Scott – did you get a response – I am currently having problems. I used to get gallery view but now it is shaded out when I am presenting I used to be able to see invitees and presentation – this has now been disabled and I think it is because our conference room has moved over to windows 10.
JB says
Hi Gareth. In our organization we like the Skype for Business product, however the views do become an issue especially on the web client. I’ve seen where others complain due to the size of the presentation window that some want a full screen option just for the presentation… much like GoToMeeting or WebEx. Is that something that may be later released at some point?
Also, is there a way for the web client to set the default view to the presentation view as opposed to the gallery view?
Gareth Gudger says
Hey JB. I wish there was a way to set the default view as well. It is a common ask from both the community and MVPs alike. Maybe we will see it on a road map eventually. When it happens I will update this article.