---
title: Event Handler State
slug: author/event-handler-state
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-03-11T06:56:09.060Z
---

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/1jXZz4BVpC_xrS5aiS0GG_eventhandlerstate.png" size="14" width="209" height="207" position="center" darkWidth="209" darkHeight="207" showCaption="false"}

The Event Handler has no media associated with it but can be used to perform a function. For example, it could be used to:

- Be an placeholder if you want a blank home screen and no content to play until the presentation is activated.
- Add a [command](docId\:az1YTDtEYH-Zp2Dbg_lBL)  that is performed before the first file in the presentation plays.
- Have the presentation sit at a blank screen when finished, instead of looping.

You can add commands and interactive events to enter or exit the **Event** **Handler** state.

# State Properties

- **Name**: The name of the Event Handler state
- **Initial State**: Select this to make this state the home screen
- **Stop Playback:** Check this box if you would like audio/video playback to end once a media file transitions to the Event Handler state.

## Notes

This section lets you store important information about the Event Handler state for future users. It can be modified at any time.

## Advanced

This section lets you add commands to your presentation to extend its functionality. See [this page](docId\:az1YTDtEYH-Zp2Dbg_lBL) for more information.

# Using the Event Handler

![Screenshot 2025-02-10 at 2.48.29 PM.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/ytse_AaJR21QOKtJAffeS_screenshot-2025-02-10-at-24829-pm.png)

1. Drag the **Event** **Handler** widget into your presentation.
2. Give it a name and select **Initial** **State**, if you want it to be the first state in your presentation.
3. Under **Advanced** **> Add Command**, add one or more commands to create an action. The image above for an example which sets the audio level and the blink speed of a button panel.
4. Add a **Timeout** to go from the **Event** **Handler** to the first media state in your presentation.

# Example

This example starts a presentation on a button press:

1. Add an **Event Handler** widget to your presentation.
2. Set the **Event Handler** state as the home screen by selecting **Initial** **State.**
3. Define a [BP900](docId\:ALTWiwEsaM7-pgdLmu3Sp) event linked from the **Event Handler** state to the first presentation item. Now the display will sit at a blank screen until a user presses the BP900 button when it will begin playing.