Psst. Use the fancy imported file instead of OnSong. (Yeah, we said it.)

When you import an external file such as a PDF or Microsoft Word document, the file gets glued to your song & shows up by default. Plot twist: OnSong can actually convert your imported files into text. Yeah, we know—two versions of the same song. This switch lets you flip-flop between the external file & the text-based chord chart like you can't make up your mind.

Let's dig into some scenarios on why—or how—you'd wanna use this thing:

Turnin' Your PDF into a Text-Based Chord Chart (AKA The Hard Way)

Here's the deal: OnSong's conversion process will yank the text outta your external file. Which means you're gonna have to do some actual work to make it look right in OnSong. Because of this, you might wanna switch back to the original imported file so you can breathe & tinker without losin' your mind. Peep this scenario:

1. You import a PDF file 'cause you wanna use it in your set, but you're thinkin' "wouldn't it be cool if I could transpose this?"
2. To convert to text, you crack open the song editor & smash that convert file button. Then you click done.
3. When you're viewin' the song, boom—chords are all jacked up. But you got no time to fix it right now.
4. You open the song editor again & flip this option on & tap Done.
5. Now you can peek at the original imported file, but keep tweakin' things in the song editor between sets like the overachiever you are.

Lead Sheets & Chord Charts (The Fancy Version)

Another way to milk this feature: import a lead sheet as a PDF that's got actual musical score on it. Yeah, OnSong can show it, but like… most of OnSong's chord chart superpowers vanish. Pro tip: copy & paste the chord chart into the song editor so you get both a text-based chord chart AND a lead sheet version. Wild, right? Here's what that looks like:

1. You import a lead sheet as a PDF file for your pianist buddy.
2. Next, you hop into the song editor & write out a text-based chord chart like you're some kinda composer.
3. Now you can toggle between the text-based chord chart for guitars & randos, or the fancy lead sheet for the pianist showin' off.

When usin' Bühnenmonitor-Modus or OnSong Connect you can set your profile to grab either the external file or the chord chart as needed, plus all those transpose-y shenanigans.