> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.askplane.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Host Live Polls and Q&A from PowerPoint with Askplane

> Open the Askplane task pane in PowerPoint, connect your event, and run polls and Q&A from the pane without switching windows. Step-by-step hosting guide.

Once the Askplane add-in is installed, the task pane gives you full host control inside PowerPoint: start the session, open and close polls, manage the Q\&A queue, and end the session without alt-tabbing. Attendees see results live on the current slide while you work from the pane.

## Before you start

* You have an Askplane account and at least one event created at [askplane.com/admin](https://www.askplane.com/admin)
* The add-in is installed in PowerPoint: see [Install](/addin/install) if you haven't done this yet
* Your presentation is open in PowerPoint

## Connecting to your event

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Log in">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open the Askplane task pane">
        In PowerPoint, click the Askplane button in the ribbon (or go to Insert → Add-ins → Askplane). The task pane opens on the right side of the window.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Enter your credentials">
        Type your work email and password, then click **Log in**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select your event">
        Your events list appears. Click the event you want to run. You're connected and ready to start.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Host URL">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Copy the host URL from your event">
        In [askplane.com/admin](https://www.askplane.com/admin), open your event and copy the **secret host URL** from the event settings.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open the Askplane task pane">
        In PowerPoint, open the Askplane task pane from the ribbon.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Paste the host URL">
        Click **or paste the secret host URL**, paste the URL into the field, and click **Connect**. You're connected without signing in.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Running polls during your presentation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start the session">
    Click **Start Session** in the task pane. A five-character code appears on the current slide. Share it with the room verbally: attendees go to askplane.com, enter the code, and add their name and work email. Takes about ten seconds. No app needed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to a poll slide">
    Advance your presentation to the slide where you want the poll to appear. The task pane shows your event's poll list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the poll">
    Click the poll name in the task pane. The question and answer options appear on the current slide. Attendees on their phones or laptops see the poll and can vote.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Watch live results">
    Vote counts update in real time on the slide as attendees respond. The task pane also shows a live count.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Close the poll">
    When you're ready to discuss the result, click **Close Poll**. Results stay visible on the slide for as long as you stay on that slide. Then advance your deck and open the next poll when ready.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Managing Q\&A from the task pane

If Q\&A is enabled on your event, submitted questions appear in the Q\&A tab of the task pane as attendees type them.

* **Approve**: the question appears on the slide, visible to the room
* **Pin**: the question surfaces to the top of the Q\&A display and stays prominent on the slide
* **Hide**: the question is removed from the slide view; it remains in your queue and in the CSV export with a "hidden" status label, so you have a complete record of everything submitted

## Ending the session

When you're done with all your polls and Q\&A, click **End Session** in the task pane. Attendees see a session-ended screen on their devices. Session data (attendee list, votes, and Q\&A) is immediately available for export in [askplane.com/admin](https://www.askplane.com/admin).

<Tip>
  Use PowerPoint's Presenter View while hosting. The task pane is visible only on your presenter screen, not on the projected display: the audience sees only your slides and the poll results, not your host controls.
</Tip>