In this article, we'll explain how to set up a Facebook app to display information off Facebook on your digital signs.
With the Facebook app, you're able to display posts and such from public-facing Facebook pages you have ownership access over.
Let's get started.
What You'll Need
- An OptiSigns account - Free Plan or higher
- A Facebook account
- An OptiSigns-enabled device - if on Free plan, one of these devices
- A screen, set up and paired with OptiSigns
Setting Up a Facebook App
On the OptiSigns portal, go to Assets → Add Asset → Apps.
Select Facebook:
- Name: Name of your Facebook Wall, this is the name of the wall in your asset list. It will not be displayed on your screens.
-
Page: Page you want to use (if you have more than 1).
IMPORTANT A Facebook asset can only access a single page, and this can only be changed during the creation of the asset. In order to change this, you will need to delete this asset and create a new one.
If you wish to display multiple Facebook pages, you will need to create individual assets for each one, then use them in a Playlist. - Display Mode: Choose how you want your Facebook page to display. There are numerous options here - play around with them, and they should automatically populate the Preview area on the right. Choose the one which suits you best!
- Theme: Change between Light and Dark themes.
-
Speed: This determines how quickly your Facebook posts cycle. Choose between Slow, Medium, Fast, and Custom. When Custom is chosen, you will see the following slider:
- Font Size: Set the font size. Default is 20, but this can be set to Custom and changed to whatever you wish.
- Landscape / Portrait: Choose the orientation for the Preview.
Advanced
Click the Advanced option to
- Moderation: Clicking Moderation opens up a popup:
This screen allows you to determine which posts will appear on your app - you can change the settings to disallow certain posts.
- Always show new posts: When checked, this will ensure you are only showing new posts
- Filter Type: Choose to Filter by Quantity or by Time. If one of these is selected, you can choose how many posts to show, or across what timeframe to show posts.
- Only show posts with image: When selected, will only show posts that have images. If you want to display text-only Facebook posts, leave this unchecked.
- Scrolling Strip Font Size: Set the font size of the scrolling strip. Default is 20, but this can be set to Custom and changed to whatever you wish.
- Continue Playing Content in Playlist: When checked, if the Facebook wall is placed in a Playlist, it will continue displaying posts from where it left off. Otherwise, it will always start with the first post in your sequence.
-
Show QR Code: When checked, allows you to add a QR code. You can choose for the QR code to go to the Facebook page, or to any other page by choosing Custom.
Deploying a Facebook App
You can deploy your new Facebook app as an individual asset, or as part of a Split Screen.
To get your new Facebook asset to a screen, go to the Screens tab, then click the screen you want to assign it to.
This brings up the Edit Screen tab:
Here, select Asset under Content type, then hit Select Asset.
Then, select your created Facebook Asset:
Now hit Save. Your Facebook asset will now display on screen.
You can also deploy it as part of a split screen, allowing you to show other assets at the same time. See how in our Split Screen app article.
In order to display multiple Facebook pages, you can create individual page assets, then place them in a Playlist. The asset or playlist can also be placed in a Schedule.
That's all!
If you have any additional questions, concerns or any feedback about OptiSigns, feel free to reach out to our support team at support@optisigns.com