> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/play-and-update-graphics/chapter-index-1/crawls-controller.md).

# Crawls Controller

The **Crawls Controller** connects a data source to a graphic that scrolls or rolls each row across the screen — a news ticker, headline crawl, score crawl, credits roll.

Use it with a graphic that has a **Crawl Conductor** or **Roll Conductor**: the controller supplies the rows; the conductor controls the motion.

## Add a Crawls input

1. Select the crawl or roll graphic in the **Project List** and, in its **Data Controller** column, choose **General → Crawls: Crawl → New Input**.
2. The controller panel opens to the **Load New Data** screen.

You can also create the input on its own from **Add new item** in the playout window.

## Load data

You can load data three ways. Captivate also keeps a list of recent sources:

* **Browse** — pick a local file. Supported: CSV, Excel (`.xlsx`), JSON, XML, plain text, SQLite (`.db`/`.db3`).
* **Create CSV** — start a new CSV from inside Captivate.
* **Open URL** — fetch a web URL.

For **Google Sheets** or **Microsoft Excel** cloud sources, Captivate prompts you to sign in when needed. Follow the prompt to authorize the account. You can manage saved accounts from **Settings → Internet Accounts** (the Service Accounts panel).

{% hint style="info" %}
A Google Sheets source must be a **native Google Sheet**, not an Excel workbook stored in Google Drive. If you upload an `.xlsx` file to Google Drive it stays an Excel file, so it can’t be loaded as a Google Sheet here — even if you can still open it from Captivate. To use it, open the file in Google Sheets and choose **File > Save as Google Sheets**, then load the new Google Sheet.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Availability:** Some data sources require license support. If your license doesn’t include a source, Captivate shows *"Your license does not include … support"* when you try to load it.
{% endhint %}

The **Recent** list remembers sheets you’ve previously loaded. Use the **Filter** box to narrow it down. Click a row to reload, or use the trash icons to remove entries.

## Working with a loaded sheet

The header bar:

* **Back** — return to Load New Data
* Sheet title and current sheet name
* **Edit** pencil (cloud sources) — opens the sheet in your browser
* **Refresh** icon (web sources) — fetch the latest data from the source
* **Settings** cog

Below:

* **Find...** search box
* **Start Auto Play** / **Stop Auto Play** — advance to the next row on a timer. Used only when no Crawl or Roll Conductor is connected.
* **Start Auto Refresh** / **Stop Auto Refresh** (web sources)

## When a Crawl or Roll Conductor is connected

A Crawls input is usually used with a graphic that has a **Crawl Conductor** or **Roll Conductor**. When one is connected:

* The conductor controls row advancement, so the controller’s local Auto Play timer is disabled.
* The conductor requests the next row when it needs more data.
* The controller panel still shows the current row, so you can monitor what’s playing.

See [Crawl Conductor](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-5/crawl-conductor.md) and [Roll Conductor](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-5/roll-conductor.md) for Designer-side setup.

## Settings

Click the cog:

**Automation Settings**

* **Autoplay interval (seconds):** — how often Auto Play advances to the next row. Minimum 3 seconds. Used only when no conductor is driving advancement.
* **Auto Refresh Interval (seconds):** — how often Captivate reloads the source. Minimum 2 seconds.
* **Loop Table Playback:** — return to the first row after the last.

**Display Settings**

* **Allow Text Wrap in Cells:**

You can also use **Select titles to use for playback** to choose which connected graphics Auto Play drives.

## Connect data to a crawl or roll graphic

Each column heading in your source becomes a source field that can connect to a graphic value. Captivate connects matching fields to matching graphic values when it can; to check or change the connections, use **Link Data** in the **Preview** panel.

If you’re building the graphic yourself, add a **Crawl Conductor** or **Roll Conductor** to the layer in the Designer and connect the values the conductor will display — see [Crawl Conductor](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-5/crawl-conductor.md) and [Roll Conductor](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-5/roll-conductor.md).

The conductor controls the motion: right-to-left scrolling for a crawl, bottom-to-top rolling for a roll. The **Reverse** parameter flips the direction. When the conductor needs more text, it requests the next row from the controller.

## Multiple windows

If the Crawls Controller panel is open in more than one place, only one window controls playback and editing. The others show a **Take Control** banner with their controls dimmed. Click **Take Control** to make that window active.

## See also

* [Crawl Conductor](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-5/crawl-conductor.md) — right-to-left scrolling text (Reverse option flips direction)
* [Roll Conductor](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-5/roll-conductor.md) — bottom-to-top rolling text (credits-style)
* [Drive a graphic with Tables: Row](/play-and-update-graphics/chapter-index-1/drive-a-graphic-with-tables-row.md) — for one-record-at-a-time graphics without crawl or roll motion
* [Tables overview](/play-and-update-graphics/chapter-index-1/tables-overview.md) — Row vs Block and source options


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