SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) release candidate 17.0 RC2 works side-by-side with generally available releases (16.x), but it is not recommended for production use. There are many enhancements which you can read here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/ssms/sql-server-management-studio-ssms-release-candidate but there is one feature I really like. It is called Presenter Mode and it is something I will use for my upcoming presentation. (Yes you read that right – might as well try presenting because apparently I like talking)

This feature is accessible via quick launch, honestly I could not find another way to access this feature, if you do know another way please let me know via the comments section so I can update the blog post.

First thing is to confirm the version.

To activate Presenter mode type “PresentOn” via quick launch.

This is the outcome – a larger font size for the code block which you can see below (last screen shot).

To turn it off, you would type “PresentOff” where instantly SSMS re-adjusts back to the default settings. If you want to change the “stock” settings you would use “PresentEdit” where you have the ability to change the XML.

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<PresenterModeSettings>
  <EnvironmentFontFamily>Segoe UI</EnvironmentFontFamily>
  <EnvironmentFontSize>11</EnvironmentFontSize>
  <TextEditorFontFamily>Consolas</TextEditorFontFamily>
  <TextEditorFontSize>16</TextEditorFontSize>
</PresenterModeSettings>

I will update it to the below and click save.

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<PresenterModeSettings>
  <EnvironmentFontFamily>Segoe UI</EnvironmentFontFamily>
  <EnvironmentFontSize>11</EnvironmentFontSize>
  <TextEditorFontFamily>David</TextEditorFontFamily>
  <TextEditorFontSize>18</TextEditorFontSize>
</PresenterModeSettings>

Here is the outcome of the updated settings.

I quite like it! I would prefer an option via the main toolbar to access the feature but I just could not find it.