Skip to main content
This page is for field workers executing a procedure on the HoloLens. By the end of it, you will know how to read the step panel, move through the procedure (by hand or by voice), handle branching choice steps, keep instructions in view while you work, and use the side menu to rescan, reposition, or exit. New to how a procedure breaks down into tasks and steps? See Procedures, Tasks & Steps.

​
Your View Inside a Procedure

Step main panel in focus showing the step number, task title, description, and Back and Next navigation arrows
The step main panel is always visible and guides you through the work. It shows:
  • The step number and task title
  • The step description — what to do
  • Back / Next arrows on either side
  • A list icon (top-left, before the Back button) that opens the full task/step list
  • A tethered line to the step’s gem, when the step has one — see Anchor with a QR Code
Each step loads only its own content: if the step has an image, video, or 3D models attached, they appear alongside the panel and update as you move between steps — see Work with 3D Models and Media.

​
Move Forward and Back

1

Go to the next step

Select the right arrow on the main panel — or just say “Next”. The panel updates with the new step number, title, and description, and any media or 3D content for that step loads.
2

Go back a step

Select the left arrow — or say “Previous”. The panel and step content return to the previous step.
The Next and Previous arrows are the one place where hover + “Select” does not work. Use the voice commands “Next” and “Previous”, or air-tap the arrows directly. See Voice Commands for the full list.

​
Jump Directly to Any Step

You don’t have to move sequentially. The Step List Panel is a complete navigator for the whole procedure.
Task and Step List panel showing the procedure's tasks and steps
1

Open the step list

Select the list icon at the top-left of the step panel. A panel opens showing the procedure name, all tasks, all steps under each task, and all completion steps.
2

Select any task or step

Focus an entry and air-tap it — or say “Select” while it’s focused. The chosen step becomes active immediately, and its media and 3D content load exactly as if you had reached it sequentially.
3

Close the list

Select the Close (X) button to return to the currently active step without changing anything.
If you jump straight to a choice step, it behaves exactly as described below — you still need to pick an option to continue.

​
Answer a Choice Step (Branching)

Some procedures branch: a Choice Step presents up to three options, and the one you pick determines which step comes next. These are common in troubleshooting flows, conditional inspections, and multi-path work.
Choice Step panel with one of the option labels in focus
On a choice step there is no forward arrow — you must select an option to continue. The back arrow still returns you to the previous step in your current path.
1

Review the options

Read each option label — each leads to a different part of the procedure.
2

Select one

Focus an option with the ray or head-gaze cursor and hold — a loading indicator fills around it and the option activates automatically when it completes.
A choice step option in focus, with a loading indicator filling around the option label
Faster ways to answer: air-tap the option to activate it immediately, or say the option’s label exactly as written (for example, “Start with the alternator”) — no hover needed. If a label is awkward to speak, fall back to hover + “Select”.
After you choose, the procedure continues along that branch until it reaches another choice step or a completion step — see Complete and Sign Off.

​
Keep Instructions with You: Follow Me

Follow Me keeps a panel floating in front of you as you walk or turn — ideal when both hands are on tools and you need the instructions to come along. It is off by default; panels stay where you leave them. The toggle is the pin icon in the top-right corner of panels that support it, including the main step panel and the task/step list panel. A pin with a slash means off; a pin without a slash means on.
Procedure view with the main step panel's Follow Me pin button in its OFF state — the pin has a slash through it
1

Turn Follow Me on

Air-tap the pin button on the panel — or, from anywhere, say “Follow me” (no need to look at the panel). The pin loses its slash and the panel starts following you as you move.
Procedure view with the main step panel's Follow Me pin button in its ON state — the pin no longer shows a slash
2

Turn Follow Me off

Air-tap the pin again, or say “Unfollow me”. You can also simply grab and move the panel — manually repositioning a panel switches Follow Me off for it, letting you “park” instructions next to the equipment you’re working on.
Follow Me is remembered per panel and is not reset by changing steps — if the step panel is following you, it keeps following as you progress. Panels without the pin icon (dialogs, popups, the QR scan flow) don’t support Follow Me by design.
Combine Follow Me with voice: turn it on for the step panel, then say “Next” / “Previous” as you work — instructions come to you and advance on command.

​
The In-Procedure Side Menu

While inside a procedure, raise either hand with your palm facing toward you. A vertical menu appears with three buttons (plus the current time and system status at the bottom).
Contextual procedure side menu shown on the palm with Rescan, Reposition, and Exit buttons
Selecting Exit shows the message “You are about to exit this procedure” with two options:
Exit Procedure confirmation popup with Resume and Exit Procedure options
  • Resume — closes the confirmation and continues from your current step.
  • Exit Procedure — leaves the procedure and returns you to the Procedures page.
Next: Work with 3D Models and Media