# Preview Mode

You can preview any test directly in your browser with Shoplift's **Preview Mode**. Preview Mode can be used on draft, active, and ended tests, so long as the tested template, theme, or page are still available.

### Understanding preview mode

Preview mode creates a temporary session that mimics the real test experience without affecting your live store data. This allows you to thoroughly validate your test configuration before any real customers see it. 

**With preview mode, you can:**

* See exactly how variants will appear for test visitors
* Verify both Control (A) and Variant (B) experiences
* Test the complete purchase flow without affecting live data
* Check all areas of your site before launching

### Using Preview Mode

On a given test draft or report, hover over your variant preview and select **Preview in Browser**. This opens Preview Mode in a new tab.

When using preview mode, you can experience your test as a website visitor would.

### Switching Between Variants

At the bottom of the preview window, you’ll see a toolbar that lets you switch between:

* **Original (A**) – your current experience
* **Variant (B)** – your test experience

<figure><img src="https://314821113-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDg2m2UmvTCMjmBjnzBKA%2Fuploads%2FeCW6lzvnYefI7sxchIMa%2Fpreview-mode.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=63d4b626-dc21-4ca7-ad0b-233ae86c84d5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can navigate across your site while the preview is active to see how each page looks when assigned to the A or B variant.

{% hint style="info" %}
**FAQ: Why do my edits show up on my original and variant previews?**

If making edits to a template test in Shopify affected your original template, you likely made theme-level edits to your variant template. You should revert these edits and set up a new test by clicking "Test a theme or global element."
{% endhint %}

### Exiting Preview Mode

To return to your live site, simply select Exit in the toolbar.


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