What a Facebook slideshow is and why you might use one
A Facebook slideshow is a video made from still photos that you upload to your timeline or a Facebook page. Facebook automatically combines them with music, transitions, and timing — you do not have to edit anything yourself. The result looks like a short video, usually 3 to 10 seconds long, and plays in the feed the same way a video does.
Slideshows are useful when you have several related photos but do not want to post them one at a time. A slideshow of vacation photos, a series of before-and-after home renovation pictures, or a collection of event snapshots all work well. The slideshow format also tends to get more attention in the feed than a single photo, because it plays automatically and holds people's attention longer.
The slideshow tool is built into Facebook — you do not need to read anything or use a separate app. It works on both desktop and mobile, though the steps differ slightly between them.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook slideshows are created directly in the post composer by selecting multiple photos and choosing the slideshow format instead of posting them as an album.
- You can add music from Facebook's library, adjust the speed of transitions, and choose how long each photo displays before moving to the next one.
- Slideshows play as videos in the feed and can be shared, liked, and commented on just like any other post.
- On mobile, the slideshow tool appears in the photo selection screen after you choose your images; on desktop, it is in the post composer after you upload photos.
Creating a slideshow on desktop
Start by opening Facebook in a web browser and going to your timeline or the page where you want to post. Click the "Photo/Video" button in the post composer at the top of the feed. This opens a window where you can select files from your computer.
Select all the photos you want in the slideshow by clicking the first one, then holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and clicking each additional photo. Once you have selected all of them, click "Open" to upload them to the post composer. Facebook will display them as thumbnails in a row.
Look for the "Create Slideshow" button that appears above the photo thumbnails. Click it. Facebook will convert the photos into a slideshow preview, and you will see options to add music, adjust timing, and set the order of photos. The slideshow editor will open in a panel on the right side of your screen.
Customizing your slideshow: music, speed, and photo order
In the slideshow editor, you can add background music by clicking "Add Music." Facebook shows you a library of songs organized by mood and genre. Choose one that fits your slideshow, and it will play throughout. If you do not want music, you can leave this blank.
Adjust how long each photo stays on screen by clicking the speed control. The options are usually "Slow," "Medium," and "Fast." Slow gives each photo more time to be seen; fast moves through them quickly. The music will adjust to fit the length you choose, so a faster slideshow will not cut off the song — it will just play a shorter section of it.
To change the order of photos, click and drag the thumbnails in the editor. The slideshow will play in the order they appear from left to right. You can also delete a photo by clicking the X on its thumbnail if you change your mind about including it.
Creating a slideshow on mobile
Open Facebook on your phone and tap the "Photo/Video" button in the post composer. Your phone's photo library will open. Select the first photo you want, then tap "Select Multiple" or a similar option (the exact wording depends on whether you use iPhone or Android). Tap each additional photo you want to include.
Once you have selected all your photos, look for a button that says "Create Slideshow" or shows a slideshow icon. Tap it. Facebook will build the slideshow and show you a preview with default music and timing already applied.
Tap the slideshow preview to open the editor. From there, you can change the music, adjust the speed, and reorder photos the same way you would on desktop. The controls are the same — just arranged for a mobile screen.
Posting your slideshow and controlling who sees it
Once you have finished customizing your slideshow, you can add a caption or description in the text box above the preview. This is where you would write context about the photos — "Our trip to the coast" or "Kitchen renovation complete" — just as you would for any other post.
Before you post, check the privacy setting in the bottom left corner of the composer. It will show an icon like a globe, a group of people, or a lock. Click it to choose who can see the slideshow: Public (anyone on Facebook), Friends (only your friends), or a custom list. This setting works the same way as it does for regular photos or text posts.
Click "Post" when you are ready. The slideshow will appear in your timeline and in your friends' feeds. It will play automatically as people scroll past, with the music and transitions you chose.
What happens after you post: editing and deleting
Once a slideshow is posted, you can still make changes to it. Click the three dots in the top right corner of the post and select "Edit Post." This will open the slideshow editor again, and you can change the music, speed, photo order, or caption. Click "Save" when you are done, and the changes will update on your timeline.
If you want to delete the slideshow entirely, click the three dots again and select "Delete." The post will be removed from your timeline and from your friends' feeds. You can also delete individual comments or hide the post from certain people using the same menu.
Slideshows can be shared to other timelines, sent as messages, or embedded in other places on Facebook just like any other post. People can like, comment, and react to them the same way they would a video.
Troubleshooting common slideshow problems
If the "Create Slideshow" button does not appear, you may have selected too many photos. Facebook slideshows typically support up to 10 photos, though this can vary. Try selecting fewer photos and creating the slideshow again.
If the music is not playing after you post, check your phone or computer's volume settings and make sure you did not mute the browser tab. Slideshows are set to autoplay with sound on desktop, but on mobile they may start muted depending on your device settings. Tapping the video will unmute it.
If the slideshow looks choppy or the photos are cut off, this usually means the photos have different sizes or aspect ratios. Facebook will try to fit them all, but very wide or very tall photos may not display perfectly. Cropping your photos to similar dimensions before uploading can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add text or captions to individual photos in the slideshow?
No, the slideshow tool does not let you add text to individual photos. You can only add one caption to the entire slideshow, which appears when someone clicks on it. If you need text on specific photos, you would need to edit the photos before uploading them or post them as a regular album instead.
How long can a slideshow be?
Most slideshows can include up to 10 photos. The total length of the video depends on how many photos you include and what speed you choose. A 10-photo slideshow on slow speed might be 30 to 40 seconds; on fast speed, it could be 10 to 15 seconds.
Can I use my own music instead of Facebook's library?
No, the slideshow tool only lets you choose from Facebook's built-in music library. If you want to use a specific song you own, you would need to create the slideshow in a video editor like iMovie or Windows Photos, then post it as a regular video instead.
What if I want to post photos as an album instead of a slideshow?
When you upload multiple photos, Facebook gives you the option to create a slideshow or post them as an album. If you do not click "Create Slideshow," they will post as an album where people can scroll through them individually. You can always change your mind and delete the slideshow, then repost the photos as an album.
Will people see the slideshow if they have autoplay turned off?
Yes, but it will not play automatically. People with autoplay disabled will see a still image from the slideshow with a play button. They can tap or click the button to watch it, but it will not start on its own as they scroll through the feed.