How to Make a Slideshow on Instagram - Quick Stepwise Guide

Learn how to make a Slideshow on Instagram in minutes! This guide covers step-by-step instructions, common mistakes, and practical uses. For pro-level editing, use CapCut's free feature-rich editing tools, templates and royalty-free music!

CapCut
CapCut
Apr 14, 2025
57 min(s)

How to make a slideshow on Instagram is a must-know skill for creating engaging posts. Slideshows help you tell better stories, showcase products, or highlight events in a visually appealing way. In this guide, you'll learn how to make Instagram slideshows for Stories, Feed, and Reels—step by step. However, Instagram's built-in tools can be limiting. You might face app crashes, fewer effects, and restricted music options. That's where CapCut comes in. It offers a complete solution with royalty-free music, templates, and advanced editing tools. Keep reading to make the right choice and craft stand-out Instagram slideshows.

Table of content
  1. How Instagram slideshows are better than single-image posts
  2. How to create an Instagram slideshow for Stories
  3. How to make an Instagram slideshow for Feed
  4. How to do an Instagram slideshow for Reels
  5. How to make a picture slideshow for Instagram using CapCut
  6. Common uses of Instagram slideshows
  7. Conclusion
  8. FAQs

How Instagram slideshows are better than single-image posts

  • Better storytelling: You can present a sequence of images/videos, making it easier to share a complete narrative. A slideshow helps you guide your audience through a story with more context.
  • Increased engagement: Users spend more time swiping through slideshows, leading to higher interaction rates. Instagram's algorithm prioritizes content that keeps users engaged, helping you gain more visibility.
  • More content in one post: Instead of cluttering your feed with multiple posts, you can showcase up to 10 images or videos in one slideshow. This keeps your profile organized while delivering more value in a single upload.
  • Higher visibility on Instagram: Instagram favors carousel posts because they encourage interaction. If users don't engage on the first slide, Instagram may show them another, increasing your chances of more likes, comments, and shares.
  • Enhanced creativity: You can mix images, videos, text overlays, and effects in a single post. This makes your content more appealing and visually engaging, helping you stand out.

How to create an Instagram slideshow for Stories

An Instagram Story refers to a temporary post that disappears after 24 hours. It allows you to share images, videos, text, stickers, and music in a slideshow format. Instagram Stories appear on the upper section of the Instagram feed and offer interactive features like polls, questions, and links to boost engagement.

    STEP 1
  1. Open Instagram and start a Story

Tap the "+" button on your home screen. Select "Story" mode to begin creating your slideshow.

    STEP 2
  1. Select multiple photos/videos

Tap on the files and select up to 10 images or videos one by one. Arrange them in the order you want them to appear.

    STEP 3
  1. Customize your slideshow

Apply filters to enhance visuals. Add text, stickers, effects, or drawings to make your Story more engaging. Drag and resize elements as needed. Tap the "Music" icon to select a song from Instagram's library. Adjust the clip's duration and add captions if needed for better storytelling.

    STEP 4
  1. Post your Story

Tap Confirm to share your slideshow. It will be visible for 24 hours, and viewers can interact with stickers, polls, or questions.

Creating an Instagram slideshow for Stories

How to make an Instagram slideshow for Feed

In Instagram, the Feed refers to the main section where posts from accounts you follow appear. It includes photos, videos, carousels (slideshows), and sponsored content arranged in a scrollable format. Your Feed post is a permanent upload visible on your profile and followers' home feeds.

    STEP 1
  1. Open Instagram and start a new post

Tap the "+" button at the bottom of your screen. Select "Post" mode to begin creating your slideshow.

    STEP 2
  1. Choose up to 10 photos or videos

Tap "Select Multiple" and pick up to 10 images or videos from your gallery. Arrange them in your preferred order.

    STEP 3
  1. Edit and enhance

Edit each photo individually or apply the same filter to all slides. Adjust brightness, contrast, and crop if needed. Write an engaging caption that adds context.

    STEP 4
  1. Post your slideshow

Tag relevant users and add a location to improve visibility. Tap "Share" to publish your slideshow.

Making an Instagram slideshow for Feed

How to do an Instagram slideshow for Reels

An Instagram Reel refers to a short-form video feature on Instagram that allows you to create, edit, and share engaging videos up to 90 seconds long. Reels can include multiple clips, images, music, text, filters, and effects. They appear in a dedicated Reels tab, the Explore Page, and followers' feeds, making them an excellent tool for increasing reach and engagement.

    STEP 1
  1. Open Instagram and start a new Reel

Tap the "+" button on your home screen and select the "Reels" mode. This opens the Reel editor, where you can add images, music, and effects.

    STEP 2
  1. Select your images

Tap the "+" button at the bottom left and choose the images you want to include. Adjust the duration of each image to match your preferred pacing.

    STEP 3
  1. Add transitions, effects, and music

Enhance your slideshow by applying built-in filters, stickers, and text overlays. Use trending Instagram music or upload your audio for a personalized touch.

    STEP 4
  1. Share your slideshow Reel

Once satisfied, tap "Next," add caption hashtags, and select a cover image. Post your reel to boost engagement and increase reach on Instagram's "Explore" Page.

Making an Instagram slideshow for Reels

However, the Instagram app often lags and crashes. Plus, it lacks advanced editing tools. You don't get many options for effects, transitions, or royalty-free music. That's where CapCut stands out. It's free, easy to use, and packed with features. You can access royalty-free music, images, templates, and effects effortlessly. Plus, you can export slideshows without watermarks. Let's explore how you can create an Instagram slideshow using CapCut.

How to make a picture slideshow for Instagram using CapCut

CapCut, a powerful video editor, makes it easy to create a stunning picture slideshow for Instagram. It offers a built-in music and image library with royalty-free resources, ensuring a legally compliant slideshow. You can enhance your slideshow with filters, effects, and smooth transitions. Whether you're sharing travel memories, product highlights, or event recaps, CapCut has everything you need. Its user-friendly tools let you customize every detail effortlessly. Download CapCut today and create eye-catching Instagram slideshows in minutes!

Key features

  • Customizable templates: You can select from a range of templates that fit your slideshow's theme. You can customize layouts, colors, and fonts to match your style.
  • Rich slideshow editing tools: CapCut provides many slideshow editing tools, including video transitions, effects, and filters.
  • Royalty-free music: You can add background music without worrying about copyright issues from a built-in library of licensed tracks.

Steps to make an Instagram slideshow using CapCut

    STEP 1
  1. Import and arrange your photos

To make an Instagram slideshow using CapCut, begin by opening the app and creating a new project. Click "Import" and upload the photos you want to include. You can also choose images from CapCut's royalty-free library. Drag and rearrange the photos to match your preferred order. Tweak the aspect ratio to 9:16 to make it fit Instagram perfectly.

Import and arrange your photos
    STEP 2
  1. Enhance your slideshow

Next, enhance your slideshow by adding transitions like mix, woosh, or black fade to create a seamless flow. Apply filters and color corrections to match your aesthetic. Add animated text and stickers to make each slide more engaging. Insert music from CapCut's built-in royalty-free library or upload your track for a personalized touch.

Enhance your slideshow
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share on Instagram

Once you're satisfied with the slideshow, tap the "Export" button in the top right corner. Choose the best format, resolution, and frame rate for Instagram.

Export and share on Instagram

Common uses of Instagram slideshows

Instagram slideshows offer a dynamic way to tell stories, showcase content, and keep your audience engaged. It is a wise way whether you want to launch a new product, share vacation highlights, or something else. Here are some key areas where you can use Instagram slideshows:

  • Product showcases: You can highlight multiple angles, features, or variations of a product in one post. This helps you attract potential buyers and improves engagement.
  • Travel experiences: Share your adventures by posting scenic views, hidden gems, and must-visit spots. A slideshow keeps your travel memories organized and visually appealing.
  • Event highlights: Recap special moments from conferences, celebrations, or live shows. You can share a sequence of images and videos to tell a complete event.
  • Tutorials & how-to guides: Make learning more manageable by providing step-by-step instructions with visuals. You can use slideshows to break down complex processes into simple steps.
  • Personal albums & memories: Capture your favorite moments, from family gatherings to vacations. A slideshow lets you share multiple images without cluttering your feed.
  • Behind-the-scenes content: You can offer your followers a peek into your creative process, workspace, or daily routine. This assists in building trust and strengthens your connection with your audience.

Conclusion

How to make a slideshow on Instagram is a simple yet effective way to create appealing posts. Whether you want to showcase products, share travel experiences, or highlight special moments, slideshows let you tell a better story. You can combine images, videos, music, and effects to make your content more appealing. However, Instagram's built-in tools have limitations. If you need advanced features, CapCut is the best solution. It offers customizable templates, royalty-free music, and smooth transitions. With CapCut, you can create high-quality slideshows effortlessly. Start using CapCut today and make your Instagram slideshows stand out from the rest.

FAQs

    1
  1. How to speed up a slideshow on Instagram?

You can speed up a slideshow by adjusting slide duration and transition speed on Instagram. However, Instagram has fewer built-in slideshow editing functions, so we recommend using CapCut desktop to create slideshow videos. It provides a large number of video transitions and other editing functions, and helps you to adjust the display time of each slide easily. Once finished, you can directly share the slideshow on the Instagram site.

    2
  1. What should be the maximum duration of creating a slideshow on Instagram?

Instagram allows you to publish up to 60 seconds for Reels and 90 seconds for Stories. For regular feed posts there is no limit on time duration. A slideshow (carousel) can have up to 10 images, each displaying for a few seconds. Keep your slideshow short and engaging to maintain audience attention. If needed, split longer content into multiple parts.

    3
  1. How to download a slideshow on Instagram to publish on other platforms?

You can download your slideshow by saving it before posting. If already posted, go to your profile, open the slideshow, and use the "Save" option. For Stories, save them before they expire. Third-party tools like CapCut can also help edit slideshows for republishing.