Reel – Homepage Slideshow

This tutorial shows you how to enable, configure, or remove the built-in slideshow on your homepage. The Reel theme offers multiple homepage templates that automatically include the slideshow at the top of the page.

1. Displaying the Built-In Slideshow
2. Adding and Managing Slideshow Items
3. Using a Video Background Instead of a Slideshow
4. Customizing the Homepage Slider
5. Disabling the Homepage Slideshow

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1. Displaying the Built-In Slideshow

The slideshow appears automatically on the homepage if you use one of the following templates:

• Homepage (With Slideshow)
• Homepage (Portfolio Infinite Scroll)
• Homepage (Portfolio Isotope)

You do not need to insert the slideshow manually—just choose one of the templates above when creating or editing your homepage.

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2. Adding and Managing Slideshow Items

To create a new slide go to Slideshow → Add New Slideshow Item in your Dashboard. Each post represents one slide in the homepage slideshow.

Use the available settings to configure each slideshow item:

1. Add a Title

This will appear as the main heading on the homepage slider.

2. Add Content (Optional)

The content of the slideshow post is displayed as a short description below the heading.

3. Add a Featured Image

Used for static image background slides and also serves as a fallback image for video backgrounds on mobile devices or while the video is still loading.

Tip: For video background slides, set the first frame of the video as the featured image to avoid a black screen flash before loading.

The recommended size for the Featured Image is: 2200x1800px.

4. Add a Video Background

In the Video Settings section (below the editor), choose between:

• Self-hosted video (MP4)
• YouTube video URL
• Vimeo video URL

5. Add a Video Lightbox (Optional)

Allows you to add a clickable play icon that opens a video in a lightbox—even when using a static image background.

6. Add a Slide URL or Button

In the right sidebar under Slideshow Options, you can:

• Add a URL to make the slide title clickable
• Add a button with a custom label and URL

Reordering Slideshow Items

To reorder slides, go to Slideshow → Re-order and drag items to rearrange them.

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3. Using a Video Background Instead of a Slideshow

If you prefer to use a single video background instead of a slideshow:

1. Create a new page or edit your homepage.

2. Use the Page Builder (Full-width) template.

3. Click Edit with Elementor.

4. Add a new Section and go to the Style tab.

5. Set the Background Type to Video.

6. Enter the URL of your MP4 file or YouTube video.

This method displays a single, non-scrollable video. It can improve page load times and overall performance compared to using multiple slides.

See more:
Reel Elementor Integration

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4. Customizing the Homepage Slider

To adjust slideshow settings, go to Appearance → Customize → Homepage Slider.

Use the following available options:

• Display or hide homepage slider
• Number of Posts in Slider
• Autoplay on/off
• Display Slide Title?
• Display Slide Content?
• Display Navigation Arrows?
• Enable overlay background?
• Background Gradient Color
• Slider Effect
• Enable/disable Play Background Video on Mobile?

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5. Disabling the Homepage Slideshow

To remove the slideshow from your homepage:

1. Go to Appearance → Customize → Homepage Slider.
2. Uncheck Display Slideshow on homepage?
3. Click Publish to save your changes.

This is useful if you are using a template that automatically includes the slideshow but prefer not to display it.

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See also:
Setting up the Homepage
Reel Elementor Integration
Video Background Support in Slideshow