Create a carousel on a group page

A group page is composed of sections called widgets that you can add, delete, reorder, and configure. The carousel widget is a slideshow that highlights multiple training content for learners on a group page, link to internal or external material, and convey messages with a call to action.

• A group page can display only one carousel.
• The content of the carousel is not replicated in subgroups.

Learners can navigate the carousel by clicking the arrows next to each slide or waiting until the carousel switches automatically to the following slide.

You can add multiple widgets to your group page to customize the learner experience. For the full list of widgets, see Configure the layout of a group page.

Add a carousel widget to a group page

To add a carousel widget to a group page, see Configure the layout of a group page.

Once the widget is added to a group page layout, the carousel is only displayed if an admin has added slides to the carousel. If a carousel widget is added to the page layout but doesn't have content, then the carousel section is hidden from the group page.

Add a slide to the carousel

The following optional elements compose a carousel slide:

• An image (see carousel image recommendations)
• A title (200 characters maximum)
• A description (700 characters maximum)
• A link that redirects learners to a web page (inside or outside the platform) or that allows them to easily send an email to any address you specify. 
  • If you add a link to the poster layout, the learner can click anywhere on the slide to be redirected to the specified URL.
  • If you add a link to the postcard layout, the learner can click on the image and the button to be redirected to the specified URL.
• With the postcard layout: A button with the link (50 characters maximum)

The amount of text displayed in the carousel depends on the users' browser window size, the zoom settings, and the newsfeed display status (right-panel expanded or hidden).

To add a slide to the carousel:

1. In the left sidebar, click on a group.
2. At the top right of the main section, click Page Layout.
3. In the Page layout panel, select Carousel.
   • If you don't see the Carousel widget, add a carousel widget to the group page.
4. Click ADD SLIDE.
5. Click to add an image.
   The Select an image dialog box opens. 
6. Import or Reuse an image. For more details on the recommended image dimensions and format, see Carousel image recommendations.
7. Select the Layout:
   • The poster layout displays a full image slide with the text on top of the image. This layout is selected by default.
   • The postcard layout displays the image on the left side of the slide and the accompanying text on the right of the slide.
8. Enter a Title and a Description.
9. Optional: If you selected the postcard layout, enter the Button text. If you do not add a button text, the slide won’t display any button.
10. In the Link field, enter either of the following:
    
    • A URL address to redirect learners to a web page (inside or outside the platform).
    • A mailto link to allow learners to easily send an email from their own address to any recipient you specify. When a learner clicks on the mailto link in the carousel, the default email client of the learner's browser opens a new email with the recipient pre-filled.
      • To enter a mailto link, type mailto: and add the recipient email address. For example, mailto:grace.hopper@domain.com.
      • You can use a free mailto generator like this one to generate a mailto link with multiple recipients, or with the subject line and the body pre-filled.
11. Click APPLY.
    The group page displays the carousel slide.
12. To continue editing the carousel, click on the left of the slide title.
13. To close the Page Layout panel, click CLOSE.

Edit a carousel

You can edit the image, title, description, link, and button text of each carousel slide.

1. In the left sidebar, click on a group.
2. At the top right of the main section, click Page Layout.
3. In the Page layout panel, select Carousel. 
4. Click the slide you wish to edit.
5. At the top right of the image, click  Edit to select a new image.
6. Click on a field to edit it.
7. Click APPLY.

Schedule the display of a carousel slide

You can schedule when each slide in a carousel appears on the group page for all members:

1. In the left sidebar, click on a group.
2. At the top right of the main section, click Page Layout.
3. In the right-side panel, click Carousel.
4. Select the carousel slide you wish to schedule.
5. At the right of Schedule display, switch the toggle to the on position.
6. Select a Start and/or an End date and time.
   • If you select only a Start date, the slide will be displayed starting from the selected date.
   • If you select only an End date, the slide appears immediately on the group page and will be removed on the selected date.
   • If you select both a Start and an End date, the slide will be shown on the group page between the selected dates.
7. Click APPLY.

You can edit these dates at any time.

To deactivate the display schedule, switch the toggle to the off position in step 5. The slide will then remain on the group page until you either delete it or set a new display schedule.

Reorder carousel slides

1. In the left sidebar, click on a group.
2. At the top right of the main section, click Page Layout.
3. In the Page layout panel, select Carousel.
4. On the left of a slide, click  to drag and drop it up or down. 
5. Click APPLY.

Delete a carousel slide

1. In the left sidebar, click on a group.
2. At the top right of the main section, click Page Layout.
3. In the Page layout panel, select Carousel.
4. Select the slide you wish to delete.
5. At the bottom of the right panel, click DELETE SLIDE.
6. Click APPLY.

If you delete all the carousel slides, the carousel section is hidden from the group page.

Carousel image recommendations

Format

Carousel images can be in JPEG, PNG, or GIF format.

Image dimensions

We recommend the following image dimensions for each layout:

•  Poster layout: 1600x600 pixels
•  Postcard layout: 800x600 pixels

Smaller images may appear blurry or pixelated. Bigger images may be cropped.

No matter which image size you use, try to keep the main focus of the image near the center, with ample space above, below, and to the sides of that focus, whenever possible.

Additional information

• We recommend using an image that does not contain any text to avoid an overlap between your visuals and the slide description.
• In the poster layout, the image is darkened with a dark gradient with the following CSS characteristics:

  linear-gradient(rgba(255, 255, 255, 0), rgb(24, 25, 29))

Carousel vs gallery

Carousels and galleries allow you to showcase specific content on group pages and redirect learners to internal or external URLs. Here are the basic differences between them:

• A carousel is a slideshow consisting of multiple slides. 
  • Each slide can have an image, a title, a long description, and a hidden link or a button with a link.
  • The group page displays 1 slide at a time.
  • Learners can navigate the carousel by clicking the arrows next to each slide or waiting until the carousel switches automatically to the following slide.
  • Carousels are ideal for conveying a message with a call to action.
• A gallery displays up to 3 blocks in a row. 
  • Each block can have an image, a brief caption, and a hidden link.
  • The group page displays all the blocks at the same time.
  • Galleries are ideal for categorizing content and improving the navigation experience inside and outside the platform.