LinkedIn Slideshows, Documents & Carousels Explained (+ Sizes)

If you've searched for how to make a "LinkedIn slideshow," a "LinkedIn slider," a "LinkedIn document post," or a "LinkedIn carousel," you've probably noticed something confusing: people use all of these words to describe what looks like the same thing.

Here's the plain-English breakdown of what each term actually means, how the format works, and the sizes you should use.

They're (Mostly) the Same Thing

Let's clear this up first: LinkedIn slideshow, LinkedIn slider, LinkedIn carousel, and LinkedIn document post almost always refer to the same feature — the document post.

LinkedIn never officially launched a feature called a "carousel." Creators borrowed the word from Instagram. What's actually happening under the hood is this: you upload a document (a PDF, PowerPoint, or Word file), and LinkedIn renders it as a swipeable, multi-page viewer in the feed.

So:

• "Document post" → the official LinkedIn term.
• "Carousel" → the creator nickname (borrowed from Instagram).
• "Slideshow" / "slides" / "slider" → casual names for the same swipeable document.

There was a separate, short-lived native carousel ad format, and there are video "slideshow" ads, but for organic content, the swipeable thing you see in your feed is a document post.

How a LinkedIn Document Post Works

You upload a file. LinkedIn converts it into pages and shows them in an embedded viewer. Readers swipe (or click arrows) through the pages without leaving the feed.

Accepted file types:

PDF is the gold standard because it locks in your design exactly as intended. See the full LinkedIn carousel specs for font embedding and file-size details.

Recommended Sizes for LinkedIn Slides

Whatever you call it, the sizing rules are the same:

Square (1:1) is the safest default. It looks good on both mobile and desktop and translates directly from Instagram. Use landscape only when your content is genuinely presentation-style.

Page and File Limits

• Pages: up to 300 (but 5–15 slides is the engagement sweet spot)
• File size: up to 100MB (aim for under 10MB so it loads fast)
• Resolution: no strict minimum, but design at 1080px on the shortest side

Shorter decks tend to perform better because completion rate — how many readers reach the last slide — is a positive signal to LinkedIn's algorithm.

Why the Format Matters for Reach

LinkedIn's algorithm rewards dwell time — how long someone spends on your post. A swipeable document naturally keeps people engaged longer than a single image or a block of text, which is exactly why document posts consistently out-reach other organic formats.

That's the whole reason "LinkedIn carousels" became a thing: they're one of the highest-performing organic formats on the platform.

How to Create One

You have two paths:

1. Design from scratch in Canva, Figma, or PowerPoint at 1080×1080px, then export as a PDF with embedded fonts.
2. Repurpose an Instagram carousel by reformatting the slides to square and merging them into a PDF — which igli does automatically.

Either way, you upload the finished PDF via the document icon in the LinkedIn post composer. Step-by-step: how to post a carousel on LinkedIn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a LinkedIn slideshow the same as a carousel?

For organic posts, yes. "Slideshow," "slider," "carousel," and "document post" all describe the same swipeable document feature.

What format should a LinkedIn slideshow be?

A PDF sized at 1080×1080px (square) for most content, or 1920×1080px (landscape) for presentation-style decks. Embed your fonts.

Can I upload images directly as a LinkedIn slideshow?

No. Images uploaded through the photo button post as a static gallery. You need a document (PDF) upload to get the swipeable carousel.

How do I turn an Instagram carousel into a LinkedIn document?

Reformat the slides to square and merge them into a PDF. igli does this automatically — just drag in your slides or paste the Instagram post URL.

The Bottom Line

Don't let the vocabulary trip you up. A LinkedIn slideshow, slider, carousel, and document post are the same swipeable PDF feature. Size your slides square, keep them to 5–15 pages, embed your fonts, and upload via the document icon.