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How to Create a SharePoint Carousel for PDF Files
Question details
The user needs to display PDF documents in a carousel format on a SharePoint page without creating individual news posts for each file.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Displaying multiple PDF files dynamically on a SharePoint site so visitors can easily browse and open them.
- Observed behavior
- The standard SharePoint Image Carousel web part does not natively support PDF files, preventing users from adding documents directly to the carousel.
Ensure you have the necessary edit permissions for the target SharePoint site and that your PDF files are already uploaded to a document library on that site.
Use the Highlighted Content Web Part
Since the default Image Carousel does not support document files, the Highlighted Content web part is the best alternative to display PDFs in a dynamic carousel or filmstrip layout.
The Highlighted Content web part dynamically pulls content from document libraries or sites based on filters. By filtering for PDF files and changing the layout view, you can mimic the behavior of an image carousel for your documents.
Navigate to your SharePoint page and click the 'Edit' button located in the top right corner of the screen.
Hover over the page canvas to reveal the plus (+) icon, click it, search for 'Highlighted Content', and select it to add the web part to your section.
Click the pencil icon next to the web part to open the property pane. Set the 'Source' to the document library containing your files, and change the 'Document type' filter to show only PDF files.
Scroll down in the property pane to the 'Layout' section. Choose either the 'Carousel' or 'Filmstrip' layout option.
Once the PDF files appear correctly in the page preview, click the 'Republish' button at the top right to save and display the changes to your site visitors.
Edit and Manage Your PDFs Easily with WPS Office
While SharePoint is excellent for hosting your team's documents, preparing those files requires reliable software. WPS Office is a powerful, free alternative to Microsoft Office that includes a robust built-in PDF editor, allowing you to easily create, annotate, and manage PDF files before uploading them to your SharePoint sites.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package suited for your operating system.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software.
- 3. Edit your PDFs: Open WPS Office, launch the PDF editor, and prepare your documents perfectly before uploading them to your SharePoint library.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I use the standard Image Carousel for PDFs in SharePoint?
The native SharePoint Image Carousel web part is designed exclusively for image file formats like JPG or PNG. It lacks the built-in rendering capabilities required to preview or display document formats such as PDF.
Can I link the Highlighted Content web part to a specific folder instead of a whole library?
Yes, when configuring the Highlighted Content web part properties, you can choose 'A document library on this site' and then apply specific filters, or use a custom KQL query to target files within a specific folder path.
What if the Filmstrip or Carousel layout crops my PDF previews poorly?
SharePoint auto-generates thumbnails for PDFs, which sometimes results in awkward cropping in the Carousel view. If the automatic preview is unsatisfactory, you may need to rely on the Grid or List layouts, or submit a feature enhancement idea to the SharePoint feedback portal.
