Slideshow options in Photoshop Elements 2026

[melissa_1372]

I have Photoshop ELements 2026. Version 26. I'm wanting to create a slideshow. I've chosen my images in Organizer and clicked Create Slideshow. The only options I have are Media, Music, and Themes. That is it. I do not have any options to change speed, add text, etc. There is no editor at all. I just contacted Adobe support. I shared my screen with him. After trying to help me figure it out, which took well over a half hour, he said there are no editing options. It's just media, music, and themes. Period. No editing. Is that the way it's supposed to be?? Why would anyone even want to use it? There are other (free!) programs out there that will have so many more options.

[Greg_S.]

Well, if you want confirmation, yes it is true that the Elements Organizer slideshow only provides templates with limited editing possibilities.  If you want more control over your slideshow, then you need a different authoring program.  Of course, Premiere Elements is a video editor that gives you total control over creating a slideshow.  But as you say, there are plenty of other slideshow programs.  

One small point: the Organizer's slideshow allows you to add title cards for text.  You can also use captions to add text to a slide.

[melissa_1372]

Thanks Greg. I could swear I saw a Youtube tutorial that showed more robust capabilities for Elements slideshows. I did eventually see the text additions (for some reason, it didn't appear immediately), but I wish the rep would have told me from the beginning that the slideshow was so limited. His initial instructions to me was to use the editing function, but there was none. He went through hoops trying to help me find something that wasn't there. It was my first time using the Organizer. I've only used the Photo Editor which I'm very happy with. I did eventually use a different (free) program to make my slideshow, which I can use going forward. Appreciate the help.

[Greg_S.]

Older versions of Elements had a more flexible slideshow program which allowed for changes in timing and transitions.  For that reason, many Elements users have kept their older versions to use just for this purpose.

And if you are using the Organizer (which I highly recommend), you can click and drag thumbnails from the Organizer's grid to most other Windows programs.