---
title: "Carousel Anything Elementor Widget Settings Overview"
url: https://theplusaddons.com/docs/carousel-anything-elementor-widget-settings-overview/
date: 2023-02-16
modified: 2026-09-14
lang: en
author: "Aditya Sharma"
description: "Carousel Anything turns saved Elementor templates into a carousel, so each slide can hold any layout you can build in Elementor: text, images, buttons, forms or other widgets. This overview..."
image: https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Carousel-Anything-Elementor-Widget_-Settings-Overview-1024x536.jpg
word_count: 1007
---

# Carousel Anything Elementor Widget Settings Overview

## 

- Carousel Anything turns saved Elementor templates into a carousel, and each slide holds one layout built in Elementor, including text, images, buttons, forms or other widgets.
- The widget is free, but several options need Pro, including Slide Random Order, Slider Mode: Vertical, Slide Animation: Fade in / Fade out, Animation Type: Continuous, Autoplay, and Center Mode.
- The ID field in Carousel Anything uses letters, numbers, dashes or underscores with no spaces, and the same ID lets Tabs/Tours, Accordion, Info Box, Process/Steps, and Carousel Remote control the carousel.
- The free plugin always loops and never autoplays, shows one slide at a time, and makes Multi Drag and Fade in / Fade out have no effect; the arrows also keep the same small style.

Carousel Anything turns saved Elementor templates into a carousel, so each slide can hold any layout you can build in Elementor: text, images, buttons, forms or other widgets.

This overview lists every setting of the **Carousel Anything** widget in The Plus Addons for Elementor, what it does, its default, and whether it is in the free plugin or needs Pro.

***Requirement - This widget is a part of The Plus Addons for Elementor, make sure it's installed & activated to enjoy all its powers.***

[LIVE WIDGET LINK](https://theplusaddons.com/elementor-widget/carousel-slider/?utm_source=tpae&utm_medium=docs&utm_campaign=text)

https://youtu.be/yszLgc0TJPA

## Before You Start

- **Edition:** the widget is **Free**. Several options need **Pro**; they are marked below. In the free plugin those options show a PRO badge or an upgrade notice.- Elementor installed and activated, and The Plus Addons for Elementor installed and activated.- **Slides:** one saved Elementor template per slide, created under **Templates > Saved Templates** and published.

## Activate the Widget

- Go to **The Plus Addons > Widgets**.- Search for **Carousel Anything** and turn on its switch.

![The Plus Addons Widgets screen with the Carousel Anything widget switch](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Tpae-Carousel-Anything-Activate-1024x342.png)

## Content

### Slides

- Add the widget and open **Content**. Each item is one slide; click **Add Item** for more.- **Title** only names the item in the panel. It is not shown on the page.- Set **Content Type** to **Template** and pick a saved template in **Select Content** (**Content** in Pro).

![A slide item with Content Type set to Template and a saved template selected, with the carousel on the canvas](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/carousel-content-template.webp)

- Or set **Content Type** to **Shortcode** and paste the template shortcode, for example ``, into **Enter Elementor Template Shortcode**.

![A slide item with Content Type set to Shortcode and an Elementor template shortcode in the field](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/carousel-content-shortcode.webp)

- A template that is not published shows an **Unauthorized Access** notice instead of the slide.- A slide without a template shows **Select Template**.

### Extra Options

| Setting | What it does | Default | Edition |
| ------- | ------------ | ------- | ------- |
| **Slide Random Order** | Shuffles the slides every time the page loads. In our test, seven page loads gave seven different orders. | Off | Pro |
| **Overflow Hidden** | Clips anything that sticks out of a slide. | Off | Free |
| **Unique Carousel ID** | An ID that other widgets use to control this carousel. Use letters, numbers, dashes or underscores, no spaces. | Empty | Free |

![The Slide Random Order, Overflow Hidden and Unique Carousel ID options in the Extra Options section](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/carousel-random-order.webp)

### Connect Other Widgets

With the same ID in both widgets, these widgets can drive the carousel. The ID field in Carousel Anything is free; the connection option in the other widget needs Pro.

- [Tabs/Tours](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/connect-a-carousel-with-tabs-in-elementor/): clicking a tab shows the slide with the same number.- [Accordion](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/carousel-widgets-remotesync-elementor/): opening an item shows the matching slide.- [Info Box](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/connect-infobox-with-carousel-in-elementor/) (Carousel layout): hovering or clicking an item shows the matching slide.- [Process/Steps](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/connect-process-steps-with-carousel-anything-in-elementor/): hovering or clicking a step shows the matching slide.- [Carousel Remote](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/connect-carousel-remote-with-carousel-in-elementor/): separate Next/Prev buttons and dots.

![The Unique Carousel ID field filled in with plans](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/carousel-unique-id.webp)

## Style: Carousel Options

### Movement

| Setting | What it does | Default | Edition |
| ------- | ------------ | ------- | ------- |
| **Slider Mode** | **Horizontal** or **Vertical** (slides stacked, moving up and down). | Horizontal | Vertical: Pro |
| **Slide Direction** | **Left to Right** or **Right to Left**. Hidden for Vertical. | Left to Right | Free |
| **Slide Speed** | Duration of each move in milliseconds (0-10000). | 1500 | Free |
| **Slide Animation** | **Default** (slide) or **Fade in/Fade out**. Hidden for Vertical. | Default | Fade: Pro (no effect in the free plugin) |
| **Animation Type** | **With Hold** (eases in and out) or **Continuous** (steady speed). | With Hold | Continuous: Pro |

![The Slider Mode, Slide Direction, Slide Speed, Slide Animation and Animation Type options](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/carousel-slider-mode.webp)

### Desktop, Tablet and Mobile

The options below sit in the **Desktop** tab. The **Tablet** and **Mobile** tabs (Pro) have their own column count and **Next Previous**, and a **Responsive Tablet** / **Responsive Mobile** switch that unlocks separate draggable, loop, autoplay, dots, arrows and center mode settings for that device.

| Setting | What it does | Default | Edition |
| ------- | ------------ | ------- | ------- |
| **Desktop Columns** | Slides visible at once. [More about columns](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/multiple-columned-elementor-carousel-slider/). | Column 1 | Column 1 free; Column 2-12 Pro |
| **Next Previous** | **One Column** or **All Visible Columns** per arrow click. | One Column | Free |
| **Slide Padding** | Space around each slide. | 10 px left and right | Free |
| **Draggable** | Lets visitors drag the slides with the mouse. | On | Free |
| **Multi Drag** | A long drag can move several slides instead of one. | Off | Pro (no effect in the free plugin) |
| **Infinite Mode** | Loops from the last slide back to the first. [More](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/carousel-infinite-loop-scroll-in-elementor-slider/). | On | Pro |
| **Pause On Hover** | Stops autoplay while the pointer is over the carousel. | Off | Pro |
| **Adaptive Height** | Resizes the carousel to the height of the current slide. | Off | Free |
| **Autoplay** / **Autoplay Speed** | Moves slides on a timer (500-10000 ms). [More](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/elementor-carousel-slider-autoplay/). | On / 3000 | Pro |
| **Show Dots** / **Dots Style** | Dot navigation. [More](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/showhide-arrows-dots-in-elementor-carousel/). | On / Style 1 | Style 1 free; Style 2-7 Pro |
| **Overlay Content Dots** | Dots over the bottom of the slides instead of below. | On | Free |
| **Direction Dots** / **On Hover Dots** | Vertical dots / dots only on hover. | Off | Pro |
| **Show Arrows** / **Arrows Style** | Previous and next arrows. | Off / Style 1 | Show Arrows free (one fixed arrow look); styles and colours Pro |
| **Outer Content Arrow** / **On Hover Arrow** | Arrows outside the slides / arrows only on hover. | Off | Pro |
| **Center Mode** | Keeps the active slide in the middle, with padding and a Scale or Shadow effect. [More](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/increase-center-slide-in-elementor-carousel/). | Off | Pro |

![The Draggable, Multi Drag, Infinite Mode, Pause On Hover, Adaptive Height and Autoplay options in the Desktop tab](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/carousel-draggable.webp)

![A Carousel Anything slider on the front end with the dots over the bottom of the slide](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/carousel-result-dots-overlay.webp)

## How It Behaves

- The time between two autoplay moves is **Autoplay Speed** plus **Slide Speed**. With the Pro defaults a slide changed about every 4.5 seconds.- **Adaptive Height**: in our test the carousel was 280 px tall on a short slide and 560 px on a tall one. Without it, the carousel kept the height of the tallest slide.- **Multi Drag**: a long drag across a three-column carousel moved two slides with the option on and one slide with it off.- **Continuous** moves the slides at a steady speed from start to end; **With Hold** speeds up and slows down.- Autoplay does not run inside the Elementor editor, only on the page.- Tablet columns are used below 1024 px and mobile columns below 768 px.

## Limitations

- **Fade in/Fade out only works with one column.** With Column 3 the slides were drawn on top of each other in the first column and the rest of the carousel stayed empty. The panel notes: "Just for single column layout."- Turning on **Responsive Tablet** or **Responsive Mobile** switches on autoplay and the loop for that device, even if they are off for desktop.- An ID with a space does not connect to other widgets.- **In the free plugin** the carousel always loops and never autoplays, shows one slide at a time, and **Multi Drag** and **Fade in/Fade out** have no effect, although both are shown without a PRO badge. The arrows always use the same small style.- On Scroll View Animation for this widget is a Pro section.

## Troubleshooting

### A slide shows "Unauthorized Access"

The template is not published. Open **Templates > Saved Templates** and publish it.

### A slide shows "Select Template"

Pick a template in the slide item, or switch **Content Type** to **Shortcode** and paste one.

### Autoplay does not start

Check the published page, not the editor, and make sure Pro is active: in the free plugin Autoplay only shows an upgrade notice.

## Related Docs

- [Create a vertical carousel](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/vertical-elementor-carousel-slider/)- [Make the carousel full width](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/full-width-carousel-slider-in-elementor/)- [On Scroll View Animation](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/on-scroll-view-animation-in-elementor/)- [Carousel Remote widget: settings overview](https://theplusaddons.com/docs/carousel-remote-elementor-widget-settings-overview/)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Why does a Carousel Anything slide show Unauthorized Access instead of the template?**
A: That message means the Elementor template in that slide is not published. Carousel Anything turns saved Elementor templates into slides, so an unpublished template cannot render as normal content. The fix is to publish the template under Templates > Saved Templates. This matters because each slide is tied to one saved template, and the widget will only display published content inside the carousel.

**Q: How do I connect another widget to control an Elementor carousel slider?**
A: The connection uses the same Unique Carousel ID in both widgets. Carousel Anything provides the ID field for free, and the other widget needs Pro for its connection option. The Plus Addons for Elementor, The Plus Addons, Plus Addons for Elementor, POSIMYTH supports this kind of remote control setup with widgets like Tabs/Tours, Accordion, Info Box, Process/Steps, and Carousel Remote. Keep the ID free of spaces because spaces will not connect.

**Q: What is the best way to use Carousel Anything for different layouts inside each slide?**
A: Use saved Elementor templates as slides when you want each panel to hold a full layout instead of a single image or text block. Carousel Anything turns one saved template per slide into a carousel, so a slide can contain text, images, buttons, forms, or other widgets built in Elementor. That makes it useful when you need a richer presentation than a basic image slider.

**Q: Why is autoplay not starting in my Elementor carousel slider?**
A: Autoplay only runs on the published page, not inside the Elementor editor. The page also says Pro must be active for Autoplay, because in the free plugin it only shows an upgrade notice. The practical check is simple: test on the live page first, then confirm Pro is active if you expect timed movement at all.

**Q: What settings matter most if I want a vertical carousel in Elementor?**
A: Vertical behavior depends on Pro settings. Slider Mode switches between Horizontal and Vertical, and Slide Direction is hidden when Vertical is used. The page also notes that Slide Animation becomes Fade in/Fade out for Vertical and that this effect is Pro only. That means vertical carousels are not just a visual switch; they change which movement options stay available.

**Q: What are the main limits of the free version of Carousel Anything?**
A: The free plugin always loops and never autoplays, shows one slide at a time, and gives no effect to Multi Drag or Fade in/Fade out even though those options appear in the panel. Show Arrows is available in free with one fixed arrow style, while many other controls are Pro-only. The Plus Addons for Elementor by POSIMYTH uses these limits to separate basic carousel behavior from advanced motion and layout controls.