# Build an email template

Source: https://help.meisa.io/articles/build-an-email-template

A template is a reusable email design you can use in broadcasts, sequences and transactional emails. Go to **Templates**, click **New template**, start from a ready-made design or a blank email, then edit it in the visual editor and save.

![The Templates page with your saved designs](https://cdn.kamaan.io/kamaan/sites/6ae9f671d5ea373710b2366f/images/meisa-templates-list-c57b9d93.webp)
## Create a template

1. Go to **Templates** and click **New template**.
2. In **Start With What Works**, browse by category (**Onboarding**, **Engagement**, **Win-Back**, **Sales & Offers**, **Receipts & Alerts**, **Newsletter**) or search, and pick a design. To start from nothing, click **Blank Email**.
3. Click the title at the top and give the template a name.
4. Fill in the **Subject** and the **Preview text**, the grey line shown next to the subject in the inbox.
5. Edit the content (see below).
6. Click **Save**, or press Ctrl+S (Cmd+S on a Mac). The status changes from "Unsaved changes" to "All changes saved".

![The template editor with blocks and settings](https://cdn.kamaan.io/kamaan/sites/6ae9f671d5ea373710b2366f/images/meisa-template-editor-81473eac.webp)
## Edit the content

Use **Edit as** at the top to pick how you work:

- **Visual:** drag and drop blocks. Click **Add a block** (or the plus between blocks) to add Text, Heading, Image, Button, Divider, Spacer, List, Quote, Callout Box, Product Card, Video, Social Links, Footer and more. Click a block to change its text, colours and spacing. Use the block toolbar to move, duplicate or delete it.
- **Code:** edit the HTML directly, for example to paste a design from another tool.
- **Plain text:** write a text-only email.

Use **Undo** and **Redo** at the top if you make a mistake.

## Personalise it

Type merge tags anywhere in the subject or content:

- `{{first_name}}` inserts the contact's first name.
- `{{first_name|there}}` uses "there" when the first name is empty, so "Hi {{first_name|there}}" never reads "Hi ,".
- Custom fields work the same way, for example `{{plan}}`.

See [Use custom fields and tags](/articles/custom-fields-and-tags).

## Reuse blocks across templates

Built a footer or signature you want everywhere? Select the block and click **Save as a saved block**. It then shows under **Your saved blocks** when you add a block to any template. Manage them from **Templates**, **Saved blocks**.

## Check it before you use it

- Click **Preview** to see it on desktop and phone.
- Click **Send a test** to get it in your inbox with a sample person filled in. See [Send a test email](/articles/send-a-test-email).
- Open **Inbox check** to see how it reads to spam filters and to add or review variations. See [Write and approve email variations](/articles/approve-email-variations).

## Use the template

- **In a broadcast:** in **What they get**, choose **Use a saved template**, then **Choose a template**. If you opened the editor from a broadcast, click **Use in broadcast** to go back with it selected.
- **In a sequence or transactional email:** pick it in the email step or trigger.

## Manage templates

On the **Templates** page you can search, filter by category or tag, sort, and switch between grid and list view. Open **More actions** in the editor for **Details (category, tags)**, **Duplicate template** and **Delete template**.

## Troubleshooting

- **"Give the template a name first. Click the title at the top."** Name it, then save.
- **"Add a subject line first."** Fill in the **Subject**.
- **"Add some content to the email first."** Add at least one block or some text.
- **"Remove 1 link or button?"** You deleted the words on a link or button. Click **Save and remove** to confirm, or undo.
- **A test shows the old version:** tests use your last saved version. Save first.

## Related articles

- [Send your first broadcast](/articles/send-your-first-broadcast)
- [Send a test email to yourself or your team](/articles/send-a-test-email)
- [Write and approve email variations (spintax)](/articles/approve-email-variations)