With the visual email builder of Campaign Studio, you can build emails faster and reduce the time required to launch new campaigns. You can utilize pre-built templates and create customized email templates using the drag-and-drop interface to build emails that are Outlook-friendly and mobile-responsive. To use the builder, HTML or CSS knowledge is not required. However, these options are available through Code Mode and within the email builder.
The email builder has two areas:
- The content area on the left where you edit and stage the content
- The properties area on the right
To customize a template, drag-and-drop content blocks and rows onto the content area. You can edit the properties and content in the content area and the properties area.
Building an email with the email builder
To build an email with the email builder:
- Log in to Campaign Studio.
- In the left menu, click Channels.
- Click Emails.
- On the Emails page, click +New.
On the What type of email do you want to create? pop-up window, select one of the following options:
- New Template Email
- New Segment Email
For more information about emails, see Email basics.
- On the resulting page, select an email template.
- On the New Email page, enter appropriate values in the mandatory fields and click Save.
- Click Builder.
- Create your email message in the email builder.
(Optional) To save your changes while creating the email message, continue clicking Save.
If you click Save in the email builder without completing Step 7, the system prompts you to close the builder and fill in the mandatory fields on the New Email page.
After you finish creating the email, click Close Builder.
The system redirects you to the Edit Email page.
On the Edit Email page, click one of the following options based on your requirement:
- Save
- Save & Close
- Save as Draft
If an email contains corrupted data that prevents the JSON formatting from saving, Campaign Studio displays the following notification:
The email is not saved properly due to invalid content. Please remove the invalid content and try to save again.
Properties area
The properties area on the right contain the following tabs:
- Content: Select and edit the content blocks that you want in your email message. For example, buttons, images, and text blocks.
- Rows: Select from different structural blocks to organize your content. For example, single-column or multi-column rows. You can add content blocks to these rows.
- Settings: Define the settings of the email template. For example, a default font.
As a best practice, use these tabs in the following order:
- Settings: Configure general settings for the email
- Rows: Add rows if applicable
- Content: Add content blocks to your email message
Content
The Content tab provides the following functionalities:
To use a new content block, select the block and drag it from the Content section on the right and drop it to the content area on the left.
To view or edit the properties of a specific content block, select the block in the content area on the left. The system opens the Content Properties section on the right and displays a toolbar for the content in the content area on the left.
Note
Properties differ for the various content block types.
To move a specific content block, drag the block to another location within the content area.
The icons in the content area on the left and in the Content Properties toolbar on the right provide the following functionalities:
- Delete - Delete the selected content block.
Duplicate - Make a copy of the selected content block.
The content block types available in the email builder include:
- Title block
- Paragraph block
- List block
- Image block
- Button block
- Divider block
- Social block
- HTML block
- Video block
- Icons block
- Menu block
- Text block
- Acquia DAM block
- Dynamic Content block
Title block
With the Title block, you can define the sections of your email while improving accessibility. Screen readers and other accessibility tools can identify the sections with H1, H2, and H3 headings.
The toolbar in the content area on the left contains the following options when the Title block is selected:
- Bold
- Italic
- Underline
- If you want the underline to have the same color as the title, apply the underline before changing the color.
- If you want the underline to have a different color than the title, first set the color of the title as the color that you want the underline to have, apply the underline, and then change the color of the title.
- Strikethrough
Text color
Use the default color palette or click Custom to use the color picker, an RGB code, or a hex code.
Background color
Use the default color palette or click Custom to use the color picker, an RGB code, or a hex code.
- Superscript
- Subscript
- Special Character
- Non-breaking space
- Remove text formatting
- Insert or edit a link
- Link Type:
- URL: Opens a web page.
E-MAIL: Sends a message to the specified address.
When selected, the system displays additional fields to add a subject and message.
- File Manager: Links to an asset in the file manager.
- Tel: Makes a call to the specified phone number.
SMS: Sends a text message to the specified phone number.
The builder displays additional fields based on the link type selected.
- Url: The address of the URL.
- Email: The email address.
- Number: The telephone number.
- Underline link: To underline the text for the link, select this checkbox.
- Text to display: The text that the system displays for the link in the email.
- Title: The text that the system displays when the recipient hovers over the link.
- Target: Option to open the link in a new browser tab or in the current tab.
- Link Type:
- Remove link
- Merge tags: Use this option to select the field you want to use as a token.
The Content Properties area on the right has the following parameters:
- Title: Select the heading level for the title. The available options are H1, H2, and H3.
- Font family: Select the font family for the title text. If you select Global font, the system applies the font selected for Default font in the Settings section.
Font weight: Regular or Bold. This option is available for all default fonts. Web fonts may have more styles available. You can also use multiple font weights with your own custom fonts.
If you are using custom fonts, create a stylesheet that includes a bold version of your font.
- Font size: Select the size of the title text.
- Text color: Select the text color for the content in the title block. You can select your preferred color from the color picker or specify a hex code. To change the color of a portion of the text in the block, use the formatting toolbar.
- Link color: Select the color for any links added in the title block. You can select your preferred color from the color picker or specify a hex code. To change the color of a specific link in the block, use the formatting toolbar.
- Align: Select the alignment of the title from the available options.
- Line height: Select the spacing between lines within the text block. The available options are 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0. These options are not adjustable.
- Letter spacing: Specify the space that you want to apply between individual letters in the title block.
- Text direction: Select the direction in which the title text must display.
The Block Options section has the following parameters:
- Padding: To enable uniform space between the content and the edge of the column, set the padding value in All sides. Alternatively, to set unique padding values for the different sides, enable the More options toggle bar and specify the padding values for top, right, left, and bottom.
- Hide on: To hide content on either Desktop or Mobile, select the device type where the content needs to be hidden.
Paragraph block
The Paragraph block functions like the legacy text content block but with additional features and is used to insert textual content in your emails. Campaign Studio’s text editor toolbar allows you to modify various properties of the textual content.
The toolbar in the content area on the left contains the following options when the Paragraph block is selected:
- Bold
- Italic
- Underline
- If you want the underline to have the same color as the text, apply the underline before changing the color.
- If you want the underline to have a different color than the text, first set the color of the text as the color that you want the underline to have, apply the underline, and then change the color of the text.
- Strikethrough
Text color
Use the default color palette or click Custom to use the color picker, an RGB code, or a hex code.
Background color
Use the default color palette or click Custom to use the color picker, an RGB code, or a hex code.
- Superscript
- Subscript
- Special Character
- Non-breaking space
- Expand or minimize the toolbar
- Remove text formatting
- Insert or edit a link
- Link Type:
- URL: Opens a web page.
E-MAIL: Sends a message to the specified address.
When selected, the system displays additional fields to add a subject and message.
- File Manager: Links to an asset in the file manager.
- Tel: Makes a call to the specified phone number.
- SMS: Sends a text message to the specified phone number.
- Url/Email/Number: The address of the URL, email, or telephone number.
- Underline link: To underline the text for the link, select this checkbox.
- Text to display: The text that should appear as a link in the email.
- Title: Text that appears when the recipient hovers over the link.
- Target: Open the link in a new browser tab or the current tab.
- Link Type:
- Remove link
- Merge tags: Use this option to select the field you want to use as a token.
The Content Properties area on the right has the following parameters:
- Font family: Select the font family for the title text. If you select Global font, the system applies the font selected for Default font in the Settings section.
Font weight: Regular or Bold. This option is available for all default fonts. Web fonts may have more styles available. You can also use multiple font weights with your own custom fonts.
If you are using custom fonts, create a stylesheet that includes a bold version of your font.
- Font size: Select the size of the title text.
- Text color: Select the text color for the content in the title block. You can select your preferred color from the color picker or specify a hex code. To change the color of a portion of the text in the block, use the formatting toolbar.
- Link color: Select the color for any links added in the title block. You can select your preferred color from the color picker or specify a hex code. To change the color of a specific link in the block, use the formatting toolbar.
- Align: Select the alignment of the title from the available options.
- Line height: Select the spacing between lines within the text block. The available options are 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0. These options are not adjustable.
- Letter spacing: Specify the space that you want to apply between individual letters in the title block.
- Text direction: Select the direction in which the title text must display.
The Block Options section has the following parameters:
- Padding: To enable uniform space between the content and the edge of the column, set the padding value in All sides. Alternatively, to set unique padding values for the different sides, enable the More options toggle bar and specify the padding values for top, right, left, and bottom.
- Hide on: To hide content on either Desktop or Mobile, select the device type where the content needs to be hidden.
List block
With the List block, you can create list types such as ordered or unordered lists and select from styling options.
The toolbar in the content area on the left contains the following options when the List block is selected:
- Bold
- Italic
- Underline
- If you want the underline to have the same color as the text, apply the underline before changing the color.
- If you want the underline to have a different color than the text, first set the color of the text as the color that you want the underline to have, apply the underline, and then change the color of the text.
- Strikethrough
Text color
Use the default color palette or click Custom to use the color picker, an RGB code, or a hex code.
Background color
Use the default color palette or click Custom to use the color picker, an RGB code, or a hex code.
- Superscript
- Subscript
- Special Character
- Non-breaking space
- Expand or minimize the toolbar
- Remove text formatting
- Left align
- Right align
- Insert or edit a link
- Link Type:
- URL: Opens a web page.
E-MAIL: Sends a message to the specified address.
When selected, the system displays additional fields to add a subject and message.
- File Manager: Links to an asset in the file manager.
- Tel: Makes a call to the specified phone number.
- SMS: Sends a text message to the specified phone number.
- Url/Email/Number: The address of the URL, email, or telephone number.
- Underline link: To underline the text for the link, select this checkbox.
- Text to display: The text that should appear as a link in the email.
- Title: Text that appears when the recipient hovers over the link.
- Target: Open the link in a new browser tab or the current tab.
- Link Type:
- Remove link
- Merge tags: Use this option to select the field you want to use as a token.
The Content Properties area on the right has the following parameters:
- List type: Ordered or unordered list
- List style type: Format styling options.
- Start list style from: Start an ordered number list from a specified number.
- Font family: Select the font family for the text. If you select Global font, the system applies the font selected for Default font in the Settings section.
Font weight: Regular or Bold. This option is available for all default fonts. Web fonts may have more styles available. You can also use multiple font weights with your own custom fonts.
If you are using custom fonts, create a stylesheet that includes a bold version of your font.
- Font size: Select the size of the text.
- Text color: Select the text color for the content in the title block. You can select your preferred color from the color picker or specify a hex code. To change the color of a portion of the text in the block, use the formatting toolbar.
- Link color: Select the color for any links added in the title block. You can select your preferred color from the color picker or specify a hex code. To change the color of a specific link in the block, use the formatting toolbar.
- Align: Select the alignment of the title from the available options.
- List items spacing: Select the vertical spacing between lines.
- List items indent: Select the indent on list subitems.
- Line height: Select the spacing between lines within the text block. The available options are 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0. These options are not adjustable.
- Letter spacing: Specify the space that you want to apply between individual letters in the title block.
- Text direction: Select the direction in which the text must display.
The Block Options section has the following parameters:
- Padding: To enable uniform space between the content and the edge of the column, set the padding value in All sides. Alternatively, to set unique padding values for the different sides, enable the More options toggle bar and specify the padding values for top, right, left, and bottom.
- Hide on: To hide content on either Desktop or Mobile, select the device type where the content needs to be hidden.
Image block
Use the Image content block to display images on emails.
Important
- The maximum permissible file size that you can upload is 20 MB.
- The maximum width allowed for an image is 1920px.
For the image block, the general section within Content Properties has the following parameters:
- Auto width: To adjust the image width automatically based on screen size or use the original image width, enable this toggle bar. Alternatively, disable the toggle bar and select a percentage of the column width to occupy with the image.
- Full width on mobile: To ensure that the image occupies the entire width in a mobile device, enable this toggle bar. This option is available only when you disable the Auto width toggle bar.
- Align: Select the alignment of the button from the available displayed options.
Dynamic image: To set a dynamic image, enable this toggle bar and set the value for Dynamic Url. For more information, see dynamic images.
Important
When using dynamic images, you must replace the personalized values or merge tags with the tokens in Campaign Studio’s format. For example, if the email builder documentation mentions
{{firstname}}, you must replace that with{contactfield=firstname}to add a first name value on the image.Change image: To upload a new image, click this option to select the new image from the file manager. Alternatively, specify the location where the image is located in Url.
Important
In the Safari browser, you won’t be able to select images from the file manager due to browser restrictions. To avoid this issue, you can paste the image URL in Url or drag and drop the image file directly in the Image content block. However, if you want to use the file manager, use a browser other than Safari.
- Apply effects and more: This option appears once you have added an image, Click this opens to open a photo editor with options for:
- Filter: Apply one or more filters from the available options:
Grayscale, Black & White, Sharpen, Invert, Vintage, Polaroid, Kodachrome, Technicolor, Brownie, Sepia, Remove Color, Brightness, Gamma, Noise, Pixelate, Blur, Emboss, and Blend. - Resize: Resize the width and height with options to maintain aspect ratio and use percentages rather than pixels.
- Crop: Crop the image by specifying width, height, predefined aspect ratios, or using a manual selector.
- Transform: Rotate the image clockwise or counterclockwise, flip vertically or horizontally.
- Draw: Use a brush to draw on the image.
- Text: Overlay text on top of the image.
- Shapes: Overlay shapes on top of the image.
- Stickers: Overlay stickers on top of the image.
- Frame: Add one of the nine predefined frames around the edges of the image.
- Corners: Round the edges of the image.
- Filter: Apply one or more filters from the available options:
Alternate text: Specify an alternate text for the image. This text appears if the recipient cannot view the image for whatever reason. Examples may include the image not rendering, there is an error from the source, or if they are using a screen reader.
Note
Don’t forget to include a value for alternate text to improve accessibility and deliverability.
The Action section has the following parameters:
Image link: Select the behavior of the button from the available options:
- Open web page
- Send email
- Make call
- Send SMS
Based on the selected Image Link, the system displays additional options.
The Block Options section has the following parameters:
- Padding: To enable uniform space between the content and the edge of the column, set the padding value in All sides. Alternatively, to set unique padding values for the different sides, enable the More options toggle bar and specify the padding values for top, right, left, and bottom.
- Hide on: To hide content on either Desktop or Mobile, select the device type where the content needs to be hidden.
Divider block
Use the Divider content block to separate various rows clearly. Using this block, you can add spacing above or below content within a row or column, or separate blocks clearly with a line. For the divider block, the general section within Content Properties has the following parameters:
- Transparent: To configure the divider to be transparent, enable this toggle bar.
- Height: Specify the height for the divider. This option is available only if the Transparent toggle bar is enabled.
- Line: Specify the type of line (solid, dotted, dashed) as well as the color of the divider. This option is available only if the Transparent toggle bar is disabled.
- Width: Specify the width of the divider. This option is available only if the Transparent toggle bar is disabled.
- Align: Select the alignment of the divider from the available displayed options. This option is available only if the Transparent toggle bar is disabled.
The Block Options section has the following parameters:
- Padding: To enable uniform space between the content and the edge of the column, set the padding value in All sides. Alternatively, to set unique padding values for the different sides, enable the More options toggle bar and specify the padding values for top, right, left, and bottom.
- Hide on: To hide content on either Desktop or Mobile, select the device type where the content needs to be hidden.
HTML block
Important
Use this option only if you are an HTML expert. Ensure to include code for mobile responsiveness and for Outlook-friendliness, particularly if you are including images or buttons.
Use the HTML content block to add your own custom HTML to an email message. For the HTML block, the Content Properties section has a text area where you can specify your entire HTML code. You can use this content block to add live content from different sources (for example, dynamic ads, personalized maps).
Once you start using the HTML editor, it will automatically correct any issue that might arise due to incorrect tags or HTML tags that are not closed.
The allowed tags are:
a, abbr, acronym, address, area, b, bdo, big, blockquote, button, caption, center, cite, code, colgroup, dd, del, dfn, dir, div, dl, dt, em, fieldset, font, form, h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, i, ins, kbd, label, legend, li, map, menu, ol, optgroup, option, p, pre, q, s, samp, select, small, span, strike, strong, sub, sup, table, tbody, td, textarea, tfoot, th, thead, u, tr, tt, u, ul, var
The allowed attributes list:
- general attributes:
style, id, class, data-*, title - a:
href, name, target - img:
align, alt, border height, hspace, src, vspace, width, usemap - table:
align, bgcolor, border, cellpadding, cellspacing, width - tbody:
align, valign - td:
align, bgcolor, colspan, height, rowspan, valign, width - tr:
align, bgcolor, valign - tfoot:
align, valign - th:
align, bicolor, colspan, height, rowspan, valign, width - thead:
align, valign - li:
type - map:
name - area:
alt, coords, href, shape, target
The Block Options section has the following parameter:
- Hide on: To hide content on either Desktop or Mobile, select the device type where the content needs to be hidden.
Video block
Use the Video content block to share videos through emails.
Important
- To get the best possible result, refrain from linking to password-protected videos.
- Campaign Studio doesn’t embed the actual video in the email, but only links to the video.
For the video block, the general section within Content Properties has the following parameters:
Add a video url: To share video content easily through your emails, click this option and specify the link for your Youtube or Vimeo video in Video url.
Note
The video block type only supports YouTube and Vimeo videos. To link to a video from another service, insert an image with a link to the video.
- Play icon type: Select the type in which the play icon should be displayed. The available options are:
- Round solid
- Round outline
- Rectangle
- Rectangle outline
- Square
- Square outline
- Arrow only
- Play icon color: Select whether the play icon should be light or dark.
- Play icon size: Select a size for the icon. Some of the available options are 50px, 55px, 60px.
The Block Options section has the following parameters:
- Padding: To enable uniform space between the content and the edge of the column, set the padding value in All sides. Alternatively, to set unique padding values for the different sides, enable the More options toggle bar and specify the padding values for top, right, left, and bottom.
- Hide on: To hide content on either Desktop or Mobile, select the device type where the content needs to be hidden.
Icons block
Use the Icons content block to create icons on your email. The icon block offers more flexibility than some other block types, as it is not restricted by row structures. For example, visual bullet lists, ratings, properties, logo galleries, etc.
For this block, the general section within Content Properties has the following parameters:
- Configure icon collection: To add an icon and define the properties for the icon, click Add new icon. If you do so, the following additional properties are displayed:
- Change image: To upload a new image for the icon, click this option and select the new image from the file manager.
- Apply effects & more: To update the icon, click this option. You can apply various special effects on the icon.
- If you add multiple icons and you need to change the order of the icons, use the drag option.
- To remove unwanted icons, click Delete for the corresponding icon.
- To further customize the icon behavior, enable the More options check box and specify the following attributes:
- Image Url: Specify the URL where the icon is located.
Alternate text: Specify the alternate text for the icon.
Note
Don’t forget to include a value for alternate text to improve accessibility and deliverability.
- Icon text: Specify the text to accompany the icon, if desired. Once you’ve entered text, you’ll see options to place the text at the top, right, bottom, or left of the icon.
Link type: Select the behavior of the link from the available options:
- Open web page
- Send email
- Make call
- Send SMS
Based on the selected Link type, the system displays additional options.
- Font family: Select the font family for the text. If you select Global font, the system applies the font selected for Default font in the Settings section.
- Font size: Select the size of the icon text.
- Text color: Select the color for the icon text. You can either select a color of your choice from the color picker or specify a hex code.
- Align: Select the alignment of the icon from the available options.
- Letter spacing: Specify the space that you want to apply between individual letters in the textual content of the icon block.
- Icon size: Select a size (square height and width of the icon) for the icon. Available options are 16px, 32px, 64px, 128px.
- Icon spacing: Select the spacing for the icon. Available options are 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20.
- Icon padding: To enable space between the icon and anything else next to it, enable this checkbox and specify the padding values for top, right, left, and bottom.
The Block Options section has the following parameters:
- Padding: To enable uniform space between the content and the edge of the column, set the padding value in All sides. Alternatively, to set unique padding values for the different sides, enable the More options toggle bar and specify the padding values for top, right, left, and bottom.
- Hide on: To hide content on either Desktop or Mobile, select the device type where the content needs to be hidden.
Text block
Use the Text content block to insert textual content in your emails. Campaign Studio’s text editor toolbar allows you to modify various properties for the textual content, such as font family, font size, basic formatting, text alignment, numbered and non-numbered bullets, font color, links, etc. Some of these options are also available for the text editor of the Button block.
The first row of the toolbar contains the following options:
Font type
If you select Global font, the system applies the font selected for Default font in the Settings section.
- Font size
- Bold
- Italic
Underline
If you decide to underline the text and want the underline to have:
- same color as the text: apply the underline before changing the color.
- different color than the text: set the color of the text as the color that you want the underline to have, apply the underline, and change the text color.
- Strikethrough
- Superscript
- Subscript
- Clear formatting
- Align-left
- Align-center
- Align-right
- Align-justified
- Insert a symbol/special character
- Undo previous change
- Redo previously undone change
The second row of the toolbar contains the following options:
- Ordered lists
- Default (1, 2, 3, etc.)
- Lower Alpha (a., b., c., etc.)
- Lower Greek (lower-case symbols for alpha, beta, gamma, etc.)
- Lower Roman (i., ii., iii., etc.)
- Upper Alpha (A., B., C., etc.)
- Upper Roman (I., II., III., etc.).
- Unordered list
- Default (which is a disc)
- Circle (○)
- Disc (●)
- Square (■)
- Font color (using the default color palette or click Custom to use the color picker, an RGB code, or a hex code)
- Text Background/Highlight Color (using the default color palette or click Custom to use the color picker, an RGB code, or a hex code)
- Text direction - left to right
- Text direction - right to left
- Insert or edit a link
- Link Type:
- URL: ns a web.
E-MAIL: Sends a message to the specified address.
When selected, the system displays additional fields to add a subject and message.
- File Manager: Links to an asset in the file manager of the email builder.
- Tel: Makes a call to the specified phone number.
- SMS: Sends a text message to the specified phone number.
- Url/Email/Number: The address of the URL, email, or telephone number.
- Underline link: To underline the text for the link, select this check box.
- Text to display: The text that should appear as a link in the email.
- Title: Text that appears when the recipient hovers over the link.
- Target: Open the link in a new browser tab or the current tab.
- Link Type:
- Remove a link
- Add a merge tag/token (opens a menu to select the field you want to use as a token)
Note
To add the webview or unsubscribe URL tokens as links, use the URL type and enter {webview_url} or {unsubscribe_url} as the URL. To use the default text and link from your configuration settings, use the {webview_text} or {unsubscribe_text} tokens.
The general section within Content Properties has the following parameters:
- Text color: Select the text color for the content in the block. You can either select a color of your choice from the color picker or specify a hex code. To change the color of a portion of the text in the block, use the formatting toolbar.
- Link color: Select the color for any links added in the content block. You can select your preferred color from the color picker or specify a hex code. To change the color of a specific link in the block, use the formatting toolbar.
- Line height: Select the spacing between lines within the text block. The available options are 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0. These options are not adjustable.
- Letter spacing: Specify the space that you want to apply between individual letters in the text block.
The Block Options section has the following parameters:
- Padding: To enable uniform space between the content and the edge of the column, set the padding value in All sides. Alternatively, to set unique padding values for the different sides, enable the More options toggle bar and specify the padding values for top, right, left, and bottom.
- Hide on: To hide content on either Desktop or Mobile, select the device type where the content needs to be hidden.
Acquia DAM block
Campaign Studio provides integration with Acquia DAM. With the Acquia DAM block, you can search and use assets such as images and videos that are hosted on your Acquia DAM account. To use assets from Acquia DAM, you must first complete the following tasks:
For more information about the Acquia DAM Community, see Acquia DAM documentation.
After you import an asset from Acquia DAM, you see the Content Properties area on the right with the following options:
- Select Image: To open the DAM integration and select from your assets. This option performs the same action as the Select Image option provided in the Content area.
- Auto width: To adjust the image width automatically based on the screen size or use the original image width, enable this toggle bar. Alternatively, disable the toggle bar and select a percentage of the column width to occupy with the image.
- Full width on mobile: To ensure that the image occupies the entire width in a mobile device, enable this toggle bar. This option is available only when you disable the Auto width toggle bar.
- Align: Select the alignment of the button from the available displayed options.
Dynamic image: To set a dynamic image, enable this toggle bar and set the value for Dynamic Url. For more information, see dynamic images.
Important
When using dynamic images, you must replace the personalized values or merge tags with the tokens in Campaign Studio’s format. For example, if the email builder documentation mentions
{{firstname}}, you must replace that with{contactfield=firstname}to add a first name value on the image.Alternate text: Specify an alternate text for the image. This text appears if the recipient cannot view the image for whatever reason. Examples may include the image not rendering, there is an error from the source, or if they are using a screen reader.
Note
As a best practice, Acquia recommends that you include a value for alternate text to improve accessibility and deliverability.
The Action section has the following parameters:
Image link: Select the behavior of the button from the available options:
- Open web page
- Send email
- Make call
- Send SMS
Based on the selected Image Link, the system displays additional options.
The Block Options section has the following parameters:
- Padding: To enable uniform space between the content and the edge of the column, set the padding value in All sides. Alternatively, to set unique padding values for the different sides, enable the More options toggle bar and specify the padding values for top, right, left, and bottom.
- Hide on: To hide content on either Desktop or Mobile, select the device type where the content needs to be hidden.
Dynamic Content block
The Dynamic Content block enables you to configure different content to appear to different recipients, based on data on the recipient’s contact record in Campaign Studio.
Configuring dynamic content using the builder
Add a Dynamic Content block to your content area on the left.
Note
To use dynamic content based on a contact’s activity, create a segment including the activity and use a Segment Membership filter for the dynamic content block. Segment membership based on activity filters is updated daily.
Click Configure to actually create the content.
Campaign Studio displays a WYSIWYG editor.
- On the Default tab, configure the content that you want to send to any contacts whose profile data does not meet the filters set on any of the variations.
Click +New to add as many variations of the content as you need, and define the content for each variation.
On the Variation <number> tabs, set the filters that determine the audience to whom you want to send each variation.
Ensure that you use the appropriate operator when setting the filters. For detailed information about operators, visit Operators in Campaign Studio.
Campaign Studio populates the value of <number> based on the number of variations. To create a single variation using multiple filters, you can use the logical operators such as or and and. For example, to send promotional emails to users of specific domains within a certain region, you can create filters to define emails and regions, and use the and operator. Hence, contacts within those regions and with those domains will receive such emails.
Configuring dynamic content in code mode
On the New Email page, select the Code Mode theme.
Campaign Studio displays the Dynamic Content tab.
In the email configuration fields on the right, provide appropriate details and click Save.
Note
As the next step, you can either first build the email body in code mode or can create dynamic content and then build the email body and add the content to it.
Click the Dynamic Content tab to open the dynamic content builder page.
Campaign Studio displays a WYSIWYG editor and an option for creating multiple dynamic content slots for the email.
In the left pane, click +New to create a new dynamic content slot.
Each slot is numbered as Dynamic Content <number> and corresponds to the code that you add in the code mode builder.
- For each dynamic content slot that you create:
- On the Default tab, configure the content that you want to send to any contacts whose profile data does not meet the filters set on any of the variations.
- Click +New to add as many variations of the content as you need, and define the content for each variation.
- Click Save & Close.
- Click Builder to open the builder in code mode.
- Build the email body in code mode or add the precreated dynamic content to the email body.
To reference this content within the email, insert the following text after replacing <number> with the number of dynamic content slot:
{dynamiccontent=“Dynamic Content <number>”}
Rows
The Rows section allows you to separate the content area to multiple rows, where each row can have unique structures. Thus, you can have rows that allow you to organize content that is different from the preceding and the subsequent rows.
For example, you may want:
- A single-column row with an image to introduce your online store’s new promotion
- A two-column row below it to display some of the store’s best-selling products
The Rows section provides the following functionalities:
To use a new row structure, drag and drop an appropriate row type to the message content area on the left. All such row types have different number of columns.
To move a specific content block, select the block and use the drag icon. Additionally, you can clone or remove specific content blocks and not the entire row that may contain multiple content blocks.
Similarly, you can also drag a row and place it in another location within the content area. Additionally, you can clone or remove rows.
To configure your email templates quickly, you can clone entire rows along with all the content blocks. For example, a picture and a button. Additionally, you can also delete entire rows along with all the content blocks.
To view the row or column properties, click the row. The system displays the Row Properties and Column Properties sections on the right.
- To update properties for a specific row, click the row and modify the values in the Row Properties section. At the row level, you can update:
- Row background color: Specify the background color for the row. Use the color picker or enter a hex code for the desired background color of the row.
- Content background color: Specify the background color for the content. Use the color picker or enter a hex code for the desired background color of the content area within the row. This color will be only behind your content, up to the set content area width. Space beyond the edges of the content area background is filled with the Row background color.
- Do not stack on mobile: To maintain the row structure, even on smaller screens, enable this toggle bar. By default, rows with multiple columns are stacked as individual rows on mobile devices.
- Reverse stack order on mobile: To reverse the columns’ stacking order on mobile, enable this toggle bar.
- Row background image: Select an image to appear behind the content in the row. You can set the image to go the full width of the row, to repeat, and/or to be centered.
- Display condition: More documentation on this feature is coming soon.
Customize Columns: Once you have dragged a row structure into the stage, you may click the Add new button to add another column to the row. Additionally, you can adjust the width of the columns. Each row is split up into twelve (12) pieces, and each column must be at least two (2) pieces wide. In all, each row may have up to six (6) content blocks. Drag the grabber between any two columns to the left or right to adjust the widths of the columns as desired.
- To update properties for a specific column, click the row that contains the column and modify the values in the Column Properties section for the specific column. If a row contains multiple columns, navigate to the correct column before modifying any values. At the column level, you can update:
- Column background: Specify the background color for specific columns within a row. Use the color picker or enter a hex code for the desired background color of the column.
- Padding: Define the space between the content and the edge(s) of the column. To set individual padding, enable the More options toggle bar.
Border: Use this option to add a solid, dotted, or dashed line at the edge(s) of the column, with a selected weight and color. To set custom border on different sides, enable the More options toggle bar.
- You can save a row of content and reuse the same in multiple emails. For more information, see Saving content rows.
Settings
The Settings section allows you to modify the general settings that apply to the entire message.
General Options
The available settings are:
Content area width: Select the width of the area where you can drag and drop content blocks. You can specify the width from 480px to 900px. Per email marketing best practices, Acquia recommends you to set this value to 600px or less.
Note
The selected value is the maximum width that will be used on larger devices, such as Desktop. On smaller devices, the message adjusts automatically.
- Content area alignment: Select the alignment of the whole content area of the email. The available options are LEFT and CENTER.
Background color: Select the background color for the message. You can either select a color of your choice from the color picker or specify a hex code.
Note
This option is applicable only for rows (and columns) where you haven’t specified a color. Else, the background color specified for that content structure is used.
Content area background color: Select the background color for the content area. You can select your preferred color from the color picker or specify a hex code.
Note
This option is applicable only for rows (and columns) where you haven’t specified a color. If you have specified a background color or content area background color for a content structure, that color is used.
- Default font: Select the default font that you want to use as the Global font when editing text.
- Link color: Select the default link color that must be used when you haven’t specified any other link color. You can either select a color of your choice from the color picker or specify a hex code.
Optional Properties
This section includes the Email Details settings through which you can apply meta tags to your HTML and improve email deliverability performance.
The available settings are:
Subject: Enter the email subject line that you want to display in the inbox of the email recipients.
Email subject line has a maximum limit of 190 characters and supports:
- Emojis
- Text type global tokens
- Tokens such as {contactfield=firstname}.
The value entered in this field syncs with the Subject field on the New Email page.
Preheader: Enter the preheader text that provides a short, user-friendly summary of the email as a preview in the inbox of the email recipients. This text is not included in the email body and has a maximum limit of 130 characters. Preheader text supports Text type global tokens.
The value entered in this field syncs with the Preheader Text field on the New Email page.
The email builder enables in-editor previews and allows you to save an email created with the drag-and-drop editor as a template.
Previewing template
The Campaign Studio email builder enables you to preview the emails during the editing process. Generic previews are available for desktop and mobile devices. The preview doesn’t show how the message will render in specific email clients.
To preview your template:
In the email builder, go to Actions > Preview.
This launches the email in the preview mode, showing its current state.
To preview the template for desktop and mobile, click the respective option.
- To return to editing, click the X icon next to the Mobile option in the top right corner.
Saving templates
If you’d like to save an email in order to use the structure and style as the basis for other emails you’ll be building, the email builder allows you to save any message as a template.
To save a template:
In the email builder, go to Actions > Save as template.
This displays the Save As Template pop-up window.
Specify the Name and click Save Template. The system saves the template in Settings > Themes. If you are using Campaign Factory, you can also copy the template (as a theme) between instances.
Note
Do not include periods in the name of your template.
Saving content rows
You can save a row of content and reuse the same in multiple emails. Hence, you can quickly update and manage a row of content used across emails.
To save a row of content:
In the email builder, select a row and click the Save icon.
Specify a name and a category for the row. You can either select an existing category or create a new category (for example, Header, Footer).
- Click Save.
Once you have saved a row, you can use the same in your future emails.
To add a saved row:
In the email builder, go to Rows and select the category you saved your row(s) to.
Drag and drop the saved row into your email.
Caution
Do not insert any new content blocks into the saved row content slot. Otherwise, the system will overwrite the new content if the saved row is updated.
To update details for a saved row:
- Log in to Campaign Studio.
- In the left navigation pane, click Channels > Emails.
For an existing email, navigate to the Edit Email - <email_name> window. Alternatively, click +New to open the New Template Email or New Segment Email window.
Click Managed Saved Rows.
This displays all the saved rows.
For the row that you want to update, click Edit.
- Repeat the steps. The changes made reflect in any emails that use the row.
Note
You can also delete a saved row. Deleting a row doesn’t remove it from any emails.
Viewing structure
To view the structure (rows and columns) of the email template in grids, click Show structure.
Viewing history
In the bottom left corner of the email builder, the system displays a tray with three icons.
- To view the history of all the changes on the template, click the first icon. You can click one of the previous versions to revert the editor to the state of the email when that change was made.
- To undo or redo the previous edit, use the other two icons.
Social block¶
Use the Social content block to include social share, social follow, and other link icons in your platform. The available options are:
Social follow:
Social share:
For the social block, the general section within Content Properties has the following parameters:
Configure icon collection: Customize the social icons that you want to display. Campaign Studio displays a standard set of icons, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. To add a link to another platform, choose Add new icon. To further customize each icon, enable the More options toggle bar and update the name of an icon, set alternate text, and add the link to the relative page for your brand.
You can also delete any icon or change the order of the icons by grabbing the stacked lines with your mouse and dragging into the desired order.
To create a custom social platform icon, click Add a custom icon and define the following additional parameters:
The Block Options section has the following parameters: