# Create a WhatsApp approved message template

### What you'll need

* An installed [WhatsApp](https://docs.bird.com/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/whatsapp) channel

### WhatsApp approved message template setup

To create an approved template, follow these steps:

1. Go to **Content** > **Message templates**.
2. Click **Create message template** in the top right corner.
3. Under 'Platform', select **WhatsApp**.

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2F2hRoV6dpXunRQzbKIJwv%2Fwhatsapp1.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ec46e1c0-1041-48a8-86ab-21fcff94ffde" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Select **WhatsApp approved** as the 'Interaction'
4. Under "WhatsApp Business Account", check the box next to the number(s) that you want to create this template for. If you only have one WhatsApp number installed, this will be selected automatically. You will be able to change this later from the **Settings** panel while you build your template.

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FeG9l5hqLRT3sQhW9vy8R%2Fwhatsapp2.png?alt=media&#x26;token=94d5276b-038d-4006-ac94-07917e00fd41" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Under "Category", select the [category](#approved-template-categories) of approved message template you are creating. You will be able to change this from the **Settings** panel while you build your template.
6. Under "Message type", select the type of message that you want to create in Studio.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FAxcmIjbRRpxbhkMsitHK%2Fwhatsapp3.png?alt=media&#x26;token=bc23d21f-8242-4807-8af8-13a9c62aba3e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
7. Under "Project", enter a **Project name**. This is an internal name.
8. Based on your **Project name**, we generate a **WhatsApp template name** for you. This name will be seen by WhatsApp during the approval process.
9. Select the **Default locale** for this message template from the dropdown.
10. Select **Start from scratch**, then click **Get started now** in the top-right corner to open the template editor.

    <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FLugJU0jMKnDDYS3AQBh7%2Fwhatsapp4.png?alt=media&#x26;token=73d5ba97-6aff-487e-a31e-195e28142f73" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

### Add content blocks

Now that you've set up the basics, you can add your [content blocks](#content-block-types).

1. In the **Overview** panel, under the **Content** tab, or on the canvas itself, click one of the content elements to open its details in the **Overview** panel.&#x20;
2. Make the edits to the content, including uploading files, adding alt text, editing the message body text, and adding variables for message personalization.&#x20;
3. To add additional content blocks, click the **Add block** button and select the block that you want to use from the dropdown.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FuuLMgUMudSxUZnLAoJ7J%2Fwhatsapp5.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7f97be2e-3f79-477c-8653-bc07d33a0cd5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
4. Click **Save as draft** to save your changes.

### Preview and publish

To see how your WhatsApp approved template will appear to recipients, click the **Preview** button at the top of your screen.

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FUnuXQ3d3fidgxZKqzjEK%2Fwhatsapp6.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8f142a36-261b-427c-bea5-ecb7883ceba1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To **Publish** your WhatsApp approved template and automatically send it to WhatsApp for approval, click the **Publish** button in the top right-hand corner.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2Fl7Gs2SdFtD3o65gQiFRD%2Fwhatsapp7.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f58d32b3-b0d6-47d3-82cf-dabf35a16ceb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### What next?

Once you've hit **Publish**, your template will be sent to WhatsApp for review. The status column will show you if your WhatsApp approved template is ready to use yet.&#x20;