# Create a message template

{% hint style="info" %}
Creating a message template for WhatsApp? Follow the [WhatsApp message template](https://docs.bird.com/applications/content/message-templates/concepts/whatsapp-message-templates) instructions.
{% endhint %}

### Message template set up

To create a message template, the first stage is to choose the channel, message type, and default language.

1. Go to **Content** >  **Message templates**.
2. Click **Create message template** in the top right corner.

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FWY1YbSMlXfqO5XAYxbGf%2Fmsg%20template.png?alt=media&#x26;token=89b6192a-2dd5-48eb-b889-648b70c182e8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. In the **Platform** section, click the specific channel (or omnichannel) that you want to create a message template for.

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2F2uTYUNUz1RM16lHpT43a%2Fmsg%20template2.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7b916e7c-9e4e-4fdc-a4b2-5e147cd56703" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. In the **Message type** section, choose the type of message template you want to create.

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FcI4XMTIfPEDmC56TwXep%2Fmsg%20template3.png?alt=media&#x26;token=64fe5ac8-bc1b-4324-a477-2824f4465ef0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Under **Project settings**, enter a recognizable name for your project (e.g., "March 2023 Spring Sale") in the **Project name** field.
4. Choose a locale from the drop-down menu under **Default locale**.
5. Click **Get started now**.

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FX19W08ww8dxXe5Bi7HyX%2Fmsg%20template4.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1183a1d1-f4b7-42d9-a271-d4728295fe3f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Add content&#x20;

Now that you’ve set up the basics, you can add your content.

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;

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FbCzPg5YMRdTKAULyHw1w%2Fmessage%20template5.png?alt=media&#x26;token=79dc4f21-8c28-4d7a-b0ee-b52155e2aaf5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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. Click **Save as draft** to save your changes.

{% hint style="info" %}
If there are validation errors in your template, they will be flagged in the **Overview** panel under the **Feedback** tab.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FVCmmS2SDmtVSkswXBEq4%2Fmsg%20tempolate6.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a33893eb-2ea0-4ffd-a189-2111c96095b7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Preview the message template

Once you have your message content in place, you can preview your message template to see how it will appear when your customers receive it.

1. At the top of the screen, click **Preview**.
2. To make changes to the message template content, click **Editor** to return to the previous screen.

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FFfdiRJwPBnJo3Okc4NHo%2Fmsg%20template7.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7f8a131b-48ed-48bb-9506-3d71406e9856" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you have chosen to create an omnichannel message template or to translate your message template into more than one language, you can preview this by clicking one of the channels in the **Preview** panel, or by selecting an additional language from the drop-down.

### Publish the message template

Once you have set up your message template, added content, and previewed it to make sure it looks how you expect it to, you can click **Publish** in the top right-hand corner.

{% hint style="info" %}
On publication, your message template will be immediately available for use across Inbox, Flows, and Campaigns.
{% endhint %}

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