# Create a WhatsApp message template

## Create a Template

<figure><img src="https://605198658-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FP7nf2G1iCRba8EP7DawZ%2Fuploads%2FND6Gdkg9pExTftzEqFud%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b48c3d03-240b-4be8-8dca-41effcd67934" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. Go to the **Broadcast** page
2. Click the dropdown to select the **WhatsApp channel** you want to broadcast messages from.
3. Select the **Templates** tab.&#x20;
4. Click **Create** to create a WhatsApp message template.

## Template Properties

In the **Template Properties** panel, configure the basic information of the template.

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### Name of template

Enter an internal name to identify the template.\
This name is **not visible to customers**.

***

### Category

Select the template category required by WhatsApp.

**Marketing**

* Promotional messages
* Product recommendations
* Campaign announcements
* Discounts or offers

**Utility**

* Transactional updates
* Order confirmations
* Payment reminders
* Delivery notifications

***

### Sub-type

Choose the template format depending on the message structure.

* **Standard:** A regular message template with text, optional header, and buttons.
* **Multi-product:** Allows customers to view and select multiple products in one message.
* **Catalog:** Displays products directly from your WhatsApp catalog.
* **Carousel:** A horizontally scrollable message with multiple cards (images, titles, and buttons).

***

### Language

Select the language for this template.

WhatsApp requires templates to be created **per language**.\
If you need multiple languages, create a separate template for each language.

***

## Content Configuration

Configure the message content in the **Content** section.

### Header

The header appears at the top of the message.

<figure><img src="https://605198658-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FP7nf2G1iCRba8EP7DawZ%2Fuploads%2FRLArUtzI3bdkoW4bIGRF%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=bed8840e-fde5-4f0c-b12f-fcafb9edd453" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Available types:

| Type     | Description                     |
| -------- | ------------------------------- |
| None     | No header                       |
| Text     | A short title above the message |
| Image    | Display an image                |
| Video    | Display a video                 |
| Document | Attach a document               |

***

### Body Text

This is the **main message content**.

You can insert **parameters** to dynamically personalize messages.

Example:

```
Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} has been shipped and will arrive on {{3}}.
```

Parameters will be replaced with actual customer data when the message is sent.

Click **+ parameter** to insert variables.

***

### Footer

Optional short text displayed at the bottom of the message.

Example:

```
Limited-time offer. Terms may apply.
```

***

### Buttons

Buttons allow customers to quickly interact with the message.

Click **Add button** to add one.

A template can support:

* **Up to 10 buttons**
* **Maximum 2 URL buttons**
* **Maximum 1 phone button**

<figure><img src="https://605198658-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FP7nf2G1iCRba8EP7DawZ%2Fuploads%2F8rYJcuJpE34S13nvyED0%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=822549e0-76a4-4a03-a7fc-288be19b71af" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Button Types

* **Text (Quick Reply):** Allows users to reply with a predefined response.
* **URL:** Opens a webpage.
* **Phone:** Allows users to call a phone number directly.
* **Flow:** Launches a WhatsApp Flow for interactive follow-up actions.

***

## Template Preview

The **Preview panel** on the right shows how the message will appear in WhatsApp.

Use this preview to verify:

* text formatting
* parameter placement
* button layout

***

## Submit for Approval

After completing the template:

1. Click **Submit**.
2. The template will be sent to **WhatsApp for review**.
3. Approval usually takes **a few minutes to several hours**, depending on WhatsApp's review process.

## Template Status

You can check the template status after submitting a template.

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### Template Limitations

* The message template name field is limited to 512 characters.
* The message template content field is limited to 1024 characters.
* A template can only be edited when it is in a state of **APPROVED**, **REJECTED**, or **DRAFT,** can not be edited when in **PENDING**.  A template can be edited once per day, up to 10 times per month.

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<figure><img src="https://605198658-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FP7nf2G1iCRba8EP7DawZ%2Fuploads%2FtHnw44TvYK0CfHynA3c5%2F%E6%88%AA%E5%B1%8F2024-03-07%20%E4%B8%8A%E5%8D%8811.20.44.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9a7a00a8-62d1-48fb-8b36-a757f7e26f0e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://605198658-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FP7nf2G1iCRba8EP7DawZ%2Fuploads%2FduJkYwXKuXaaB8gJl8g6%2F%E6%88%AA%E5%B1%8F2024-03-07%20%E4%B8%8A%E5%8D%8811.21.18.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9f7b3020-8c13-4bfd-8465-f2e25c309491" alt=""><figcaption><p>can not be edited when in <strong>Pending</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

* WhatsApp Business Accounts can only create 100 message templates per hour.

### Common Rejection Reasons

WhatsApp commonly rejects message templates with the following patterns:

{% hint style="warning" %}

* Variables are placed at the beginning or end of the message.
* Variables are placed next to each other, such as `“{{1}} {{2}}”`.
* Variables have mismatched curly braces or use words instead of numbers. The correct format is `{{1}}`, not `{{one}}`.
* Variable parameters are not sequential. For example, `{{1}}`, `{{2}}`, `{{4}}`, `{{5}}` are defined but `{{3}}` does not exist.
* Call to action button URL contains a direct link to WhatsApp, such as "<https://wa.me/14154443344>", which Meta no longer allows.
* Template is a duplicate of an existing template. WhatsApp rejects templates submitted with the same wording with a different name.&#x20;
* Template contains content violating the [WhatsApp Commerce Policy](https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/commerce-policy/?fbclid=IwAR0qUSf97RVgUHFtGar3YUqZaz1wOG-arhNUd2inOHRo8qH6GgFlHccUBek) or the [WhatsApps Business Policy](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whatsapp.com%2Flegal%2Fbusiness-policy%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1yvdZWGarAKSb9ia6FBUpuZ9KSU9q5wsFoKqRZCRPEtOaLYagxy4Ad7YA\&h=AT3lviDT9OysiltSzIaI5dZ3mgUQHRGxmh5I5sbd9oO6563HYCyub60wUHLfFcO-4zDNfxSpM7qZVrb2sVm4OEG22FxWncEo_PJribjH2NETyb3fvR_t4vxwQuEcWhxGfsaePLsoyaYZNURGDed_z3E). Do not request sensitive identifiers from users, such as payment card numbers, financial account numbers, or National Identification numbers. Requesting partial identifiers (ex: last 4 digits of their Social Security number) is OK.
* Template appears to encourage gaming or gambling. Including words such as "raffle" or "win a prize" almost guarantees template rejection by WhatsApp.
* Template is overly vague, such as `“Hi, {{1}}, thanks”`. This type of template could be abused to spam users. You need to surround the parameters with information so that it’s clear what type of information will be inserted.
* You are using the wrong language. For example, a template in English is submitted with Portuguese language selected.
* Grammatical or spelling mistakes. Even minor spelling or grammatical mistakes are likely to be rejected by WhatsApp.
  {% endhint %}