---
title: "Compose Block (CMS)"
slug: "compose-block-window"
updated: 2026-02-12T09:05:53Z
published: 2026-02-12T09:05:53Z
canonical: "docs.mapp.com/compose-block-window"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mapp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Compose Block (CMS)

## Overview

The **Compose Block** page is used to define reusable content blocks in CMS.

Blocks contain HTML and can include placeholders, variables, and personalization logic used in templates and email messages. Changes to a block can affect every template or message where the block is used.

For conceptual explanations of how blocks relate to templates and frameworks, refer to [System Basics documentation](https://docs.mapp.com/docs/how-cms-email-works).

---

## Navigation Path

*Content > Email > Blocks*

You reach this page when creating a new block or editing an existing one.

---

## Information

The Information panel provides metadata and organizational settings for the block.

In addition to the block name and description, you can manage:

- **Folder** – Organizes the block within CMS
- **Tags** – Enables structured filtering and search
- **Character Encoding** – Defines how the block content is encoded
- **Status** – Indicates whether the block is in progress or finalized
- **Assigned To** – Defines ownership

The panel also displays system metadata such as creator and creation date.

---

## Code Editor

Use the **Edit** tab to define the block content.

The block content is written in HTML and may contain placeholders, variables, and personalization logic.

Placeholders inserted in a block are resolved in the context of the template or message where the block is used.

This means that dynamic elements are interpreted during rendering or sendout based on the surrounding template and recipient data.

---

## Insert Personalization

Use the **Personalization icon** (fingerprint symbol) to insert recipient-specific content.

Personalization allows you to:

- Insert contact attributes (for example, first name)
- Reuse existing personalization rules
- Apply conditional logic

During sendout, the system evaluates personalization rules for each recipient and displays the corresponding content.

For complex rule logic, use the Personalization Builder.

---

## Insert Mapp Engage Variables

Use the **Variables icon** (tag symbol) to insert Mapp Engage Variables.

Variables use placeholder tags in the format <% ... %> and are replaced during sendout.

Unlike personalization, variables display the same content to all recipients.

Typical use cases include:

- System links (for example, “View in browser” or “Unsubscribe”)
- Message or system metadata
- Landing page links
- Conversion tracking variables
- Coupons, barcodes, or attachments

Variables are inserted directly into the block HTML.

---

## Update Blocks Across Templates

When editing a block, you can enable automatic updates to apply the changes wherever the block is used.

- **Enabled:** Updates apply to all templates that contain the block.
- **Disabled:** Only the current block version is updated.

> [!WARNING]
> Warning
> 
> Automatic updates do not apply to blocks used in scheduled or prepared messages.