Message Creation: Compose (CMS)

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Overview

The Compose window is where you create and edit the content, structure, and settings of an email message before preparing it for sendout.

For a conceptual overview of email message types and the overall email creation workflow, see the Email Channel Basics.


Navigation Path

During email creation, follow the message creation process until you reach Compose Email Message.


Top Action Bar

  • Save – Saves your changes. The window remains open. Changes are saved automatically.

  • Prepare Sendout – Opens the sendout configuration.

  • Close – Closes the window. Unsaved changes require confirmation.

  • Information icon – Opens the Information Panel.


Subject

Define the subject line of the message.

  • The subject is mandatory.

  • You can insert personalizations and variables.

  • Maximum length: 3000 characters.

  • Use AI subject suggestion to generate proposals.


Display Options

Use the icons in the upper-right corner to switch between views.

Preview (Eye icon)

Shows how the message appears on different device types. A second menu bar provides layout options for mobile, tablet, and desktop previews.

Use this view to verify the layout before sendout.


Edit Monitor (Monitor icon)

Opens a visual edit mode where components are displayed as images.

  • Select components from the list.

  • Reposition components using the move handle in the component header.


List View (List icon)

Displays all components used in the message as a structured list.

  • Components are shown in their current order.

  • Select a component directly from the list.

  • Reorder components using drag and drop.


Information Panel

The Information Panel defines message settings.

General

  • Type – Displays the message type. This value cannot be changed.

  • Name – Internal message name. Not visible to contacts.

  • Description – Optional internal description.

  • Textual fallback – Text-only version for devices that cannot render HTML.

  • Group – Predefines the group for sendout.

  • Message category – Predefines the category for sendout.

  • External Message ID – Optional external reference.

  • Character Encoding – Defines how characters are encoded.

  • Image Handling – Defines how images are processed.

  • Status

    • In Progress – Message is not ready for sendout.

    • Finished – Message is ready for sendout.

  • Prevent RSS sendout if content is unchanged – Skips recurring RSS sendouts if no new content is available.

Advanced

  • Default Table Width – Defines the default table width.

  • Default Background Color – Defines the message background color.


Visual Editor

Use the Visual Editor to modify message content.

Content is structured in components. Only components with an unlocked status can be edited.

You can:

  • Edit text directly in a component

  • Replace images and define alternative text

  • Insert links

  • Add personalizations and variables

  • Reposition components using drag and drop


Formatting Options

Formatting options depend on the component type and configuration.

Available options include:

  • Text formatting (bold, italic, underline, alignment)

  • Font family, size, and color

  • Insert and remove links

  • Insert images

  • Insert personalizations and variables

  • Insert special characters

  • Undo and redo


Components Tab

The Components tab provides the elements used to build the message layout.

Components are organized into categories. Use the search field to locate a component.

Add a Component

  1. Expand a category.

  2. Drag the component onto the canvas.

  3. Drop it at the required position.

Only components with an unlocked status can be edited.

Preview a Component

Use the preview icon to view a component before inserting it.


Details Tab

The Details tab displays information about the selected component.

Use this tab to review component-specific settings.