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All About Lightning Email Templates: https://help.pm.leapevent.tech/a/1123076
In Lightning experience, you may have noticed there are Classic Email Templates and Lightning Email Templates. Perhaps you're not sure what Lightning Email Templates do, or how they are different from Classic Email Templates. Perhaps you're also wondering, "Should I use Lightning Email templates? What's a good use case for using Lightning Email templates instead of Classic Email Templates?"
This article seeks to answer these questions!
Specifically, we'll cover:
- Differences between Classic and Lightning Email Templates
- When to use Classic Email Templates in Lightning Experience
- An example illustrating a good time to use Lightning Email Templates
- Salesforce resources on Lightning Email Templates
In Lightning setup, you can see there's an option to go to Classic Email Templates or Lightning Email Templates.
What's the difference between Classic Email Templates and Lightning Email Templates?
Lightning Email Templates (only available in Lightning) come with a few updates and improvements from Classic Email Templates. Let's explore some highlights below, and then answer some questions you may have!
Create a global template, or an Object-Specific template
In order to create or modify a Classic email template, you must go through setup. In Lightning, you can create a Lightning Email Template in one of three ways:
Global email templates
If you need to create an email and only need to access Contact merge fields, you can write an email and/or create an email template via the Global Actions menu.
Object-specific email templates
To create an Object-specific email template, go through the App Launcher to the Email templates tab. From there, you can set the Object via the Related Entity Type field, which will provide access to merge fields related to that Object, and then write your copy.
If you select Contact as your Related Entity Type or leave the field blank, the email template will save as a global template
The email template will only show up as an available template on the Object record you specified in the Related Entity Type. In our above example, we've chosen Donation as our related entity type, so we'll be able to use this email template from a Donation record.
You can also create an Object-specific Lightning email template from an Object record with emailing capabilities (like an Account, Donation, or Contact, for instance). Use the Email action in the Activity tab to write the email, and then save it as a new template to use it again in the future.
Learn more about creating Global and Object-specific Lightning email templates with this helpful Salesforce article!
Insert images more intuitively with the Lightning Email Template rich text editor
In order to insert an image into an email template in Classic, you had to utilize some basic HTML. In Lightning, you can add an image to an email with a few clicks. Choose to upload an image from the Files tab, or use a web image.
Bonus: You can place the image anywhere within in the email, too!
More flexible merge fields
Classic Email Templates exclusively use Salesforce Merge Language (SML), while Lightning Email Templates can use either SML or Handlebar Merge Language (HML). With HML merge fields, there's more flexibility with the merge fields you have access to.
Want to know more about HML and Lightning Email Templates? Salesforce has got you covered:
What about my Classic Email Templates?
Classic Email Templates contain all the email templates we've packaged with PatronManager, like Ticketing email confirmations and Donation email templates. You still have access to those templates in Lightning and can utilize them for your needs.
Can I still use Classic Email Templates in Lightning?
Yes, and you should! Classic Email Templates have the same functionality in Lightning as they do in Classic. All the email templates you used in Classic are configured in Lightning and right where you left them - like default confirmation templates, donation thanks yous, etc.
In fact, at this time, you can only use Classic Email Templates for automation, like workflow email alerts. If you want to automate an email template, best to stick with Classic Email Templates for now.
Can I still edit Classic Email Templates?
Sure can! Here are some helpful resources from the PatronManager Help tab about editing Classic Email Templates:
What about cloning a Classic Email Templates?
Let's say you want to create a new confirmation email template specific to a particular event. No need to reinvent the wheel!
You can clone an existing Classic email template and make your edits from there. See our resources from the previous question for step-by-step instructions.
What can I use Lightning Email Templates for?
Lightning Email Templates are great if you want to create a one-off email from a record, or make a new series of templates you won't use for automation that are outside the scope of cloning an existing Classic Email Template.
Imagine this scenario: our fictional organization, Gatsby's Goats (a literary performing arts center and goat sanctuary), just started tracking ad solicitation for their programs in PatronManager via the Donation object. The development associate tasked with managing ad solicitations, Max, wants to send emails with important information pertaining to certain phases of the ad solicitation process.
They've transitioned to Lightning already and don't have any existing Classic Email Templates they want to use or clone, nor do they plan to automate this process. This is a perfect time to use Lightning Email Templates!
1. Create Lightning email template(s)
As mentioned earlier, you can create a new Lightning Email Template via the Email global action, the Email Templates tab, or a specific record.
Since Max needs to create email templates for ad sales and need to use Donation merge fields, they'll create their Lightning Email Templates via the Email Templates tab and choose Donation as the Related Entity Type.
If you're creating multiple email templates at once, consider cloning the first one to save time!
2. Once you've created your email templates and it's time to send one, go to the record you want to send the email from, and click the template icon in the email tab to insert a template
3. You'll see all the available templates for that Object record
Click on the template you want to use - in our example, Max has already sent ad materials to the prospect ad buyer but hasn't gotten a response in over a week. They've created a follow-up email template, which they'll select for this part of the ad sale process.
You can also access Classic Email Templates from the Templates drop-down if needed.
4. The email template will populate the email body - populate the "To" field with the Contact related to the Donation before you click "Send"!
Click the eye icon under the email body to preview the email and make sure merge fields work properly.
Excited about Lightning Email Templates?
We are, too! That's why we've gathered a few Salesforce resources about Lightning email templates. Read these articles to cultivate your knowledge: