In this article, we will explain how to convert your email templates created using the Old Template Language to the New Template Language (Brevo Template Language).
Good to know
- If your Brevo account was created before October 2018, make sure you have enabled the New Template Language on your account. Once enabled, you will have the option to automatically convert your email templates to follow the New Template Language syntax.
- If your Brevo account was created after October 2018, the New Template Language is automatically enabled and you won't need to convert your email templates.
What's the difference between the Old and New Template Language?
The New Template Language provides a standardized, common structure for creating efficient templates and powerful design options. This includes predefined placeholders (also called "merge tags" or "variables") for inserting content like contact attributes and transactional parameters, which are different from the placeholders used by the Old Template Language.
In the Old Template Language, variables may be enclosed in single curly braces {LIKE THIS}, percentage symbols %LIKE THIS%, or square brackets [LIKE THIS] depending on the placeholder type. In the New Template Language, all types of variables are enclosed in double curly braces {{ LIKE THIS }}.
Check your email template
If your original email template contained a syntax error in the Old Template Language, the converter will not be able to correctly convert your entire email template.
Before following the conversion process below, check for and correct common mistakes such as:
- a missing closing character for your placheolder such as the single
}curly brace, percentage%sign, or square]bracket, - an extra space after your placeholder name
{LIKE THIS }.
Update your email template
To start with take a look at our detailed video on how to convert your email templates to the New Template Language 🚀.
To update an email template from the Old Template Language to the New Template Language:
- Open an email template created in the Drag & Drop Editor (Classic) that contains placeholders from the Old Template Language.
- In the blue notification banner alerting you that the template is ready to be updated to the New Template Language, click Update to the new Version.
- In the confirmation pop-up, click OK to confirm the update.
Review your email template
After the update, review your email template to ensure that your placeholders were updated as expected.
Identify and correct errors
If your email template cannot be converted due to an error in the original syntax, the following error message will appear, as well as additional details about the error.
if condition not completed in the Old Template Language
In this example, the if condition was not fully completed. After correcting the original condition, the email template may be converted.
if condition contains extra characters in the Old Template Language
In this example, the if condition was fully completed but contained extra characters ("26") that don't serve a purpose and cause it to malfunction. The email template converter updated the if condition to the new syntax but was not able to remove the malfunctioning part. Once removed manually, the email template conversion may be completed.
Use of New Template Language syntax before the email template was converted
In this example, the New Template Language was accidentally used instead of the Old Template Language. After updating the placeholder to use the Old Template Language syntax, the email template may be converted.
⏩ What's next?
🤔 Have a question?
If you have a question, feel free to contact our support team by creating a ticket from your account. If you don't have an account yet, you can contact us here.