The Advanced Email Builder gives you a drag-and-drop canvas for creating professional-looking emails without needing to know any code. You can build your email piece by piece by adding content blocks (headings, text, images, buttons, and more) and customizing each one to match your style and message.
Note: The Advanced Email Builder is available on Suite plans and higher. If you don't see the Advanced Editor tab in your email composer, your plan may not include this feature.
The builder works both when you're sending a one-time email message and when adding email steps inside an Automated Workflow, so you can use it wherever emails fit into your communication.
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How to Access the Advanced Email Builder
You can use the Advanced Email Builder when composing any email in Text In Church, whether it's a one-time message or part of a workflow.
From a one-time email:
In the left sidebar, click Messages.
Click + Create and choose Email Message.
The email composer opens. At the top, you'll see two tabs: Simple Editor and Advanced Editor.
Click Advanced Editor to open the drag-and-drop builder.
From an Automated Workflow email step:
Open the workflow where you'd like to add an email.
Add or open an email step.
In the email composer, click Advanced Editor.
How to Add and Arrange Content Blocks
The Advanced Editor is split into two areas: the Content Blocks panel on the left and the canvas on the right where your email takes shape.
In the left panel, make sure the Content Blocks tab is selected.
Browse the available blocks and choose what you'd like to add to your email.
What each block does:
Connect Card: Inserts a church Connect Card with contact info fields.
Heading: Adds a heading (H1, H2, or H3) to introduce a section.
Text: Adds a paragraph of body text.
Button: Adds a clickable button that links to a URL.
Image: Adds an image to your email.
Avatar: Inserts a staff or sender photo.
Html: Lets you paste custom HTML for more advanced formatting.
Columns: Creates a multi-column layout section.
Container: Groups content together in a styled section.
Video: Adds a video thumbnail with a link.
Social: Adds social media icon links.
Footer: Inserts a footer section for contact info or unsubscribe text.
To add a block, drag it from the left panel onto the canvas where you want it, or click it to add it to the end of your email.
Once a block is on the canvas, hover over it to reveal its controls:
To reorder a block, use the up and down arrows on the left edge, or click and drag the drag handle (⋮⋮) to place it anywhere in the email.
To duplicate a block, click the copy icon that appears on hover.
To delete a block, click the trash icon on hover.
How to Edit a Block's Content and Design
Clicking on any block opens its editing options in the left panel under the Design tab.
Click any block in the canvas to select it.
The left panel updates to show Content fields and design settings specific to that block.
Heading block options:
Level: Choose H1, H2, or H3 to set the heading size.
Font Family: Pick the font you want the heading to use.
Edit the heading text directly in the canvas.
Text block options:
Content: Edit your text in the canvas using the formatting toolbar (bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, lists, and links).
Font Size: Adjust using the slider.
Alignment: Left, center, or right.
Font Weight: Regular or Bold.
Button block options:
Text: The label that appears on the button.
Url: The link the button will open when clicked (required).
How to Add Personalization
You can make your emails feel personal by inserting contact variables, like a recipient's first name, directly into any text-based block.
Click a Heading, Text, or Button block in the canvas to select it.
In the left panel, find the Insert variable dropdown.
Click the dropdown and select the variable you want to insert (for example, First Name).
The variable will appear in your text as a placeholder like {FIRST_NAME} and will automatically be replaced with each person's real information when the email is sent.
How to Use Templates
If you'd like a head start, Templates give you a pre-built email layout you can customize instead of building from scratch.
In the Advanced Editor toolbar at the top of the canvas, click Templates.
Browse the available templates and click one to apply it.
The template loads into the canvas with placeholder content. Click each block to replace it with your own text, images, and links.
How to Preview Your Email
It's always a good idea to preview your email before sending it out.
Click the Preview button at the top right of the canvas to see a full preview of how your email will look.
Use the desktop and mobile toggle icons in the toolbar to check how the layout looks on both screen sizes.
When everything looks good, click Confirm at the bottom right to save your email.
Troubleshooting
I don't see the Advanced Editor tab in my email composer.
The Advanced Email Builder is only available on Suite plans and higher. If you only see the Simple Editor, your current plan may not include this feature. Reach out to our support team and we'll help you figure out the best path forward.
I deleted a block by mistake.
No worries! Click the Undo button (↩) in the toolbar at the top of the canvas to bring it right back.
A block I dragged in isn't showing up where I expected.
Try clicking the block instead of dragging it. Clicking adds it to the end of your email, and you can then use the up/down arrows that appear on hover to move it into the right position.
My button isn't saving and there's an error on the URL field.
The URL field is required for Button blocks. Make sure you've entered a full URL including https:// and try confirming again.
Help and Support
Still need help? Reach out to our Support team. You can also use the button below to share your experience with this article.
