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You can create three types of templates: AUTHENTICATION, UTILITY, and MARKETING. Templates are submitted to Meta for review before they can be used in campaigns or automations.

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Prerequisites

  • WhatsApp Business Number connected to your workspace
  • Permission to Create templates
Create Template Screenshot

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Open the template creator

  • Go to Templates in the left sidebar and select Create Template.

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Name, number, language, and category

1

Template name

The name must be lowercase, alphanumeric, and use underscores only. Max 50 characters.Examples: order_update_v2, big_billion_day_sale
No spaces or uppercase letters are allowed.
2

WhatsApp Business Number

Select the number that will own this template.
3

Language

Pick the language from the searchable list. Languages include variants like English (US), Portuguese (BR), Chinese (CHN/HKG/TAI) and more.
4

Category

Choose one of: AUTHENTICATION, UTILITY, or MARKETING. This determines Meta review rules and how the template can be used.

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Header (optional)

Choose one of the following header types. Each type enforces file and size limits when you upload.
  • None: No header.
  • Text: Up to 60 characters.
  • Image: .jpg or .png, max 5 MB.
  • Document: .pdf, .doc/.docx, .xls/.xlsx, .ppt/.pptx, max 100 MB.
  • Video: .mp4 or .3gp, max 16 MB.
When you upload a media file, we automatically store the asset handle with Meta so the template can reference it during submission.

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Message body

  • Rich text editor with a live character counter (max 1024).
  • Use # to insert dynamic variables (for example: #name).
  • When you add variables, an Example Values panel appears. Provide a sample for each variable; these samples are sent to Meta during review.
You must provide example values for every variable used in the body. Submission is blocked if any sample is missing.
  • Single line of text, up to 60 characters.

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Buttons (optional)

Select one mode: No buttons, Call to action, or Quick reply.

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Call to action

  • Add at most one of each:
    • URL button: label 1–20 chars, URL validated (up to 512 chars).
    • Phone button: label 1–20 chars, phone validated as a mobile number.
  • Button texts must be unique across all buttons.

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Quick reply

  • Up to 3 quick replies.
  • Each quick reply label is 1–25 characters.
  • Button texts must be unique across all buttons.

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Preview

A live WhatsApp preview is shown on the right as you edit. It updates with your header, body, footer, and buttons, including media thumbnails.

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Submit for review

Click Submit to send the template to Meta for approval.
On success, the template appears in your templates list with a status like In review. You can use approved templates in Campaigns and Automations.

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Tips and best practices

  • Keep headers concise and use images when they add real context.
  • Write scannable bodies: short paragraphs or bullet points work well on mobile.
  • Personalize responsibly: only include variables you can reliably provide.
  • Use unique button labels to pass validation and help users decide quickly.
  • Test the link/number you place in CTA buttons.

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Validation limits (reference)

  • Name: lowercase a–z, 0–9, underscore _; max 50 chars
  • Header text: max 60 chars
  • Footer text: max 60 chars
  • Body: max 1024 chars (plain-text count)
  • URL button: label 1–20, URL ≤ 512 chars
  • Phone button: label 1–20, valid mobile number
  • Quick reply: label 1–25, up to 3 quick replies
These limits come from the SwiftSell template form validation and WhatsApp requirements.