# Create a Message Template Create and submit a WhatsApp message template for Meta approval, then use it in a campaign. _Last updated: 2026-09-11_ ## Overview A message template is a pre-approved WhatsApp message format that you reuse in campaigns and automations. Every template must be submitted to Meta for review before it can be sent — this guide walks through creating one: naming it, writing the message body, and submitting it for approval. ## Before you begin - Your WhatsApp Business number must already be connected. - Decide which category fits your message — Marketing, Utility, or Authentication — since Meta reviews templates differently depending on category. - Marketing — promotions, announcements, or offers. - Utility — order updates, reminders, or account notifications. - Authentication — one-time passcodes or identity verification. - If your message needs to insert dynamic values (a customer's name, an order number), plan out your variables before you start. ### Choosing a category **Marketing** Use for promotions, announcements, or offers. Marketing templates are reviewed most strictly and can't be sent inside a customer service window without one. **Utility** Use for order updates, shipping notices, appointment reminders, or account alerts tied to a specific transaction the customer already started. **Authentication** Use only for one-time passcodes or identity verification. Meta restricts what this category can contain — no promotional content is allowed. ## Quick navigation [Open Templates](#open-templates) → [Name your template](#name-your-template) → [Write your message](#write-your-message) → [Submit for review](#submit-for-review). ## Open Templates ### Step 1 — Open Templates From the left navigation, click Templates, then click Create Template. ## Name your template ### Step 2 — Enter a template name Give the template a name using only lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores, then choose a Category and Language. Pick Standard Template or Carousel Template depending on the format you need. > **NOTE: Naming is internal only** > The template name is never shown to recipients — it's only how you identify the template inside Automate AI and in the WhatsApp Manager. ## Write your message ### Step 3 — Write the body Enter your message text in the Body field — this is the only required content block. Insert variables using numbered placeholders like {{1}} and {{2}}, or named placeholders like {{customer_name}} and {{order_id}}. You can optionally add a Header (text, image, video, or document) above the body. > **TIP: Use one variable style per template** > Mix numbered and named placeholders in the same template and Meta will reject it — pick one style and use it consistently. If you use any variables, you'll also need to provide an example value for each one so Meta's reviewers can see how the message reads in practice. ```text Hi {{1}}, your order #{{2}} has shipped! — or, using named placeholders instead of numbered — Hi {{customer_name}}, your order #{{order_id}} has shipped! ``` ## Submit for review ### Step 4 — Review and submit Check the Template Preview panel on the right to see exactly how the message will render, then click Create Template. > **WARNING: Before you click Create Template** > Submitting sends the template to Meta for review under your connected WhatsApp Business Account — this cannot be undone or edited afterward. If it's rejected, you'll need to create a new template rather than fix the existing one. ## Expected result The new template appears in your Templates list with status Pending while Meta reviews it. Once approved, its status changes to Approved and it becomes available to select in the campaign wizard. ## Template lifecycle Drag the boxes or click one to see what each stage means. _[Interactive demo — view this article on the live page to use it]_ ## Troubleshooting **Create Template button stays disabled** The Body field is required and can't be empty. If you added variables, make sure every one of them has an example value filled in as well. **Template was rejected** Meta reviews template wording against its own policies, and rejections don't always come with a detailed reason. See [Meta's template guidelines](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/business-management-api/message-templates) for what commonly gets approved. Create a new template with clearer, more specific wording rather than trying to edit the rejected one — rejected templates can't be resubmitted. **Template is stuck on Pending** Review times vary and can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours or more. Use Sync from WhatsApp on the Templates page to pull the latest status. ### See also [Create a Campaign](/docs/features-create-campaign) — Once your template is approved, use it to send a campaign to your contacts. --- ### Template fields | Field | Required | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | Template Name | Required | Lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores only. Internal — recipients never see it. | | Category | Required | Marketing, Utility, or Authentication. Affects how Meta reviews the template. | | Language | Required | The language the message is written in. | | Template Type | Required | Standard Template or Carousel Template. | | Header | Optional | An optional title, image, video, or document shown above the body. | | Body | Required | The message text. Supports numbered ({{1}}) or named ({{customer_name}}) variables — not both in the same template. | | Example Values for Variables | Required if using variables | A sample value for each variable, shown to Meta's reviewers. | ## Related articles - [Create a Campaign](/docs/features-create-campaign) — Send a WhatsApp campaign to your contacts: create it, pick a template, choose recipients, and review before sending. - [Create a Contact](/docs/features-create-contact) — Add a single contact to your account manually. - [Import Contacts](/docs/features-import-contacts) — Bulk-add or update contacts from a CSV or Excel file. - [Manage Your Contacts](/docs/features-manage-contacts) — Search, filter, and take action on your existing contacts.