How to Use the Plain Text Editor for Emails
Learn what the Plain Text Editor is, when to use it, how to create a plain-text email template, and how it differs from other email editing options.
Table of Contents1. What Is the Plain Text Editor?2. When to Use the Plain Text Editor
3. How to Create a Plain Text Email Template
4. Plain Text vs. Other Email Editors
5. Preview and Test the Email
6. Frequently Asked Questions
7. Need Help?1
What Is the Plain Text Editor?
The Plain Text Editor is an email editing option for creating simple, text-focused messages. It is useful when you want the email to feel more like a direct message and do not need the visual layouts available in the Design Editor.
2When to Use the Plain Text Editor
The Plain Text Editor is useful when the message should focus primarily on written content rather than a designed layout.
Common examples include:
- Direct or conversational messages
- Welcome or follow-up emails
- Text-heavy communications
- Emails that do not require complex layouts or visual design
How to Create a Plain Text Email Template
Create a new template and select the Plain Text Editor when you want a text-focused email instead of a drag-and-drop design or custom HTML.
- Go to Marketing → Emails → Templates.
- Click + New.

- Choose to create a new email template from scratch.
- When the editor options appear, select Plain Text.

- Enter your email content.
- Review the email before using it in a campaign or automation.
- Click Save Template.

Plain Text vs. Other Email Editors
Different editing options are available depending on how you want to build the email.
Plain Text
Use for simple, text-focused messages that do not require a designed layout.
Design Editor
Use for visual emails built with drag-and-drop elements and designed layouts.
Code Editor
Use when the email requires direct HTML control.
Note: Plain Text is not the same as Quick Compose. Quick Compose is a separate lightweight email creation option, while Plain Text is an editor option available through Smart Builder.
5Preview and Test the Email
Review the email before using the template in a live campaign. Preview and Test Email tools can be used to check content, personalization, and inbox rendering before sending.
6Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Plain Text Editor still available?Yes. Plain Text remains an editor option available through Smart Builder.Q: Is Plain Text the same as Quick Compose?No. Quick Compose is a separate lightweight email creation option. Plain Text is an editor option available through Smart Builder.Q: Can I use the Plain Text Editor in workflows?Yes. Workflow Send Email actions support Smart Builder → Plain Text.Q: When should I use the Design Editor instead?Use the Design Editor when the email needs visual layouts or drag-and-drop elements such as images, buttons, columns, or other designed content.7Need Help?
- Cannot find Plain Text: Start a new email through Smart Builder and review the available editor options.
- Need a visual layout: Use the Design Editor instead of Plain Text.
- Need direct HTML control: Use the Code Editor.
- Need to test the email: Use the available Preview and Test Email controls before using the template in a live campaign.
- Still need assistance? Contact your administrator or support team with the template and email-editor details.
More in Campaign Settings/Functionalities
- Understanding Email Campaign Statuses
- How to Send or Schedule an Email Campaign
- How to Set Up Sender Preferences in the Email Builder
- How to Pause, Resume, or Cancel a Scheduled Email Campaign
- How to Build Recipient Segments in Email Campaigns
- Configuring Unsubscribe Flows (One-Step, Two-Step, Dynamic)
- How to Batch Schedule Email Campaigns
- How to use build segments in email campaigns?
- Email Builder: Create New Tags in the Send or Schedule Page
- Resend to un-opened : Best Practices and Guide
- How to Set Default Values for Custom Fields Via Conditional Sending
- How to Reschedule an Email Campaign (Email Builder)