# Summary

WhatsApp Template Messages allow businesses to send important notifications, such as alerts and account updates, to customers. These messages can include call-to-action buttons, quick replies, and media elements like images and videos. Additionally, they can be sent even after the 24-hour customer service window has expired. The process of submitting WhatsApp Template Messages varies depending on your WATI plan. This guide explains how to submit templates for both the **WATI Standard/PRO** plan.

# Instructions

## Steps to Create a Template Message

### 1. Navigate to the Template Message Section


1. Go to **Broadcast**.
2. Select **Template Messages**.
3. Click **Your Templates**.
4. Click **New Template Message** to start creating a template.

## Creating a Text-Only Template Message

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8e891fb2-b8da-40b6-8609-c45377c7118c/a2b93dba-9965-48cd-8d96-7db93912cae4/SCR-20250301-rcfh.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250712%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250712T014429Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=8fc9aa816d82b9aaad025b84d8fb3ce119664631b794fcfdc34c3a799d79b2b8&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment " =1456x755")


1. **Enter the Template Name**: Use underscores instead of spaces (e.g., \`template_for_demo\`).
2. **Select the Category**.
3. **Choose the Language**.
4. **Enter the Message Body**: Use parameters in the format \`{{parameter}}\` to personalize messages. During the broadcast, these variables will be replaced with corresponding contact attribute values.
5. **Save the Template**:
   * Click **Save as draft** to continue editing later.
   * Click **Save and submit** to send the template to WhatsApp for approval.

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8e891fb2-b8da-40b6-8609-c45377c7118c/c4dcadc1-7659-4c60-9342-b77b30dd516b/SCR-20250301-rcrm.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250712%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250712T014429Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=cccbd8bb7464eb75b1c1a211e3d0273abe7e5ee34cb8e814810e93b5f8079560&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment " =346x96")

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8e891fb2-b8da-40b6-8609-c45377c7118c/d04e7744-07c1-4589-8d29-0bbb9f9095af/SCR-20250301-rcxa.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250712%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250712T014429Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=95451992c831caca24d88ef9e8578a05ad244727ae5dcccf933452582e8ef09d&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment " =1444x191")


:::info
**Note:** The maximum character limit for the message body, including variable values, is **1024 characters**.

:::

## Creating a Rich Media Template Message

Rich templates allow you to include images, PDFs, videos, and interactive buttons.

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8e891fb2-b8da-40b6-8609-c45377c7118c/3a33af86-8ae5-47b4-bc20-a14d837d671e/SCR-20250301-rdfd.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250712%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250712T014429Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=d8d03370617d8d7b8739bf8c1aaf3bd922f28efd1ae429bf164872bbe70e196e&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment " =836x392")

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8e891fb2-b8da-40b6-8609-c45377c7118c/939b76f1-ddb1-488f-953c-837a1a913fc3/SCR-20250301-rdlm.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250712%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250712T014429Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=823fe59c447420ac8d0c490d52abdb50853d5fb686fda33b99d34191489c44c5&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment " =803x463")


1. **Enter the Template Name** (use underscores, e.g., \`template_for_demo\`).
2. **Select the Category**.
3. **Choose the Language**.
4. **Set a Broadcast Title (Optional)**:
   * **None**: No broadcast title.
   * **Text**: A text-based title.
   * **Media**: A title with an image, video, or document. **Supported formats:**
   * **Images**: JPEG, PNG
   * **Videos**: MP4
   * **Documents**: Any valid MIME type [View supported file types](https://support.wati.io/articles/supported-media-types-sizes-on-wati-PxutVTQToT)
5. **Add the Message Body**: Click **Add Variable** to insert dynamic fields (e.g., \`Dear {{name}}, hello from WATI.\`).
6. **Add an Optional Footer** (e.g., "Powered by [wati.io](http://wati.io)").
7. **Add Interactive Buttons (Optional)**:
   * **Call to Action**:
     * **Visit Website (using links)** : Define **Button Text**, select **URL Type** (Static or Dynamic), and enter the URL (Dynamic URLs can use variables like \`{{name}}\`).
     * **Call Phone**: Enter **Button Text** and a phone number (without the \`+\` sign).
   * **Quick Reply**: Add up to **3 quick-reply buttons**. [Learn how to add buttons to templates](https://support.wati.io/articles/how-to-add-buttons-with-template-messages-b2QbFFCqbD).

## Modifying Template Messages


1. Click **Edit** to modify a draft template message.
2. Click **Submit** to send the template for WhatsApp's approval.
   * **Approval Process:** Meta reviews template submissions, which may take **30 minutes to 24 hours**.
   * Once submitted, the status changes to **Pending** and the template becomes read-only.
   * Approved templates will have the status **Approved**.
3. Click **Remove** to delete a template.
   * Deleted templates **cannot** be reused; a new name is required to submit a replacement.

## Searching and Sorting Template Messages


1. Use the **search bar** to find templates by keywords.
2. Click **Filter** to sort template messages by status. By following these steps, you can create, customize, and manage WhatsApp Template Messages efficiently.

## Submitting Templates for WATI Standard/PRO Plan

If you are using **WATI CRM**, you must submit your WhatsApp Template Messages directly from your **WATI account**.

### Important Notes:

* **Do not** submit templates from **WhatsApp Manager**, as they will **not** be added to your WATI account.
* You can manage and track all approved templates within your WATI CRM.

# Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

## ==General Questions==

### 1. What are WhatsApp Template Messages?

→ Answer: WhatsApp Template Messages are pre-approved messages that businesses can use to send notifications, alerts, and updates to customers. These messages can include text, media, and interactive buttons.

### 2. Why do I need to submit a template for approval?

→ Answer: WhatsApp requires businesses to use pre-approved templates for proactive messaging to prevent spam and ensure quality communication.

### 3. How long does it take for a template to get approved?

→ Answer: Template approval by Meta typically takes between 30 minutes to 24 hours.

## ==Creating and Modifying Templates==

### 4. Can I edit a template after submitting it for approval?

→ Answer: No, once submitted, a template enters a Pending state and becomes read-only. If changes are needed, you must delete the template and create a new one.

### 5. Can I add a hyperlink in a template message?

→ Answer: Hyperlinking isn’t supported by Meta however, you can always add buttons in a template message and add a URL link to redirect users to the desired website when they click on the button.

### 6. What is the maximum character limit for a template message?

→ Answer: The message body, including variable values, must not exceed 1024 characters.

### 7. Can I use variables in my message templates?

→ Answer: Yes, you can use variables in the format {{parameter}} to personalize messages based on contact attributes.

### 8. What media formats are supported for rich template messages?

→ Answer: Images: JPEG, PNG

Videos: MP4

Documents: Any valid MIME-type

## ==Submitting and Managing Templates==

### 9. How do I check the status of my template?

→ Answer: You can check the status of your submitted template in WhatsApp Manager under the Message Templates section.

### 10. What happens if my template is rejected?

→ Answer: If your template is rejected, WhatsApp will provide a reason. You can modify the template accordingly and resubmit it.

### 11. Can I delete a template and reuse the same name?

→ Answer: No, once a template is deleted, you cannot reuse the same name. You must submit a new template with a different name.

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