--- title: "Creating SMS Templates" slug: "creating-sms-templates" updated: 2025-05-21T06:44:46Z published: 2025-05-21T06:44:46Z canonical: "help.csgi.com/creating-sms-templates" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.csgi.com/docs/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Creating SMS Templates Short Message Service (SMS) is a text messaging service normally used between mobile devices. You can use Communications Control to create SMS message templates. Click the **Templates** icon in the panel on the left-side of the application to open the **Library**, which lists all of your templates regardless of template type. From the Create New Template area in the upper-left corner of the page, click the **SMS** icon to display the following dialog box: ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_02-39-54(1).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) Type your template name in the **Insert template name** field using the naming requirements listed in the dialog box. Then click **Create New Template** to open the **SMS Editor**. **SMS Editor** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_23-58-40.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) **SMS Editor Item Descriptions** | Item | Description | | --- | --- | | **Links**: Area listing links in your SMS template. | | Link verifier (Visible when a link exists) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_23-26-31(1).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | Click to test your link. | | **Variables**: Area listing available variables. | | Add variable ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_23-27-06(1).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | Click to add a variable. | | **SMS Editor Stage**: Area you use to create your SMS template. | | Mobile Portrait indicator ![Mobile320icon](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_14-40-10(3).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | Click to view and edit your template in Mobile Portrait mode. | | Mobile Landscape indicator ![Mobile_Landscape_icon](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_14-40-18(3).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | Click to view and edit your template in Mobile Landscape mode. | | Template name/Save ![MMSTemplateNameSave](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_14-44-19(5).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | Identifies your template name. Click the disk icon to save your template. | | Clone/Delete ![MMSCloneDelete](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_14-44-19(6).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | Click the down arrow to view options to clone or delete your template. | | Channel/Status indicator ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_23-55-41.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | Identifies the channel to which the template belongs and the template status. | | Preview ![PreviewIcon](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_13-46-35 copy(2).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | Click to toggle **Preview** mode on and off. | | Create New ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2025-01-06_18-09-52.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) This feature allows users to create templates for different channels, such as MMS and Email, using the same name as an existing SMS template within the template editor. | | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2025-01-06_19-28-32.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2025-01-07_19-47-11.gif?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | The newly created templates are blank but can be easily populated by copying content from other templates. Each channel template opens in a new tab, and all templates with the same name are grouped together on the dashboard for streamlined organization. > [!NOTE] > ![Note](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/Note.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) Using one SMS template, you can create only one MMS template and one Email template with the same name. Once these templates are created, the + icon will no longer be available. To create a new template with a similar name, you must first delete the existing one. | | Notifications ![SMSNotifications](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_14-33-44 copy (5)(3).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | Click to view any notifications you may have. | | Send SMS test ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_14-33-44 copy (3)(3).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-12-18_23-28-35.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | The Send SMS test feature allows users to validate the messaging functionality by sending a sample SMS to ensure proper delivery and format. - Click on the send icon to configure the phone number. **Send SMS test message** pop will be displayed. - Enter the phone number on which SMS will be send. By clicking **Send Test**, you will receive a one-time test text message for message validation purposes. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undeliverable messages. > ![Note](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/Note.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) > > This test feature is currently available only for phone numbers in the United States (+1) region. For support, please contact [CSG Support](https://www.csgi.com/mycsgcustomer-support/). For additional information, please view our [Privacy Policy](https://www.csgi.com/privacy/privacy-notice/). | | Submit for review ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_14-33-44 copy (1)(4).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | Click this menu to submit your template for review. | | Message | Area you use to compose your message. | | SMS size indicator ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c578bb14-e570-4b6e-93ed-f6c5b8a2d8a1/Images/Documentation/2024-09-06_23-58-25.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-26T12%3A27%3A17Z&se=2026-10-26T13%3A27%3A17Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=4hLgYbOkChG26MdF8aH8IJUBNUnlYaMYDBrcz6zDZ6U%3D) | Identifies the estimated size of your SMS message. The maximum number of characters is 160. | | Preview | Area displaying your template in **Preview** mode. |