# 20.Canned responses and templates

E

Ellen . Lee

Last updated on Sep 27, 2026

Canned responses and templates

| Item | Details |

|—|—|

| Who it is for | Agents use them; administrators maintain global content |

| Menu location | Settings → Canned responses; Settings → Templates (WhatsApp, etc.) |

| Plan dependency | Canned response count uses canned_responses |

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1. Canned responses

In the composer type / plus a shortcode to insert a common paragraph.

1.1 Create

  1. Settings → Canned responses → Add.

  2. Shortcode: short alphanumeric word, for example refund-intro — unique within the team.

  3. Content: may include variables (contact name placeholders if the UI supports them).

  4. After saving, permitted agents can pull it with /.

Good for: greetings, asking for screenshots, business hours, refund document lists. Flows that change status or assignment should use Macros.

1.2 Use

In the conversation editor type /, search shortcode or title, select, edit if needed, then send.

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2. Content templates (WhatsApp, etc.)

Settings → Templates covers channel messages that need pre-approval — mainly WhatsApp.

  1. Submit the template in Meta and wait until Approved.

  2. Sync / select it in Chatips.

  3. When the conversation is outside the 24-hour window, send the template and fill variables.

  4. Campaign broadcasts must also use approved templates. See Campaigns.

Rejected, disabled or wrong variable counts cause send failures. Changing copy requires Meta approval again — you cannot only edit wording inside Chatips.

If other channel “content templates” appear in the same menu, fill media / quick-reply buttons per the on-screen help.

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3. Frequently asked questions

/ shows no list? No canned responses exist, or focus is not in the conversation composer.

Shortcode clash? Use a group prefix, for example cn-greeting, en-greeting.

Template is green in Meta but missing in Chatips? Click sync; confirm the same WABA / same inbox number.

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Related articles

– Conversation workspace

– Channels and inboxes

– Macros