HTML in Third Generation Editor

[ErieBar]

 At what point (if any) will we have the ability to edit message HTML code? I mostly use if for font size flexibility, but it's also useful for a vast array of message customizations...

Thanks! 

[ErieBar]

Hello everyone,

Currently, in our Third Generation Editor we do not allow access to edit the HTML and have no immediate plans to do so. We want to provide our customers with the abilities to be able to use a user-friendly interface instead of having to rely on a code view to get their desired results. With all the feedback we have been collecting we are planning on making improvements to padding and adding some line spacing elements in the UI. I know this doesn’t solve all use cases, such as adding tables, but we will continue to make strides towards improving the editor.

I understand allowing HTML would increase the ability for more control of your content but it can also have a negative impact on your newsletter’s display in email clients.  If we provide access to HTML for every block, changing some of the default styles or content could break display when sent to an email client. Also being able to manually adjust width could have a negative effect. We have a team of amazing engineers constantly testing our templates in all email clients, so you can be certain your email displays consistently across the board. With that in mind, we want to make sure we make it easy to provide the best look and feel not only on the desktop but on mobile. With a majority of opens now leaning towards mobile over desktop we take that as a priority.

Please continue to let us know your thoughts on HTML and what exactly you're trying to do so even if we don't have HTML access we will be able to give you the tools to get your desired outcome.

Thanks,

[Jeremy_Wilson]

I want to use one of the constant contact templates, but somewhere in there add a block of HTML code. 

We do course work and I have a script that will generate the courses I wanted to promote, it creates the HTML code and I'd like to add this to our regular eblast.

Any thoughts on how I can accomplish this without creating a whole new template from scratch?

[Gwendolyn_B]

Hi @Jeremy_Wilson!

After taking a look at your account, it does look like you are working with our editor that does allow HTML code to be modified. Just to note, editing the HTML for a block can be tricky if you aren't familiar with HTML coding.

There is an HTML button on the toolbar when you are editing a block, and it looks like this:You may have to disable your pop up blocker, or add Constant Contact to the allowed pop up group, as this Code View is in a new window. When you are working in Code View, and you want to save your changes, you will hit the Update button at the bottom of the Code View window. If there are any errors in the code, it will alert you to that.

If you have any other HTML questions, feel free to reach out again here, or give our Support agents a call here!

[D_Conway]

Why am I not seeing that HTML button when I edit?

[Caitlin_M]

Hello @D_Conway. It's possible that you are using our third-generation editor to create your emails which does not have access to HTML. I see that you spoke with our Support team yesterday about the difference between our second and third-generation editors. Our third-generation editor is completely drag-and-drop and every email you create using it is mobile-responsive. Please let us know if you have any further questions!

[Aramco-ExPats]

I like some of your features in the third generation; however, I am a long time user of Constant Contact and use HTML for most of our newsletters. 

Vicci

[Taryn_L]

@Aramco-ExPats

Thank you for reaching out to the Community! While our third generation editor does not provide access to the HTML code, we do provide the option of Custom Coded templates. These are readily available in your account.

I will still submit your feedback on preferring to have access to the HTML in the third generation editor.

In the meantime, if you have any further questions please feel free to reach out to us here. We are always happy to assist you in any way we can!

[Personalabs]

I'm disappointed that you have removed the html option in the current version of Constant Contact as I would like to be able to add a countdown timer to my email messages and I do not see how I can do that now without having to go to customer support each time and submit a special request ... :-(

[StephanieK563]

HTML should be a feature of ALL editors, whatever the generation. 

[Evan_G]

@StephanieK563

Thank you for getting back to us.

I absolutely understand your concerns and I will pass along this feedback on your behalf. In the meantime, please let us know if you have additional questions.

Thank you for using Constant Contact, have a great day!