Configuring Paragraphs in Templates
The Paragraph Content element is the primary tool for adding regular body copy to a template. Paragraphs can be used for greetings, message content, descriptions, instructions, event details, acknowledgments, closing messages, and most other written communication.
Paragraphs also support formatting, links, merge tags, lists, and other text controls, keeping written content readable and personalized.
Add a Paragraph to a Template
Open the Content tab in the Template Editor.
Click and drag the Paragraph element onto the desired location on your template.
Double-click within the Paragraph to place your cursor in the text.
Replace the default text with your own content.
Use the inline formatting toolbar and settings on the right to adjust the appearance of the Paragraph.
Write and Format Paragraph Text
Double-click within a Paragraph to begin editing the text directly on the template canvas.
The text formatting tools allow you to apply formatting such as:
Font and text size
Bold, italic, underline, and other emphasis
Text color
Alignment
Bulleted and numbered lists
Links
Merge tags
Line and paragraph formatting
Formatting can be applied to an entire Paragraph or to selected words and phrases within it.
Pasting Text into a Paragraph
Text copied from Microsoft Word, Google Docs, websites, emails, and other applications may contain hidden formatting that can affect how it appears inside the Template Editor.
When you paste formatted text into a Paragraph, the editor may prompt you to Remove Formatting.
We recommend selecting Remove Formatting and then applying the desired formatting directly within the Template Editor.
Removing the original formatting can help prevent issues such as:
Unexpected fonts or text sizes
Inconsistent line spacing
Unwanted colors or styles
Irregular spacing between paragraphs
Formatting that behaves differently on Desktop and Mobile
Content that is difficult to restyle later
This is especially helpful when text has been copied through several different programs or shared documents before being added to the template.
Add a Link to Paragraph Text
Individual words or phrases within a Paragraph can be turned into clickable links.
Double-click the Paragraph to begin editing.
Highlight the word or phrase you want recipients to select.
Select the Link icon from the inline formatting toolbar.
Choose the appropriate Action Type.
Complete the settings for that Action.
Save the template and test the link before sending.
The available Action Types include:
Open Website
Use Open Website when the linked text should direct recipients to an online destination.
Enter the destination in the URL field and select the appropriate Target, such as Same Tab or New Tab.
For example, text such as Register for the event could link directly to an event registration page.
Send Email
Use Send Email when you want the linked text to open a new email message.
Field | What It Does |
|---|---|
Mail To | Sets the email address that will populate as the recipient. |
Subject | Sets the subject line that will populate in the new message. |
Body | Adds predefined wording to the body of the new email. |
Call Phone Number
Use Call Phone Number when the linked text should prompt recipients to call a specified telephone number on a compatible device.
Go to Page Section
Use Go to Page Section when the linked text should move recipients to another named section within the same email.
Choose the desired Page Section from the available dropdown.
Remove a Link
To remove an existing link:
Highlight the linked text.
Select the Unlink option from the formatting toolbar.
The text will remain in the Paragraph, but the linked Action will be removed.
Insert Merge Tags
Merge tags can be added directly within Paragraph content to personalize the communication using information stored in DonorDock.
Double-click the Paragraph to begin editing.
Place your cursor where the personalized information should appear.
Select the Merge Tag option from the formatting toolbar.
Choose the desired merge tag.
Continue writing the surrounding text as needed.
For example, a greeting might begin: Dear {{First Name}},
When the template is generated, the merge tag is replaced with the corresponding information from the DonorDock record.
Merge tags can be used throughout Paragraph content for information such as contact details, gift information, organization information, custom fields, dates, and other available record data.
The merge tags available depend on the type of template you are creating.
When using merge tags within a sentence, make sure the surrounding wording will still make sense when the personalized value is inserted.
Use Multiple Paragraph Elements for Longer Messages
For longer communications, consider breaking the message into multiple Paragraph elements instead of putting all the content in one large Paragraph.
For example, if your communication contains five distinct paragraphs, you may want to create several separate Paragraph elements.
Separating longer content provides more control over the structure of the template and makes it easier to:
Move sections independently
Insert a Heading between sections
Add an Image or Button between paragraphs
Adjust spacing around a specific portion of the message
Rearrange sections later
Troubleshoot formatting without affecting the entire message
Using multiple Paragraph elements also creates a more modular template that other team members can update more easily in the future.
Text Settings
When the Paragraph element is selected, additional Text Settings appear in the panel on the right.
Text Color
Text Color controls the primary color used for the Paragraph.
The color selector uses the same controls available elsewhere in the Template Editor, allowing you to select a color visually, enter a HEX or RGB value, or choose from available standard and Template Colors.
Maintain enough contrast between the text and its background to keep the Paragraph easy to read.
Text Align
Text Align controls the horizontal alignment of Paragraph text.
Left | Aligns the text along the left side of the Content area. |
Center | Centers the Paragraph text. |
Right | Aligns the text along the right side of the Content area. |
Justify | Adjusts spacing so lines extend across the available width. |
Left alignment is generally the easiest to read for longer blocks of body copy.
Line Height
Line Height controls the amount of vertical space between lines within the Paragraph.
The default Line Height is 140%.
Increasing the value creates more space between lines, while decreasing it creates a more compact block of text.
For longer Paragraphs, sufficient line spacing can make the message easier to scan and read.
Letter Spacing
Letter Spacing controls the space between individual characters. The default Letter Spacing is 0 px.
Use small adjustments for specific design needs, but larger values may make regular body copy harder to read.
Link Appearance
The Links settings on the right control how linked text appears within the Paragraph.
Inherit Body Styles
Inherit Body Styles determines whether Paragraph links use the link styling defined in the template's Body settings.
When this option is enabled, links follow the template-wide Body link settings. This can help maintain consistent link formatting throughout the communication.
When Inherit Body Styles is turned off, you can configure the link appearance specifically for the selected Paragraph.
Setting | What It Does |
|---|---|
Link Color | Sets the color used for linked text within the Paragraph. |
Underline | Determines whether linked text appears underlined. |
Using consistent link styling throughout a template can make clickable text easier for recipients to recognize.
General Settings
The General settings control the Paragraph element's spacing, internal navigation, and responsive behavior.
Container Padding
Container Padding controls the amount of space surrounding the Paragraph within its Block.
Setting | What It Does |
|---|---|
Container Padding | Adds space between the Paragraph and nearby Content elements. |
More Options | Allows the Top, Right, Bottom, and Left padding values to be adjusted independently. |
Container Padding is especially useful when using separate Paragraph elements, since each section can have its spacing adjusted without affecting the text around it.
Section Name
The Section Name field allows the Paragraph element to serve as a destination for internal navigation within a longer email.
Enter a short, recognizable Section Name if a Menu item, Button, linked Heading, or another supported element should direct recipients to this location using Go to Page Section.
Responsive Design
Responsive Design controls whether the Paragraph appears based on how the recipient is viewing the email. When editing in Desktop view, enable Hide on Desktop if the Paragraph should not appear in the desktop version.
When editing in Mobile view, enable Hide on Mobile if the Paragraph should not appear on mobile devices. Hiding a Paragraph in one view does not delete it from the template.
Paragraph Tips
Keep body copy readable by using consistent fonts, text sizes, colors, and spacing throughout the template. Break longer messages into logical sections and use Headings, Buttons, Images, or other Content elements when they help recipients scan the communication more easily.
When pasting content from another application, remove the original formatting and restyle it within the Template Editor whenever possible.
Before using the template, review Paragraph content in both Desktop and Mobile views. Generate a test communication to confirm that links work correctly, merge tags populate as expected, and text spacing and formatting remain consistent in the finished message.