How to set up Gmail templates and some practical uses

If you send lots of emails every day, say for work purposes, you may have realized that you are typing the same thing over and over to different people. Whether it’s a standard job application cover letter, an acknowledgment that you’ve received something, or a request that you want to send out to dozens of people, you don’t want to type it repeatedly. That’s why Gmail templates are among the best inventions ever. It saves you time and lots of effort.

Also read: The ultimate Gmail guide

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On the Gmail website, templates are an add-on that you can activate in the Advanced section of Gmail Settings. Once activated, go to a new email window and type what you want to save as a template. Then click the three-dot menu button, select Templates > Save draft as template > Save as new template. Give it a name and Save it.

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How to activate Gmail templates

Templates used to be known as Canned Responses, and started life as an optional extra. It’s still an optional extra, but you now need to switch it on.

More: How to use Gmail Smart Compose to write faster emails

How to create a Gmail template

Now you’re ready to create a Gmail template. Follow the steps below to set up a new template.

How to use a Gmail template

When it’s time to use one of your saved templates, follow the steps below.

Read more: How to add or change a signature in Gmail

How to delete a template

Some practical uses

You may be wondering what you could use these templates for. Here are some practical uses.

• A job application cover letter. If you’re sending out dozens of applications, use the template each time, and tweak it where needed for each employer.
• An automatic signature. Gmail already offers an automatic signature feature, but you can instead have a signature saved as a template and drop it in when needed.
• A standard acknowledgment. If you’re in the habit of receiving the same thing over and over from people (say application forms, frequently asked questions, and so on), you can create a standard boilerplate response template.

Read more: How to create a mailing list in Gmail

FAQs

You can create up to 50 Gmail templates.

No. Gmail templates are only available on the full desktop website.

Creating an actual Gmail signature is just as easy, but you can use Gmail templates as signatures, if you wish to.

Gmail templates are turned off by default. You need to turn on the feature in the Advanced Settings.

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