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Test Data and Variables

Test data allows you to populate variables in your template. It is used to preview dynamic content and see how personalised values will appear in your email before sending.

How Variables Work​

Variables are dynamic placeholders that are replaced with real values from each recipient's contact data when the campaign is sent. They are created from the columns you map as Custom Variables during the Add Contacts step of the campaign wizard.

Where Variables Can Be Inserted​

LocationHow they appear
Email body (Design Editor)Pink variable tags within content blocks
Email body (Code Editor)Pink variable tags inserted via toolbar
Subject linePink variable tags
Code Editor HTMLVariable placeholder syntax in the raw code

Special Variables​

In addition to variables mapped from your CSV, one special variable is always available:

  • Unsubscribe: resolves to a unique unsubscribe link for each recipient. Required for email campaign compliance.

Test Data Tab​

The Test Data tab in the email template editor provides an input field for every variable in your template (excluding the recipient field).

How to Use Test Data​

  1. Open the Test Data tab in the template editor.
  2. Enter a sample value for each variable (e.g. enter "Jane" for a first_name variable).
  3. The email preview updates to show the entered values in place of the variable placeholders.

Preview Behaviour​

Test data stateWhat the preview shows
Value enteredThe entered value (e.g. "Jane")
No value enteredThe raw variable placeholder (e.g. {{first_name}})

This lets you see exactly how the email will look for a recipient with that data, or identify where variables will appear if left blank.

Where Test Data Is Used​

  • Email preview panel: variables resolve to test data values in both Visual and Code editor previews
  • Subject line preview: subject variables also use test data values
  • Test email: when sending a test email, test data values are used for all variable fields
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In the subject line and the code editor, variables always display as pink variable tags, not as their test values. Test values only resolve in the preview panel and test emails.

Sending a Test Email​

Before finishing a campaign, you can send a test email to verify the complete email experience:

  1. Click Send Test Email in the template editor.
  2. The test email modal opens, showing:
    • Sender information: the current From, Reply-to, and Subject settings
    • Test data summary: the current test data values. Variables without test data will show as {{variable_name}} in the sent email
    • Recipients: a field to add up to 10 email addresses
  3. You can click the button to add your own account email instantly.
  4. Click Send to deliver the test email.

Behaviour​

  • The test email uses your current sender settings and test data values.
  • Variables with blank test data display as their placeholder name (e.g. {{amount_due}}).
  • The test email is a preview tool and does not affect your campaign.
  • Each time you make a change to the template, you are prompted to send another test to verify the updated content.

Best Practices​

  • Fill in test data for all variables before previewing. This gives you the most accurate preview of the final email.
  • Send a test email to yourself and at least one colleague before finishing the campaign.
  • Check both desktop and mobile previews to verify layout across screen sizes.
  • Pay attention to fallback display. If a recipient's data is missing a variable value, the variable name appears as-is in the email. Consider how that looks.