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DocumentationGenStudioUser Guide

Template code editor

Last update: Wed Aug 13 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

CREATED FOR:

  • Intermediate
  • Developer

The template code editor is designed to help you verify and refine your template for optimal use when generating new experiences with GenStudio for Performance Marketing. The editor supports the Handlebars syntax, which uses placeholders within the template to indicate where GenStudio for Performance Marketing should generate content for you.

TIP
Before uploading your template HTML code in the Content Templates view, prepare your template by inserting content placeholders defined in the Customize templates guidance.

Check detected fields

The Check detected fields pane shows a list of fields that GenStudio for Performance Marketing recognizes in your template. Review the list, and you can scroll through the HTML code to look at the formation of your template.

Code editor view {width="600" modal="regular"}

If you notice that a field is missing from the list, search your template code and find the location for the missing field. Insert the correct placeholder using the Handlebars syntax and a recognized field name. Use the Find and Replace form, which appears at the bottom of the code editor, to search for specific strings in the code. (Windows CTRL+F or macOS CMD+F)

Adjust roles for a variable

You can select and change field roles for text-based field roles (for example, headline, sub_headline, body, cta, on_image_text, custom) with a dropdown during the template structure check. Field role selections persist during template edits so customizations aren’t lost, improving workflow efficiency.

NOTE
Image variables cannot have their roles adjusted.

Multi-role field selection {width="600" modal="regular"}

To assign a role to a variable:

  1. Find the variable in the Check detected fields pane. These variables are automatically discovered.
  2. Review the roles assigned to each variable. Roles are automatically assigned but can be adjusted using the dropdown for any variable in the template.
  3. Adjust a role by selecting a new role from the dropdown.
  4. Click Next to continue.

Make a correction

If there are errors in your template, you may see a Template is invalid message that includes a brief explanation of the issue. In the following example, the message indicates that the _image field doesn’t conform to the field naming convention established in the multi-pod template. The message further advises that you need to update the field name with the correct prefix. Find the _image field in the template code editor, and update the name as advised.

Correct invalid template {width="600" modal="regular"}

The Check detected fields pane updates to reflect the changes that you made. Once you’re satisfied that the fields are correct and complete, click Next to continue uploading your template.

Common template issues and solutions

Error
Description
Solution
Failed to parse
The template content could not be parsed as valid Handlebars.
Check your template for HTML and Handlebars syntax errors and correct them to ensure valid formatting for content placeholders.
Group not assigned
An image field in a multi-group email template is not assigned to any group.
Check for consistent use of section prefixes. Each section can use only one of each field type (headline, body, image cta). Assign the image field to a valid group in your template.
Image missing
A required image field is missing.
Exactly one image field is required for certain template types, such as a Meta, display, or banner ad. Add the required image field to your template.
Invalid single group
The email template contains exactly one group, which is invalid.
A basic email template contains a single set of template elements, which do not require the group naming convention as defined in Sections or groups. Adjust your template to have zero sections by removing any group naming syntax.
No fields
The template does not contain any fields.
Add recognized field names using the Handlebars syntax to your template where you need GenStudio for Performance Marketing to generate a certain type of content.
Required properties missing
Some required metadata properties are missing.
Each template type has requirements and constraints based on the channel guidelines. For example, Meta requires an aspect ratio, and display ads require dimensions. Follow channel-specific template guidelines.
Reserved name used
A prohibited or reserved field name is being used.
Certain field names, such as subject or introductory_text, are reserved. Rename fields that use reserved or prohibited names.
Too many fields
The number of fields exceeds the global limit of 20.
Remove unnecessary fields to ensure that the total does not exceed 20.
Too many groups
The number of groups exceeds the channel’s allowed maximum.
Meta, display, and LinkedIn templates do not allow multiple sections. Email requires group naming when defining two or three sections. Reduce the number of groups in your template to meet the channel’s requirements.
Unsupported field
The template is using a field that the channel does not support.
Replace or remove unsupported fields according to the recognized field names.
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