Flow Builder: Add a WhatsApp template
What is a WhatsApp template?
The Template node sends a WhatsApp template that Meta has already approved. The wording, language, and buttons come from that template. In Flow Builder you choose the template and fill in the parts that change, such as variables and header media.
Before you start
Create the template in Meta and wait until it is approved. Approved templates then appear in Flow Builder. If a template is missing, the panel says No templates available and offers Go to WhatsApp Manager. If you are building a campaign, you can choose Go to Campaigns and add the template later.
How to edit a WhatsApp template
Drag Template from the build panel. The edit panel title is WhatsApp Template. You can set:
- Content ID.
- Template. Open the list and use Search. Only templates for the language you are editing are listed.
After you select a template:
- Header, Body, and Footer show the approved text. You cannot rewrite them here.
- Fill each variable placeholder. You can insert flow variables.
- If the header is an image, upload a JPEG or PNG. If it is a video, upload an MP4.
- Buttons from the template are shown as they were approved. A URL button with a variable asks you to fill that variable. A phone button shows Button Phone Number. A quick reply shows Button Quick Reply.
- A flow button shows Button Flow, Approved flow ID, Approved flow action, and Approved screen when Meta sent them. Choose the Flow token from your bot payloads. If flow buttons are unavailable, the banner says Bot code is out of date: To use WhatsApp templates with Flow buttons, update the bot to version 0.53.0 or greater.
Languages
WhatsApp templates are one language each. When you pick a template for one language, Flow Builder applies the matching template to the other languages in the flow, as long as the template name is the same and Meta has approved that language.
If a language is missing, the panel says Template version missing in Meta. Create and approve that language in Meta Business Suite before you use it in this flow.
Best practices
- Use the same template name in every language you need.
- Fill every variable before you publish.
- Check the template in the language the customer will receive.