> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.practicemate.com.au/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Templates overview

> Learn what PracticeMate Templates are and when to use Email and SMS Templates.

A **Template** is reusable Communication content.

Templates are the messages your practice sends to patients. A Template can be an **Email Template** with a subject, preview text, images, buttons, and longer copy, or an **SMS Template** for a short message that is easy to read on a phone.

Use Templates when your practice wants to send consistent, carefully reviewed wording for things like:

* birthday greetings
* flu vaccination reminders
* appointment preparation
* recall or review invitations
* health check follow-ups
* practice updates

## How Templates fit together

Most patient Communication workflows have three simple parts.

**Recipe**: who should receive the Communication.

**Template**: what the Communication says.

**Broadcast or Automation**: when and how PracticeMate sends it.

For example:

* A Recipe finds active patients who may be due for a flu vaccination.
* An SMS Template explains the flu vaccination reminder in plain language.
* A Broadcast sends that SMS Template to the selected Patient Cohort.

## Open Templates

In the sidebar, under **Comms**, select **Templates**.

From here, you can search existing Templates, filter by Email or SMS, open a Template to edit it, or create a new Template.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/practicemate-6786ac90/dQtY-qC7GbSk035n/images/templates/templates-gallery.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=dQtY-qC7GbSk035n&q=85&s=84919b1f945379f6afc3e9b998a3fd24" alt="The Templates page showing New Email Template and New SMS Template buttons, filters, and existing Email and SMS Templates." className="rounded-lg border" width="1135" height="998" data-path="images/templates/templates-gallery.jpg" />

## Email or SMS?

Choose **Email** when the message needs more space, visual structure, links, images, or a warmer letter-style format.

Choose **SMS** when the message should be short, timely, and easy to read at a glance.

Both Email and SMS Templates can include **Template Variables**. These are placeholders such as **Patient.FirstName** or **Practice.Name** that PracticeMate fills when the Communication is sent.

<Tip>
  A good Template sounds like it came from your practice, not from software.
  Keep the language clear, kind, and specific to the action you want the patient
  to take.
</Tip>

## Version history

Every time you save a Template, PracticeMate keeps that saved version. This gives your team a simple way to look back at earlier wording and restore it if needed.

Open **Templates**, then select the **...** menu on a Template card and choose **Version history**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/practicemate-6786ac90/dQtY-qC7GbSk035n/images/templates/template-version-history-menu.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=dQtY-qC7GbSk035n&q=85&s=7bdb45baa43cc75621d234ccbbcae300" alt="The Templates page with a Template card action menu open and Version history available." className="rounded-lg border" width="429" height="323" data-path="images/templates/template-version-history-menu.jpg" />

From there, you can:

* browse earlier saved versions
* see which version is current
* preview older Email or SMS wording
* restore an older version when your practice wants to go back to it

Older versions remain available for 365 days.

<Info>
  Broadcasts and Automations use the Template version selected at the time they
  are set up. This means later edits to the Template do not quietly change
  Communication work your team has already prepared.
</Info>

## Template Variables

Template Variables let one Template work for many patients.

For example, instead of writing:

> Dear John,

you can insert **Patient.FirstName**. When the Communication is sent, PracticeMate fills in the patient's first name from Practice Data.

Common Template Variables include:

* **Patient.FirstName**
* **Patient.PreferredName**
* **Patient.LastName**
* **Patient.FullName**
* **Patient.Email**
* **Patient.DateOfBirth**
* **Practice.Name**

## A reliable way to build

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start with the channel">
    Decide whether the message should be an Email or an SMS before you write the
    copy.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write the message in plain language">
    Use wording your reception team or clinical team would be comfortable
    sending.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Template Variables only where they help">
    Patient names and your Practice name are useful. Avoid making the message
    feel overly personalised if the wording does not need it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview or review the message">
    Email Templates have a Preview button. SMS Templates show a live phone
    preview beside the editor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send a test">
    Use **Test** to send a copy to yourself or another team member before using
    the Template with patients.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save with a clear name">
    Use names like **Birthday Email** or **Flu Vax Reminder SMS**, so the
    Template is easy to find later.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use Version history when wording changes">
    If the Template changes over time, Version history gives your team a saved
    point to review or restore.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Tests use Credits: 1 Credit for Email, and 10 Credits per SMS segment.

## Next

Start with [Create your first Email Template](/templates/first-email-template), then build [your first SMS Template](/templates/first-sms-template). Use [Components](/components/overview) when your practice wants reusable Email blocks, and use the [Template editor reference](/templates/editor-reference) when you want a complete guide to the controls in both editors.