1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:05,079 If you answer the same question each week, rewriting the whole reply wastes time. 2 00:00:05,079 --> 00:00:07,935 A Gmail template can preserve the stable wording. 3 00:00:07,935 --> 00:00:12,577 But a saved greeting or link can be wrong for the next person. 4 00:00:12,577 --> 00:00:16,505 In this fictional exercise, we will save a practice guide reply, 5 00:00:16,505 --> 00:00:20,433 insert it into a new unsent draft, and replace two obvious 6 00:00:20,433 --> 00:00:22,218 placeholders before anyone receives it. 7 00:00:22,818 --> 00:00:26,799 Google says Gmail message templates can only be turned on and 8 00:00:26,799 --> 00:00:28,246 used on a computer. 9 00:00:28,246 --> 00:00:30,418 Open Settings, then See all settings. 10 00:00:30,418 --> 00:00:33,675 On the Advanced tab, enable Templates and save changes. 11 00:00:33,675 --> 00:00:37,655 If the feature is already enabled, leave it as it is. 12 00:00:37,655 --> 00:00:43,807 We will use Gmail's built-in Templates menu, not an add-on, filter, or automatic reply. 13 00:00:44,407 --> 00:00:49,664 Open Compose and copy the short practice text from the guide into the body. 14 00:00:49,664 --> 00:00:54,545 It begins Hi double-bracket first name, and contains double-bracket guide link. 15 00:00:54,545 --> 00:00:57,924 Those markers are intentional reminders to personalize the message. 16 00:00:57,924 --> 00:01:02,054 The text mentions a fictional workshop practice exercise and asks for 17 00:01:02,054 --> 00:01:05,058 a step number if the reader gets stuck. 18 00:01:05,058 --> 00:01:08,061 Leave the recipient empty while creating the template. 19 00:01:08,661 --> 00:01:13,053 In the compose window, choose More options, then Templates, Save draft 20 00:01:13,053 --> 00:01:15,848 as template, and Save as new template. 21 00:01:15,848 --> 00:01:17,844 Name it Practice guide reply. 22 00:01:17,844 --> 00:01:21,837 Google's help distinguishes this from Overwrite Template, which would 23 00:01:21,837 --> 00:01:23,833 replace an existing saved item. 24 00:01:23,833 --> 00:01:28,225 Before saving, inspect the body again so you do not accidentally 25 00:01:28,225 --> 00:01:31,818 store an old recipient-specific name or confidential detail. 26 00:01:32,418 --> 00:01:34,285 Start a fresh Compose draft. 27 00:01:34,285 --> 00:01:38,768 Open More options, Templates, then choose Practice guide reply under Insert template. 28 00:01:38,768 --> 00:01:42,503 Check that the body appears with both double-bracket markers. 29 00:01:42,503 --> 00:01:46,611 This is the crucial functional check: a named item in the 30 00:01:46,611 --> 00:01:49,973 menu does not prove the intended copy was saved. 31 00:01:49,973 --> 00:01:55,202 The guide shows the exact greeting, two body paragraphs, and sign-off to compare. 32 00:01:55,802 --> 00:01:59,826 For this unsent practice draft, change double-bracket first name to 33 00:01:59,826 --> 00:02:04,217 Casey and double-bracket guide link to the fictional practice URL shown 34 00:02:04,217 --> 00:02:05,680 in the answer check. 35 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:08,607 Search the body for another opening double bracket. 36 00:02:08,607 --> 00:02:11,534 If one remains, the reply is not ready. 37 00:02:11,534 --> 00:02:15,558 Check the recipient and subject separately; templates do not remove your 38 00:02:15,558 --> 00:02:18,119 responsibility to review a message before sending. 39 00:02:18,119 --> 00:02:20,314 Do not send this practice draft. 40 00:02:20,914 --> 00:02:26,042 The answer check includes the completed practice body and a pre-send checklist. 41 00:02:26,042 --> 00:02:29,987 In Gmail, confirm the template was inserted, both placeholders were 42 00:02:29,987 --> 00:02:33,143 replaced, and the exercise draft has no recipient. 43 00:02:33,143 --> 00:02:37,088 If Templates is missing, revisit Advanced settings on a computer. 44 00:02:37,088 --> 00:02:40,244 We tested a fictional template and unsent draft. 45 00:02:40,244 --> 00:02:44,978 These panels are illustrations because the account interface was not in English.