DocumentationJourney OptimizerJourney Optimizer Guide

Edit email templates with the advanced HTML editor email-template-expert-mode

Last update: Tue Mar 10 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

CREATED FOR:

  • Experienced
  • User
AVAILABILITY
This capability is available in Limited Availability. Contact your Adobe representative to gain access.

The advanced HTML editor is an expert mode that lets you view and edit the raw source code of email content templates directly from the Journey Optimizer Email Designer interface.

This capability lets you insert advanced expressions—such as conditions—directly in the source. When you switch back to the visual (Desktop) view, the content is re-rendered so you can check how it looks and continue editing in either view.

NOTE
This feature is only available in content templates and for the Email channel.

Guardrails guardrails

When you use the advanced HTML editor, the following guardrails protect content compatibility and set expectations.

  • The advanced HTML editor does not validate your code. It does not check syntax errors or broken layouts. Review your content carefully before saving.

  • Future system updates may overwrite changes you make to default markup. Your changes may not persist.

  • The Adobe support team cannot troubleshoot or resolve issues caused by custom code and manual changes. Keep a backup of your content in case you need to revert.

  • You cannot simulate content in advanced HTML view. Switch to Desktop view to preview your content.

  • To ensure content compatibility, you cannot save in advanced HTML view. Switch back to Desktop view when you are ready to save your changes.

WARNING
The advanced HTML editor in the content template is not the same as Code your own mode in the Email Designer. In Code your own mode, you cannot switch back to the visual editor—once you choose that path, you stay in code-only editing. The advanced HTML editor, by contrast, lets you toggle between HTML view and Desktop (visual) view at any time. Learn more about the code editor

Switch to advanced HTML view switch-to-html-view

To open the advanced HTML editor and edit your template source, follow these steps.

  1. Open or create an email template and open the Email Designer to edit the content.

  2. Click the HTML button in the top-right corner of the screen.

    Location of the HTML button in the Email Designer toolbar

  3. The first time you open the advanced HTML editor, a warning message is displayed. Review it carefully and click OK to continue. Learn more

    Warning dialog when opening the advanced HTML editor for the first time {modal="regular"}

    note note
    NOTE
    This warning appears only the first time you open the advanced HTML editor and resets each month.

  4. The advanced HTML editor displays.

    Advanced HTML editor interface showing email template source code

  5. Add the desired changes to your email content.

    note warning
    WARNING
    Make sure to enter correct HTML and CSS code as there is no syntax validation process and no support is provided by Adobe. Learn more

  6. Content simulation and saving are not available in advanced HTML view for compatibility reasons. Switch back to Desktop view to preview your content and save your changes.

    Switch back to Desktop view to save your changes {modal="regular"}

    note note
    NOTE
    Your edits are preserved when you switch views.
recommendation-more-help
b22c9c5d-9208-48f4-b874-1cefb8df4d76