A newer, feature-rich email-writing experience
To offer a more unified experience across the ConvertKit platform, we've worked hard to develop a new email editor that builds on the success of our older legacy editor while adding new, crucial features.
This new editor will be available everywhere you write emails, from broadcasts to sequences and incentive emails.
We understand that changing the way you write your emails can be difficult. Sunsetting the legacy editor was not a decision we made lightly, but we're confident that the continuous improvements we make to the new editor will provide you and thousands of other creators with the best writing experience possible.
This guide will help you understand the differences between the new and legacy email editors, and how to get the most out of the new editor:
We believe that after writing a few emails in the new editor, you will agree it's a big upgrade!
The toolbar at the top of the email editor has been revamped
For a smoother writing experience, we've rearranged and streamlined the options in the new editor's toolbar.
Here's how they compare with the options in the legacy editor's toolbar:
Toolbar option in the legacy editor | Toolbar option in the new editor | Notes on what has changed in the new editor's toolbar |
(the Formatting option appears later in the legacy editor's toolbar) | Formatting |
|
Bold | Bold |
|
Italics | Italics |
|
(not available) | Underline | Instead of using a keyboard shortcut, you can now underline text by clicking the Underline icon in the email editor's toolbar. |
Strikethrough (also known as "Deleted") | Strikethrough |
|
Unordered List | (merged >>) | The Unordered List option has been merged into the Formatting option of the new editor's toolbar. |
Ordered List | (merged >>) | The Ordered List option has been merged into the Formatting option of the new editor's toolbar. |
Outdent | (merged >>) | There is no longer an Outdent toolbar option. You can still outdent text by adding custom CSS via an HTML Block. |
Indent | (removed) | There is no longer an Indent toolbar option. You can still indent text by adding custom CSS via an HTML Block. |
Insert Image | (use the content block menu) | Inserting images is now done using the content block menu. |
Insert File | (use the content block menu) | Inserting files is now done using the content block menu. |
Link | (the Link option appears later in the new editor's toolbar) |
|
(the Left-Align setting is part of the Alignment option in the legacy editor's toolbar) | Left-Align |
|
(the Center-Align setting is part of the Alignment option in the legacy editor's toolbar) | Center-Align |
|
(the Right-Align setting is part of the Alignment option in the legacy editor's toolbar) | Right-Align |
|
(the Justify setting is part of the Alignment option in the legacy editor's toolbar) | Justify |
|
Alignment | (the legacy editor's Alignment toolbar option has been split into separate toolbar options in the new editor) | There is no longer an alignment setting for inheriting alignment. You can still do so by adding custom CSS via an HTML Block. |
Insert Horizontal Rule | (use the content block menu) | Inserting a horizontal rule is now done by using the content block menu to add a divider. |
Formatting | (the Formatting option appears earlier in the new editor's toolbar) |
|
HTML | (removed) | It is no longer possible to view the HTML code for the whole email. Learn how to transfer your emails' HTML code from the legacy editor to the new editor here. |
Font Size | Font Size |
|
Font Color | Font Color |
|
(not available) |  Highlight |
|
(the Link option appears earlier in the legacy editor's toolbar) | Link |
|
Personalize | Personalize |
|
Viewing the HTML code for the whole email is no longer possible
While the legacy editor's toolbar has an option for viewing an email's full HTML code, this option is not available in the new editor.
Although we understand some creators may miss this feature, we decided to remove it to ensure a more stable and reliable email creation process for everyone. That's because the ability to view and edit an email's full HTML code tended to cause technical difficulties and increase the risk of the email template breaking.
If you've relied on the ability to view and edit the full HTML code of your emails, we want to make the switch to the new editor as easy as possible for you.
We've created a video demonstrating how you can transfer your emails' HTML code from the legacy editor to the new one using an HTML Block:
HTML Blocks let you add snippets of custom HTML or CSS to your emails. You can learn more about adding HTML Blocks to your emails here.
You can now change your overall email styles directly from the email editor
Previously, if you wanted to change your email's look, you had to edit its email template using the separate visual email template editor, then come back to your email.
But if you're using one of our newer starting point email templates, you can now customize your email's overall styles—such as your heading and body text styles—using the settings in the right sidebar.
NOTE: The look of classic email templates cannot be customized from the new email editor. You'd need to customize your classic template in the visual email template editor instead.
Apart from customizing your overall email styles, you can also use the toolbar options to change the styles (e.g. color and font size) for just certain highlighted portions of text.
There is a new content block menu for adding media to your emails
When you click any part of your email, a + icon will appear on the left of the editor.
Clicking the + icon will launch a content block menu with options for adding images, files, and dividers below the part of the email you've clicked. (These options were previously found in the legacy editor's toolbar.)
The content block menu also lets you add other types of media not available in the legacy editor, such as image galleries, layouts, and social icons.
Adding images to your emails is now easier
When you insert an image into your email in the new editor, you'll now have options for inserting:
Images you've previously uploaded to ConvertKit
Images from the Unsplash stock photo library
Images you've posted to your Instagram account
The image settings will also appear in the right sidebar of the email editor (instead of popping up when you click the image, which is the case in the legacy editor).
You'll customize your links using the toolbar instead of a pop-up window
If you've inserted a link into your email, you'll use the Link option in the new editor's toolbar to add link triggers or tag subscribers who click the link.
Also, unlike the legacy editor's link settings, there is no longer an option to have links open in a new tab. That's because all links in your emails will now open in a new tab by default.
A new email-writing experience awaits
We hope this guide has provided a good picture of what you can expect when you switch to the new email editor. You can learn more about the new editor's features by checking out the article linked below.
That said, the best way to understand the differences between the new and legacy editors is to see them in action for yourself.
We can't wait for you to try the new editor and discover how it can help you write more impactful emails!