---
title: "Email templates: First time use - migrate from legacy email templates"
url: "https://support.acendy.com/en/article/e2a2d64f-4405-4265-8fdd-9b347069039a"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2026-05-29T11:41:37.072Z"
---

# Email templates: First time use - migrate from legacy email templates

## Opening the new editor for the first time (migrating from the old editor)

Some templates were originally created in the previous plain-HTML editor. When you open one of these templates in the new visual editor for the first time, you will see a **transition dialog** asking you to confirm the switch.

### What happens when you confirm

-   Your original template HTML is **backed up automatically** — you won't lose it.
-   The editor loads your template so you can start building visually.
-   Your changes are saved as a **draft** and the original version keeps running until you publish.

### Your customers are not affected until you publish

This is the key point: **drafts have no effect on outgoing emails.**

Here is the full picture of what customers receive at each stage:

| Stage | What you've done | What customers receive |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Opened template for the first time | Transition dialog confirmed | **Original template**<br>— unchanged |
| Edited and saved as draft | Clicked **Save** | **Original template**<br>— still unchanged |
| Published | Clicked **Publish** | **Your new template**<br>— live immediately |

In other words, you can take as long as you need to design and refine your new template. Every time you click **Save** you are saving a draft only visible to you in the editor. The moment you click **Publish**, the new version is rendered to HTML and sent to customers from that point forward.

### Your original template is preserved

The original HTML content is kept as a backup in the system. It is not deleted when you publish. However, there is currently no one-click "revert to original" button in the editor UI — so take care before publishing a template you are not happy with. Use **Send test** to review the email in a real inbox first.

> **Tip:** If you are unsure about changes, keep the template in **draft** state indefinitely. Your customers will continue receiving the previous version while you work on improvements.