Carousel Templates

Carousel templates let you send one WhatsApp message with a set of horizontally scrollable cards. Each card has its own image or video, optional text, and one or two buttons. Use carousels to showcase several products, offers, or resources in a single conversation.

As with every WhatsApp template, Meta must approve a carousel template before you can use it in campaigns and in the Contact Center.

Step 1: Open WhatsApp Templates

1. In the left-hand menu of the console, click Utilities.

2. Select the Chat tab.

3. Click the WhatsApp templates card to create WhatsApp templates to use in chat campaigns and Contact Center.

   The WhatsApp Templates page lists all the templates in your project, with the following columns:

   Field	Description
   Name	The template's identifier.
   Use	The type of use assigned to the template (Marketing or Utility).
   Type	Single message, Multimedia, or Carousel.
   Language	The template's content language (for example, es_ES, en_US).
   Meta review status	The current review status (for example, Approved or In review).
   At the top of the list you can search templates by name or filter them with the dropdown. The ⋮ menu on each row gives access to more actions for that template.

4. Click + Create new template.

Step 2: Complete the General section

The New WhatsApp template screen is split in two. The form is on the left and a live Preview of the message, as it will look in WhatsApp, is on the right. The preview updates as you fill in each field.

Step 3: Select the Carousel structure

Under Structure > Template type, choose Carousel.

The Content section switches to tabs:

• Message: the main message shown above the cards.
• T1, T2…: one tab per card. A new carousel starts with two cards (T1 and T2).
• ⊕: adds another card.

Step 4: Write the main message

On the Message tab, write the text that appears above the carousel in the Main message field (up to 1,024 characters).

Formatting options

Use the toolbar below the text box to:

• Insert an emoji.
• Apply bold, italic, or strikethrough. The formatting is added to the text with WhatsApp syntax (for example, text for bold) and shows formatted in the preview.
• Add variable: inserts a numbered placeholder such as {{1}} or {{2}} to personalize the message for each contact.

Variables and sample values

For every variable you add, a field appears asking for a sample value. Meta needs these samples to review the template.

For Meta review, you must include examples of the variables. Do not include real contact information in this example.

Step 5: Set up each card

Open the tab for each card (T1, T2, and so on) to set up its content. You can also move between cards with the ‹ › arrows at the top right of the card panel.

Card header (Required)

Choose the media type for the card:

• Image
• Video

Click Select image or Select video and choose a file from your computer. Once the file uploads, the console shows a thumbnail, the file name, and a "File selected" confirmation, and the card appears in the preview. To replace the file, remove it with the × next to the file name and select a new one.

Card text (Optional)

A short text shown under the card's media (up to 160 characters). It has the same toolbar as the main message: emoji, bold, italic, strikethrough, and Add variable.

Card buttons (Required)

Each card needs at least 1 and at most 2 buttons. Click + Add button and set up:

Action: what happens when the contact taps the button.

The Copy offer code option appears in the list but is greyed out and can't be selected for carousel cards.

• Button text: the label shown on the button (up to 40 characters), for example Explore guides, View API docs, or Search the docs.
• URL type (only for Go to website):
  • Static: a fixed URL that is the same for every contact. Maximum 2,000 characters.
  • Dynamic: a base URL followed by a {{1}} variable, so each contact can get a personalized link. Enter the base URL (for example https://documentation.indigitall.com/) and then a sample URL that includes the variable, as Meta requires for review. Do not include real contact data in the sample.

Managing buttons

When a card has two buttons, use the ↑ ↓ arrows on each button to change their order, and the trash icon to delete one.

Step 6: Add or remove cards

• Click ⊕ next to the card tabs to add a card (T3, T4…). Set it up the same way as the others.
• To remove an added card, open its tab and click the trash icon at the top right of the card panel.

Scroll through the Preview horizontally to check every card, including its media, text, and buttons, before you submit.

Step 7: Send the template for review

1. Check the whole template in the preview.
2. Click Send for review in the top-right corner.

If a field has an error, the console shows a message at the bottom of the screen, for example "Name can only contain lowercase letters, numbers and underscores." Fix the field and click Send for review again.

When the template is submitted, you return to the WhatsApp Templates list and a "Template created successfully" confirmation appears. The new template is listed with:

• Type: Carousel
• Use: Marketing
• Meta review status: In review

Once Meta approves it, the status changes to Approved and you can use the template in chat campaigns and in the Contact Center.

Field limits at a glance

Best practices

• Name templates clearly so they are easy to find later, for example docs_carousel_en.
• Use images with the same dimensions on all cards so the carousel looks consistent.
• Tailor each button to its card and link to the specific page the card talks about, instead of sending every button to the same page.
• Use realistic sample values for variables and dynamic URLs, without real personal data, to avoid rejections during Meta review.