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How to Preview a Notification Using Test Events

Step-by-step guide to defining your test events and using the preview function across multiple channels.

The Courier Notification Designer allows you to preview branding, content, test variables or Handlebars code in each channel and send test emails.

How to Preview Your Notification

To preview a Notification, open it in the Notifications tab of the designer and select Preview.

Notification Preview

Test Event Required

When you initially open the preview tab on the demo Welcome to Courier email, there will be a generic "Welcome Example" event with an empty profile.

This is why any variables you insert into the Example template will not work until you add your own custom Test Event or update the JSON of the Welcome Example.

New Test Event
info

In order to send an email notification or SMS via the Send Tab, you will need to include an email and/or phone # in the profile object of the test event Json.

Your Test Event Needs a Complete Profile

Previewing Variables

To preview and validate any variables you've built into the Notification, you need to create a Test Event.

  • Click Manage Test Events in the Preview.
  • Add valid JSON with values in the data and/or profile objects for your variables.

Read More: JSON Paths and Using Substitution Variables in your Notifications.

Test Event Variables
Test Event Variables

Creating a Test Event From the Data Log

When you send an event to Courier, that event can be viewed in the Data Log. You can turn those events from the data into a test event - it will be located in the preview tab of the event it is mapped to. Open "Event Received" in the Timeline and click "Save as Test Event."

Create a Test Event From the Logs

Email Preview

Email is the only channel that will show a fully rendered image as it will appear to the recipient in the preview. In other channels the preview only allows you to validate the variables.

email preview gif

Preview Your Emails Before Sending

Plain Text Preview

The Plain Text Preview toggle lets you switch your Email preview between HTML and plain text versions.

Plain Text Preview Toggle
Plain Text Preview

SMS Preview

sms preview gif

Preview Your SMS Before Sending

Other Email Preview Options

Sending a Test Email

When previewing an Email Notification, you can send a test email by selecting yourself or other members of your Tenant to receive it.

Send a Test Email

Preview Emails Across Multiple Brands

When previewing an Email, if you have created multiple Brand Templates, you can switch between them. If you haven't, then the Email preview will use your Default Brand design.

Select a Brand to Preview

brand preview gif

Preview Your Email With Your Branding
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