Content components let you create reusable blocks (headers, footers, disclaimers, and signature lines) that you can insert into any message template, email, or portal page to keep your agency's communications consistent.

### Overview

Components in eCourtDate are reusable content snippets that you create once and insert wherever they are needed. Instead of copying and pasting the same disclaimer, signature block, or header across dozens of templates, you build it as a component and reference it in your messages. When you update a component, the change is reflected everywhere it is used. This saves time, reduces errors, and ensures every communication from your agency maintains a consistent look and tone.

- Components can hold any type of reusable content: headers, footers, legal disclaimers, office contact blocks, signature lines, branding elements, and custom snippets.
- They can be inserted into auto message templates, flow messages, email templates, and portal pages.
- Updating a component in one place propagates the change to all templates that reference it.
- Components are organized by type, making them easy to browse and select when building templates.
- They support merge tags, so your reusable blocks can include dynamic data like agency name, phone number, or business hours.

### Prerequisites

Before creating content components, make sure you have:

- An active eCourtDate agency on staging or production
- Super admin role or the **Create Auto Messages** and **Update Auto Messages** permissions
- A list of content blocks your agency reuses across multiple messages (for example, a standard email footer, a legal disclaimer, or an office contact section)
- Familiarity with merge tags if you plan to include dynamic data in your components

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Navigate to Components

1. Click **Admin** in the top navigation bar.
2. Select **Messaging** from the dropdown menu.
3. Click on the **Components** tab.
4. You will see a list of existing components (if any) and a form to create new ones.

#### Step 2: Create a New Component

1. In the left column, locate the **Create Component** form.
2. Enter a descriptive name for the component. Use a name that clearly identifies what the component contains and where it is used. For example:
   - "Email Footer - Court Contact Information"
   - "SMS Disclaimer - Opt Out Instructions"
   - "Email Header - Agency Branding"
   - "Signature Block - Probation Department"
3. Select the **Component Type** from the dropdown to categorize it (for example, Header, Footer, Disclaimer, or Signature).
4. Click the **Create** button.
5. You will be redirected to the component editor.

#### Step 3: Write the Component Content

1. In the content editor, enter the text for your component.
2. Use merge tags to include dynamic data. Common merge tags for components include:
   - `[AgencyName]` for your agency's name
   - `[AgencyPhone]` for your main phone number
   - `[AgencyEmail]` for your main email address
   - `[AgencyWebsite]` for your agency's website URL
   - `[BusinessHours]` for your office hours
3. Format the content as needed for the channels where it will be used. Keep SMS components short and email components more detailed.
4. Click **Save** to store the component.

Here are examples of common components for government agencies:

**Email Footer Example:**

```
[AgencyName]
Phone: [AgencyPhone] | Email: [AgencyEmail]
Office Hours: [BusinessHours]
Visit us online: [AgencyWebsite]
This message is from [AgencyName]. If you received this in error, please disregard.
```

**SMS Opt-Out Disclaimer Example:**

```
Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Msg & data rates may apply. Contact [AgencyPhone] for help.
```

**Signature Block Example:**

```
[AgencyName] - [AgencyAddress]
For questions, contact us at [AgencyPhone] or [AgencyEmail].
```

#### Step 4: Insert a Component into a Message Template

1. Navigate to the message template where you want to use the component. Go to **Admin** > **Messaging** and click **Edit** on the template.
2. In the message editor, place your cursor where you want to insert the component.
3. Click the **Insert Component** button (or look for a components dropdown/menu in the editor toolbar).
4. Browse or search for the component by name or type.
5. Select the component to insert it into the message.
6. The component's content appears in the message body at your cursor position.
7. Click **Save** on the template to preserve the change.

#### Step 5: Insert a Component into a Portal Page

1. Navigate to **Admin** > **Portals**.
2. Click **Edit** on the portal where you want to add a component.
3. In the portal content editor, place your cursor at the desired location.
4. Use the **Insert Component** option to browse and select a component.
5. The component content is inserted into the portal page.
6. Click **Save** to apply the change.

#### Step 6: Update an Existing Component

1. Go to **Admin** > **Messaging** > **Components**.
2. Click **Edit** next to the component you want to update.
3. Modify the content as needed.
4. Click **Save**.
5. The updated content is reflected in all templates and pages that reference this component the next time a message is generated or a page is rendered.

### What to Expect

After creating a component, it becomes available for insertion into any message template, flow message, or portal page in your agency. When a message is sent or a portal page is loaded, the component's content is rendered inline with the rest of the template, and any merge tags within the component are resolved with the appropriate data. Updating a component is a single edit that cascades across all references, so your agency's messaging stays consistent without touching each template individually.

### Best Practices

- **Create components for any content that appears in more than one template.** If you find yourself copying the same text into multiple templates, that text should be a component.
- **Use clear, descriptive names.** Staff should be able to identify what a component contains from its name alone. Include the type and purpose, such as "Footer - Municipal Court Contact" or "Disclaimer - SMS Opt Out."
- **Keep SMS components concise.** Text message character limits are tight. Components used in SMS templates should be as short as possible while including all required information.
- **Include merge tags for dynamic agency data.** Using `[AgencyName]` and `[AgencyPhone]` instead of hard-coded values means your components automatically update if your agency's contact information changes in **Admin** > **Settings**.
- **Audit components periodically.** Review your components quarterly to ensure contact information, legal language, and branding are current. A single outdated component can affect dozens of templates.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: If I update a component, do all existing templates using it automatically get the new content?**
A: Yes. When a message is generated or a portal page is rendered, the system pulls the current version of the component. Any updates you make to a component are reflected in future messages and page loads without editing each template individually.

**Q: Can I use merge tags inside a component?**
A: Yes. Components fully support merge tags. When the component is rendered as part of a message, the merge tags are resolved with the appropriate client, event, case, or agency data, just like merge tags in the main template body.

**Q: Is there a limit to how many components I can create?**
A: There is no hard limit on the number of components. However, keeping your component library organized with clear names and types makes it easier for staff to find and use the right component.

**Q: Can I use the same component in both SMS and email templates?**
A: You can, but the content should be appropriate for both channels. Email components can be longer and more detailed, while SMS components need to be concise. Consider creating separate versions for different channels (for example, "Footer - Email" and "Footer - SMS").

**Q: What happens if I delete a component that is referenced in a template?**
A: If a component is deleted, templates that reference it will no longer include that content. Before deleting a component, review which templates use it and update those templates to remove the reference or replace it with a different component.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** A component's content does not appear in the sent message.
**Symptoms:** You inserted a component into a template, but the sent message does not include the component's text.
**Solution:**

1. Open the template and verify that the component reference is still present in the message body.
2. Check that the component has not been deleted. Go to **Admin** > **Messaging** > **Components** and search for it.
3. Verify that the component has content saved. Open the component editor and confirm the content field is populated.
4. If the component uses merge tags, confirm those tags resolve correctly by previewing the template with a client record.

**Issue:** Component content appears duplicated in a message.
**Symptoms:** The same footer or disclaimer appears twice in a sent message.
**Solution:**

1. Open the template and check whether the component was inserted more than once.
2. Look for cases where the component content was also manually typed into the template in addition to being inserted as a component reference.
3. Remove the duplicate and click **Save**.
4. Preview the template to confirm the issue is resolved.

### Related Articles

- [How to Set Up Message Templates](/how-to-set-up-message-templates)
- [How to Create Web Portals](/how-to-create-web-portals)
- [How to Create an Auto Message](/how-to-create-an-auto-message)
- [How to Use Merge Tags](/how-to-use-merge-tags)