Email Preview Text in Mail Designer 365
Email preview text is the short snippet many inboxes display beside or below the subject line. It gives recipients extra context before they open the message. In Mail Designer 365, the Inbox Preview lets you edit the subject and preview text together and compare their appearance on different device previews.
Use the preview text to add useful information rather than repeat the subject line. Keep every promise accurate and consistent with the email content.
Open the Inbox Preview
- Finish the main newsletter content and check its links and images.
- Click the Inbox Preview icon on the left side.
- Use the window that opens to edit the subject line and preview text.
- Review the phone and smartwatch previews.
- Adjust the wording when important information is cut off or repeated.
Coordinate Preview Text and Subject Line
Read the subject and preview text as one combined inbox message. The subject should communicate the main reason to open the email. The preview text can add a supporting detail, deadline, audience cue, or next step.
Avoid copying the subject verbatim. Repetition uses limited inbox space without giving the recipient more information. Also avoid placing unrelated promotional language in the preview text when the email serves a support, confirmation, or account purpose.
Write Useful Email Preview Text
- Lead with the detail that matters most after the subject.
- Use natural language that matches the sender and campaign.
- Keep names, dates, prices, and availability accurate.
- Avoid unnecessary capitalization and excessive punctuation.
- Do not rely on a fixed visible length across every inbox.
Different inboxes and screen sizes can display different amounts of text. Put essential wording near the beginning, then use the device previews to identify obvious truncation problems.
Use the Phone and Smartwatch Previews
Compare the available previews after entering the final subject and snippet. A phrase that looks complete on a wider inbox can be shortened on a smaller display. Check whether the visible opening still makes sense when the remaining words are hidden.
The preview is a planning aid, not a guarantee that every recipient will see identical spacing or length. Send a real test message to representative inboxes before the campaign.
Avoid Unwanted Preview Content
When an email has no deliberate preview text, an inbox may use other early message content. This can expose navigation wording, image alternative text, or utility copy instead of the intended campaign context. Add a purposeful snippet and inspect a received test to confirm the result.
Test the Inbox Preview Before Sending
- Review the subject and preview text for accuracy.
- Check phone and smartwatch views in Mail Designer 365.
- Send the message to test inboxes.
- Inspect the inbox list before opening the email.
- Confirm that the subject, sender, and snippet work together.
Repeat the test after changing either the subject or preview text. A strong pair should set the correct expectation without hiding the email's actual purpose.
Troubleshoot Email Preview Text
The Preview Text Is Cut Off
Move the most important detail earlier and remove repeated words. Do not try to force every inbox to display the same number of characters.
The Inbox Shows Different Copy
Confirm that the intended preview text was saved, then send a fresh test. Check the beginning of the email for other text that an inbox might choose as a snippet.
The Subject and Preview Repeat Each Other
Keep the stronger phrase in the subject and use the preview text for a supporting detail. Review both fields together in the Inbox Preview.
Email Preview Text Checklist
- The subject states the main message.
- The preview text adds new, accurate context.
- Important wording appears near the beginning.
- Phone and smartwatch previews were checked.
- A received test displays an appropriate inbox snippet.
For related campaign instructions, browse the Mail Designer 365 Knowledge Base.