How to create canned responses in Gmail

Gmail calls canned responses Templates. They let you save frequently used email text and insert it again later.

Gmail Templates are available when using Gmail on a computer. They are not available in the Gmail mobile app.

Enable Templates in Gmail

1. Open Gmail on your computer.
2. Select the Settings icon.
3. Select See all settings.
4. Open the Advanced tab.
5. Find Templates and select Enable.
6. Select Save Changes.

Create a new Gmail template

1. Select Compose.
2. Write the message you want to save.
3. Select the three-dot More options menu at the bottom of the compose window.
4. Select Templates.
5. Select Save draft as template.
6. Select Save as new template.
7. Give your template a name.

Your template is now ready for its next appearance.

Insert a saved template

1. Open a new message or reply.
2. Select the three-dot More options menu.
3. Select Templates.
4. Choose the template you want to insert.

Update an existing template

1. Insert the existing template into a message.
2. Make your changes.
3. Open More options → Templates → Save draft as template.
4. Under Overwrite template, select the template you want to update.
5. Confirm the change.

Delete a template

1. Open More options → Templates.
2. Select Delete template.
3. Choose the template you want to remove.

Looking for something more flexible?

Gmail's native Templates feature is useful for saving messages inside Gmail.

If you need reusable templates across different apps, shared team folders, variables, or typed shortcuts, Typedesk gives you more room to work. One template can follow you across Gmail and the rest of your communication tools. See how the two approaches compare in our guide to Gmail templates and shared, consistent replies.