# Client Portal - Edit Default Email Templates

> Edit and personalize the default email notifications sent from your Client Portal. Convert locked defaults into editable templates, tailor content to…

- Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/client-portal/client-portal-2/client-portal-edit-default-email-templates
- Section: Client Portal / Client Portal
- Reading time: 2 min
- Images: 9, each explained below
- Modified on Fri, 5 Dec, 2025 at 8:34 AM

---
Edit and personalize the default email notifications sent from your Client Portal. Convert locked defaults into editable templates, tailor content to your brand, preview with custom fields, and deploy with confidence. This guide covers navigation, editing, previewing, and best‑practice tips for Client Portal email templates.

---

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

-   [What is Editing Default Email Templates in Client Portal?](#what-is-editing-default-email-templates-in-client-portal)[](#key-benefits-of-edit-default-email-templates)
-   [Key Benefits of Edit Default Email Templates](#key-benefits-of-edit-default-email-templates)[](#how-to-set-up-edit-default-email-templates)
-   [How to Set Up Edit Default Email Templates](#how-to-set-up-edit-default-email-templates)[](#frequently-asked-questions)
-   [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions)[](#related-articles)
-   [Related Articles](#related-articles)

---

# **What is Editing Default Email Templates in Client Portal?**

The Edit Default Email Templates capability lets Client Portal Owners generate an editable copy of any system default email used by portal apps (e.g., Documents & Contracts, Courses, Certificates). Instead of building from scratch, you convert the default, customize the content, and set it as the active template for that notification.

---

## **Key Benefits of Edit Default Email Templates**

-   **Speed:** Instantly convert a default into an editable template—no need to recreate from scratch.
    
-   **Consistency:** Keep the original layout while refining tone and content for your audience.
    
-   **Personalization:** Use merge fields/custom values to add dynamic details.
    
-   **Accuracy:** Preview with custom fields so you know exactly what contacts will see.
    
-   **Control:** Apply per‑notification edits across supported Client Portal apps.
    

---

## **How to Set Up Edit Default Email Templates**

Following a clear setup sequence reduces errors and ensures your customized template activates for the intended notification.

1.  Navigate to **Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings** 
    
    
![Step 1 of 10: Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings](https://jumpshare.com/share/IaruuKABWh6R9nVuUjnX+/Screenshot+2025-12-05+at+6.22.02%E2%80%AFPM.png)

**Step 1 of 10: Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings**

This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 10 in the "How to Set Up Edit Default Email Templates" section of "Client Portal - Edit Default Email Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings. The next step is to or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.
- Where to go: Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings
- Controls: Eye Icon, Default Template, Select, Template, Edit, Proceed, Email Builder, Save
- Next: or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings  <- this image
2. or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.
3. Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).
4. Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.
5. You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.
6. After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.
7. Read the caution box and click on Proceed.
8. Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide)
9. Save the template.
10. The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on Save to confirm your choice.

    
2.  **or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.**
    
    
![Step 2 of 10: or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings](https://jumpshare.com/share/fQMnDfMSVjHNux1iX93F+/Screenshot+2025-12-05+at+6.29.05%E2%80%AFPM.png)

**Step 2 of 10: or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings**

This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 10 in the "How to Set Up Edit Default Email Templates" section of "Client Portal - Edit Default Email Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings. The next step is to locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).
- What this covers: or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.
- Controls: Eye Icon, Default Template, Select, Template, Edit, Proceed, Email Builder, Save
- Next: Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings
2. or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.  <- this image
3. Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).
4. Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.
5. You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.
6. After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.
7. Read the caution box and click on Proceed.
8. Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide)
9. Save the template.
10. The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on Save to confirm your choice.

    
3.  Locate the **Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).**  
      
    
    
![Step 3 of 10: Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities…](https://jumpshare.com/share/pRUHX38LQI3CGS1kS4KC+/Screen+Shot+2025-12-05+at+6.40.49+PM.png)

**Step 3 of 10: Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities…**

This screenshot accompanies step 3 of 10 in the "How to Set Up Edit Default Email Templates" section of "Client Portal - Edit Default Email Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses). The next step is to under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.
- What this covers: Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).
- Controls: Eye Icon, Default Template, Select, Template, Edit, Proceed, Email Builder, Save
- Next: Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings
2. or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.
3. Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).  <- this image
4. Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.
5. You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.
6. After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.
7. Read the caution box and click on Proceed.
8. Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide)
9. Save the template.
10. The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on Save to confirm your choice.

    
      
    
4.  Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the **Eye Icon** to preview the template and click on **Default Template** button to start customizing.  
    
    
![Step 4 of 10: Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on…](https://jumpshare.com/share/kDAC8pMKRH6UG177SFP2+/GIF+Recording+2025-12-05+at+6.42.53+PM.gif)

**Step 4 of 10: Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on…**

This animation accompanies step 4 of 10 in the "How to Set Up Edit Default Email Templates" section of "Client Portal - Edit Default Email Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing. The next step is to you can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.
- What to click: Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.
- Controls: Eye Icon, Default Template, Select, Template, Edit, Proceed, Email Builder, Save
- Next: You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings
2. or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.
3. Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).
4. Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.  <- this image
5. You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.
6. After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.
7. Read the caution box and click on Proceed.
8. Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide)
9. Save the template.
10. The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on Save to confirm your choice.

    
5.  You can click on the **Select** **Template** dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.  
      
    
    
![Step 5 of 10: You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously…](https://jumpshare.com/share/LA7CTwCSjbYJnHXU5eQ8+/Screenshot+2025-12-05+at+7.22.29%E2%80%AFPM.png)

**Step 5 of 10: You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously…**

This screenshot accompanies step 5 of 10 in the "How to Set Up Edit Default Email Templates" section of "Client Portal - Edit Default Email Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you you can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well. The next step is to after selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.
- What to choose: You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.
- Controls: Select, Template, Eye Icon, Default Template, Edit, Proceed, Email Builder, Save
- Next: After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings
2. or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.
3. Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).
4. Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.
5. You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.  <- this image
6. After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.
7. Read the caution box and click on Proceed.
8. Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide)
9. Save the template.
10. The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on Save to confirm your choice.

    
6.  After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the **Edit** button to customize the email content in the editor.  
    
    
![Step 6 of 10: After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on…](https://jumpshare.com/share/vg1vsjMeiQOCIjDWusUA+/Screen+Shot+2025-12-05+at+7.50.42+PM.png)

**Step 6 of 10: After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on…**

This screenshot accompanies step 6 of 10 in the "How to Set Up Edit Default Email Templates" section of "Client Portal - Edit Default Email Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you after selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor. The next step is to read the caution box and click on Proceed.
- What to click: After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.
- Controls: Edit, Eye Icon, Default Template, Select, Template, Proceed, Email Builder, Save
- Next: Read the caution box and click on Proceed.

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings
2. or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.
3. Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).
4. Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.
5. You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.
6. After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.  <- this image
7. Read the caution box and click on Proceed.
8. Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide)
9. Save the template.
10. The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on Save to confirm your choice.

    
      
    
7.  Read the caution box and click on **Proceed**.  
    
    
![Step 7 of 10: Read the caution box and click on Proceed](https://jumpshare.com/share/IoMsgYXd0b1p9Ljitlve+/Screen+Shot+2025-12-05+at+7.51.18+PM.png)

**Step 7 of 10: Read the caution box and click on Proceed**

This screenshot accompanies step 7 of 10 in the "How to Set Up Edit Default Email Templates" section of "Client Portal - Edit Default Email Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you read the caution box and click on Proceed. The next step is to use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide).
- What to click: Read the caution box and click on Proceed.
- Controls: Proceed, Eye Icon, Default Template, Select, Template, Edit, Email Builder, Save
- Next: Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide)

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings
2. or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.
3. Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).
4. Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.
5. You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.
6. After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.
7. Read the caution box and click on Proceed.  <- this image
8. Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide)
9. Save the template.
10. The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on Save to confirm your choice.

    
      
    
8.  Use the **Email Builder** to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our [Email Builder Guide](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/marketing/email-builder-capabilities/how-to-use-the-email-builder-and-its-in-line-editor))  
    
    
![Step 8 of 10: Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To…](https://jumpshare.com/share/hqvnlGAChztL82T65RiE+/Screen+Shot+2025-12-05+at+7.53.12+PM.png)

**Step 8 of 10: Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To…**

This screenshot accompanies step 8 of 10 in the "How to Set Up Edit Default Email Templates" section of "Client Portal - Edit Default Email Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide). The next step is to save the template.
- What this covers: Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide)
- Controls: Email Builder, Eye Icon, Default Template, Select, Template, Edit, Proceed, Save
- Next: Save the template.

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings
2. or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.
3. Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).
4. Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.
5. You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.
6. After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.
7. Read the caution box and click on Proceed.
8. Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide)  <- this image
9. Save the template.
10. The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on Save to confirm your choice.

    
9.  **Save** the template.  
     
    
10.  The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on **Save** to confirm your choice.
     
     
![Step 10 of 10: The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click…](https://jumpshare.com/share/a7RyAFDQ6X42jPCRXZwF+/GIF+Recording+2025-12-05+at+7.57.07+PM.gif)

**Step 10 of 10: The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click…**

This animation accompanies step 10 of 10 in the "How to Set Up Edit Default Email Templates" section of "Client Portal - Edit Default Email Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you the Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on Save to confirm your choice.
- How to confirm: The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on Save to confirm your choice.
- Controls: Save, Eye Icon, Default Template, Select, Template, Edit, Proceed, Email Builder

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Sites → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings
2. or Memberships → Client Portal → Settings → Email Settings.
3. Locate the Main Notification Features (Client Portal, Communities, Certificates, Courses).
4. Under the main features, for each sub-category notification, click on the Eye Icon to preview the template and click on Default Template button to start customizing.
5. You can click on the Select Template dropdown to select a previously saved email template as well.
6. After selecting the default template or an existing template, click on the Edit button to customize the email content in the editor.
7. Read the caution box and click on Proceed.
8. Use the Email Builder to edit the Email Template as you want. (To learn how to use create and edit emails, checkout our Email Builder Guide)
9. Save the template.
10. The Saved Template will be auto selected for the notification. Click on Save to confirm your choice.  <- this image

     

---

## **Frequently Asked Questions**

**Q. Who can edit default email templates in the Client Portal?**  
Client Portal Owners with access to **Email Settings**. Role‑based visibility may vary by account configuration.  

**Q. Does saving a custom copy immediately activate it?**  
Yes. After saving, the customized version is used for that specific notification.  

**Q. Can I manage templates per function (e.g., Courses, Certificates, Documents & Contracts)?**  
Yes. Each supported function lists its notifications in **Email Settings** with template controls.  

**Q. Can I select templates I created previously?**  
They remain available. You can replace a notification’s default with your previously saved Email template.  
**Q: Can I switch back to the default template?**

Yes.

---

### **Related Articles**

-   [Notifications for Invoices, Estimates, and Contracts in Client Portal](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/client-portal/client-portal-2/how-email-notifications-work-for-invoices-estimates-contracts-in-the-client-port)
    
-   [Notification Preferences for Courses in the Client Portal](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/client-portal/client-portal-2/notification-preferences-for-courses-in-the-client-portal) 
    
-   [Notifications inside Client Portal](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/client-portal/client-portal-2/notifications-inside-client-portal)
    
-   [Client Portal App - Custom mobile app notifications](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/client-portal/client-portal-2/client-portal-app-custom-mobile-app-notifications)

---

Documentation for GHL Customer Care. Support: support@ghlcustomercare.com