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How do I create custom tags?

How to create a custom message tag, set its default text, and override that text for a listing or listing group.

Written by Tom Krones

A custom message tag lets you write one message that fills in listing-specific information — a Wi-Fi password, a lockbox code, a parking note — so the same message rule works across all of your listings.

Create a custom tag

  1. Browse to the Settings page and choose Custom Message Tags from the menu on the left.

  2. Press Add Tag.

  3. Under Tag Name, type the name you'll use between curly braces in a message. A tag named WIFI_PASSWORD is inserted into a message as {{WIFI_PASSWORD}}. Names must be unique and can't match a built-in tag.

  4. Under Default Tag Text, enter the text the tag is replaced with when a message is sent. This applies to every listing unless you set a listing or listing group override. You can nest other tags inside this text.

  5. Press Save.

Give a listing or group its own text

The Listing & Group Overrides section lists your listings and listing groups alongside the text this tag fills in for each one. Press the edit action next to a row to give that listing or listing group its own text, then press Save.

Use the column filters to narrow the table: Type shows only listings or only listing groups, Name searches by name, and Tag Text filters to rows with or without text.

Which text gets sent

When a message is sent, Host Tools uses the listing's own text first. If the listing has none, it uses the text set on the listing's group. If neither is set, it uses the default tag text.

Edit or delete a tag

Return to Settings > Custom Message Tags and select a tag from the list to change its name, default text or overrides. Each tag in the list also has a Delete action.

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