Attribute json blocks for html blocks contains an invalid message template variable - but previews work | Community
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Attribute json blocks for html blocks contains an invalid message template variable - but previews work


I’m trying to use a custom HTML template to send an outbound message (it’s an A/B test, not sure that matters) and when I click “Schedule and set live” I get the error message “Attribute json blocks for html blocks contains an invalid message template variable.” 

I sent 10 Preview messages successfully to various email addresses for testing, and only encounter the error when I try to set the email live. 

I built the email in Figma with the Emailify plugin. I have exported code before using the same programs and didn’t get this error but obviously this is a different email with different styling. I am clearly not a programmer (I know just enough to be dangerous) and I am comfortable making minor changes in HTML. 

I have read the help desk article https://www.intercom.com/help/en/articles/245-creating-html-emails and I see the list of supported HTML blocks but am not sure how to search in my code for something *not* allowed. 

Happy to share the full code with someone who can help. 

 

Best answer by Paul B12

Hey ​@leegeetee 

Yes, feel free to share the full HTML code here! I’m happy to take a look and help spot anything that could be causing this.

  • Specifically, I’d recommend looking for:

    • Unsupported tags or CSS styles (e.g., <style>, <script>, or positioning like fixed or absolute).

    • Custom template variables (anything wrapped in {{ }} or similar that Intercom might not recognize).

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3 replies

Milan
Top Expert ✨
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  • April 22, 2025

Hi ​@leegeetee 

 

Can you please check if you have proper Intercom variables in your HTML template?

You need to have {{content}} and {{unsubscribe_url}} or {{unsubscribe_link}} 

 

See this article (highlighted)

 


Paul Byrne
Intercom Team
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  • Intercom Team
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  • April 27, 2025

Hey ​@leegeetee 

Yes, feel free to share the full HTML code here! I’m happy to take a look and help spot anything that could be causing this.

  • Specifically, I’d recommend looking for:

    • Unsupported tags or CSS styles (e.g., <style>, <script>, or positioning like fixed or absolute).

    • Custom template variables (anything wrapped in {{ }} or similar that Intercom might not recognize).


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  • April 29, 2025
Milan wrote:

Hi ​@leegeetee 

 

Can you please check if you have proper Intercom variables in your HTML template?

You need to have {{content}} and {{unsubscribe_url}} or {{unsubscribe_link}} 

 

See this article (highlighted)

 

Thanks Milan - you know what made it work? When I REMOVED the content tag! I was desperate and just started trying random things - and that one did it. 


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