Why Can't I Delete My Template?

You are trying to delete a letter template in AutoLetter, but the delete button is grayed out or you receive an error message? This is due to the built-in deletion protection for active templates.

Deletion Protection for Active Campaigns

AutoLetter prevents the deletion of templates that are currently used in one or more active campaigns. This is a safety measure: if a template were deleted while a campaign is using it, no more letters could be generated. This would lead to errors and incomplete mailings.

How to Identify Which Campaigns Use the Template

In the template overview, AutoLetter displays a campaign badge on each template. This badge indicates how many campaigns are using the respective template. Click on the badge to see the linked campaigns.

Solution: End the Campaigns First

To delete a protected template, you must first end all campaigns that use it:

1. Identify the linked campaigns via the campaign badge on the template.
2. Go to each campaign under Dashboard > Campaigns.
3. End or pause the campaign -- click "End" to finalize the campaign.
4. Return to template management and delete the template.

Alternative: Duplicate the Template

If you do not want to delete the template but replace it with a new version, there is an easier alternative:

1. Duplicate the existing template -- create a copy using the "Duplicate" button.
2. Edit the copy with the desired changes.
3. Assign the new template to the campaign (under Campaign > Template).
4. Delete the old template once no campaign is using it anymore.

This way, you can update your template without interrupting running campaigns.

Summary