> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chatsyncs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Template Structure & Sending

> How a WhatsApp template message is structured (header, body, footer, buttons) and how to send one via the API using the components array. Use when a customer asks how to send a template message, what the components field is, how to include a header image or footer text, or what the full API payload looks like when sending an approved template.

A template message is sent by filling in an approved template with real content. The API call
uses a `components` array to supply the values for each part of the template: header
(optional), body (required), footer (optional), and buttons (optional). The template itself was
pre-approved by Meta; the components just supply the variable values at send time.

## Sending a template

```json theme={null}
POST https://graph.facebook.com/v25.0/{phone-number-id}/messages

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "919959623255",
  "type": "template",
  "template": {
    "name": "marketing_template_test",
    "language": { "code": "en" },
    "components": [
      {
        "type": "header",
        "parameters": [
          { "type": "image", "image": { "link": "https://yourstore.com/banner.jpg" } }
        ]
      },
      {
        "type": "body",
        "parameters": [
          { "type": "text", "text": "Rahul" },
          { "type": "text", "text": "FEST20" }
        ]
      },
      { "type": "button", "sub_type": "url", "index": "0", "parameters": [] },
      {
        "type": "button",
        "sub_type": "copy_code",
        "index": "1",
        "parameters": [{ "type": "coupon_code", "coupon_code": "FEST20" }]
      },
      {
        "type": "button",
        "sub_type": "quick_reply",
        "index": "2",
        "parameters": [{ "type": "payload", "payload": "INTERESTED" }]
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

## Component types

| Component | Required | What it does                                                     |
| --------- | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `header`  | No       | Top section — can be text, image, document, or video             |
| `body`    | Yes      | Main message text; contains `{{1}}`, `{{2}}` variables           |
| `footer`  | No       | Small grey text at the bottom (no variables)                     |
| `buttons` | No       | Up to 3 buttons: URL, quick\_reply, copy\_code, or phone\_number |

Only include a component in the `components` array if that component exists in the template and
has variables or dynamic values to fill in. A footer with no variables doesn't need to appear
in the array.

## Language codes

Common values: `en` (English), `en_us` (English US), `hi` (Hindi). Use whatever code you set
when creating the template.

## Technical detail

* `template.name` — exact name of the approved template (case-sensitive).
* `template.language.code` — must match the language code set during template creation.
* Button `index` — zero-based position of the button as defined in the template. If your
  template has 3 buttons, they are index "0", "1", "2".
* Header parameter types: `image`, `document`, `video` (for media headers) or `text` (for text
  headers with variables).

## Reference image

<Frame caption="A template message showing its four parts — header image, body text, footer text, and reply buttons.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatsyncs/rnzqBC-k4H7wWU35/images/meta-api/templates/template-structure-and-sending/template-structure-diagram.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=rnzqBC-k4H7wWU35&q=85&s=2e0bb0459b129c6899946d36087e47ce" alt="Template structure diagram" width="1671" height="1624" data-path="images/meta-api/templates/template-structure-and-sending/template-structure-diagram.png" />
</Frame>

## Frequently asked

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I send an approved WhatsApp template message via the API?">
    Use `type: "template"`, give the template `name` and `language.code`, then pass a
    `components` array to fill in the dynamic values. See the payload above.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is the components array in a template API call?">
    It's how you supply real values at send time — header images, body variables, button URLs,
    coupon codes. Each entry targets one part of the template (header, body, or a specific
    button by index).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My template has a header image. How do I pass it when sending?">
    Add a `{ "type": "header", "parameters": [{ "type": "image", "image": { "link": "..." } }] }`
    entry in `components`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I send a coupon code button?">
    Add a button component with `sub_type: "copy_code"` and pass
    `{ "type": "coupon_code", "coupon_code": "YOUR_CODE" }` in its parameters.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Gotchas & common mistakes

<Warning>
  * **Wrong `index` on buttons** — button components must use zero-based index matching the order
    buttons were defined in the template. Wrong index = API error.
  * **Including a component not in the template** — if your template has no header, don't include
    a header component in the array; it will cause an error.
  * **`language.code` mismatch** — must exactly match the language used at template creation.
    `"en"` and `"en_us"` are different codes.
  * **Sending outside a template** — you can only send templates outside the 24-hour window. See
    [The 24-hour window](/meta-api/messaging/24-hour-customer-service-window).
</Warning>