Universal Layouts enable you to save content sections (such as headers, footers, or similar) and reuse them across multiple emails.
When you edit a Universal Layout, all emails using it update automatically – so you don't have to change the same content manually in dozens of campaigns.
Before You Begin
Universal Layouts work only in the Email Builder.
Saved Layouts that were created previously were migrated automatically. You can activate universal linking; see Using Existing Layouts for details.
Context-specific items, such as preheaders, Abandoned products, and Order details, cannot be reused between Campaigns and Automations. Using them in the wrong email type displays placeholders instead of content. Read more in Context-Specific Layout Restrictions.
What Are Universal Layouts?
Imagine you use the same footer in 30 email campaigns. If your contact details change, you'd normally need to open each campaign and replace it manually – 30 times.
Universal Layouts solve this. They're saved content sections that link across multiple emails. When you edit a Universal Layout in one place, that change applies everywhere it's used.
Example: You update your footer's contact info → it changes in 30+ emails instantly, instead of editing each one individually.
Using Existing Layouts
If you previously used Saved Layouts, they were migrated automatically to Universal Layouts.
It's important to understand that migrated Saved Layouts are not automatically linked to existing emails. They become universal only when you drag them into a new email and choose Edit universally.
Past emails using the old saved layout remain independent and won't change.
Follow these steps to link them to all your emails:
Open the Email Builder (Campaigns or Automations).
In the left sidebar, go to Add Elements → Saved tab.
Drag your saved layout into the email.
A prompt appears with two options:
Edit universally: Links this layout to all emails. Future changes update everywhere.
Edit independently: Creates an independent copy. Changes here won't affect other emails (and vice versa).
Select Edit universally to activate linking.
💡 TIP: If you click elsewhere without choosing, the layout remains in the email as it was dragged (not linked or unlinked – ambiguous state). Always select an option to avoid confusion.
Saving a New Universal Layout
To create a new Universal Layout:
Build or edit a content section in the Email Builder.
Select the entire layout (not individual items).
Click Save as Universal (left menu).
Name your layout (e.g., "Beanie hat template") and click Save.
A prompt appears – choose Edit universally to link it, or Edit independently to keep it independent.
That's it! Your saved layout appears under Add Elements → Saved → Layouts tab. It's now available in all campaigns and automations.
Managing Your Universal Layouts
Renaming Layouts
Go to Add Elements → Saved → Layouts.
Hover over the layout → click Rename.
Enter a new name → Save.
⚠️ NOTE: Renaming only updates the library title – it doesn't affect content in your emails.
Deleting Layouts
Go to Add Elements → Saved → Layouts.
Hover over the layout → click Delete.
Confirm deletion.
IMPORTANT: When you delete a Universal Layout:
It's removed from the Saved library.
All existing instances in emails are automatically unlinked – they become independent blocks.
Content stays in those emails, but future changes to the deleted layout won't affect them (because the link is broken).
Context-Specific Layout Restrictions
Some items work only in Campaigns or Automations. Why it matters: If you use a Campaign-only item (e.g., Preheader) in an Automation, contacts receive placeholders instead of content.
Item | Campaigns | Automation |
Preheader | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Abandoned products | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Back in stock | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Order details, Ordered products, Order total | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Billing & shipping | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Segment/Tag rules | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
💡 TIP: Create separate Universal Layouts for Campaigns and Automations to avoid this issue.
FAQ
Can I convert an independent layout back to universal?
Once unlinked, it becomes an independent copy of the item. You can reuse it as a Universal Layout, manually save it again (Save Universal Layout → name → Edit universally).
Do Universal Layouts work across Campaigns and Automations?
Yes – unless they contain context-specific items (see table above). General layouts (headers, footers, product grids) work in both.
What happens if I rename or delete a layout mid-campaign?
Rename: No impact on live emails – only the library label changes.
Delete: Existing emails keep the content but become independent. Future changes to other emails using that layout won't sync.
What happens if I edit a Universal Layout while a campaign is scheduled or already sent?
Changes update in scheduled campaigns (at send time), draft campaigns, and live automations immediately. Already-sent emails stay as-is – don't affect delivered emails.
Can I undo changes to a Universal Layout after editing?
No – Omnisend doesn't save version history for Universal Layouts. To protect critical layouts from accidental changes:
Duplicate the layout before major edits: Drag it into an email → select Edit independently → save as a new Universal Layout with a different name (e.g., "Header v2").
Keep backup screenshots of important layouts (headers, footers) before editing.
How do I know if a layout block in my email is universal or independent?
When you click on a layout block in your email, check the right-side menu:
Universal Layout: You'll see a prompt asking you to choose Edit universally or Edit independently.
Independent layout: You'll only see regular editing options (no prompt to choose).
Have questions? Contact our support team at [email protected] or via in-app chat.