This feature is currently in beta testing. If you would like to participate, please contact your CSM.
What is HTML Import?
HTML Import is a new feature that allows you to import existing HTML email files directly into Knak using AI. It will generate a draft email that may require additional formatting for layout changes. This helps streamline the process for teams migrating assets into the platform by reducing manual effort and providing a solid starting point for refining content in the Knak Builder.
How to enable HTML Import
From the Admin Settings page, enable the checkbox for importing HTML files. Note that Knak AI must be enabled first to access this feature.
There is a user permission to access this feature that is automatically applied to Admin roles. To enable the permission for other email creators, go to Admin, Roles, then enable "create email from HTML" from within the Email Creator role permissions.
How To Use HTML Import
Open a Campaign: Navigate to the campaign where you want to add your email.
Select “Create”: Click the drop-down menu and choose Create Email from HTML.
Upload Your HTML File: Drag and drop your .html file into the upload window or browse for the file.
Confirm the Upload: Click "Import HTML" to start the upload process.
HTML file is now importing. The email name will be pulled from the HTML file if one is present, or it will use the name of the file.
Check Your Notifications: You’ll receive a confirmation in your notifications once the upload is complete.
Important Notes
Partial Import: This tool is not designed to import 100% of your email exactly as-is. Instead, it gives you a strong starting point for refinement in Knak. Some design or formatting adjustments may be necessary post-import, including dark mode support or image sizing.
Email support only: we currently support HTML to email. Landing pages are not supported at this time.
Image URLs: Images brought in through HTML Import link to their original source. You must have the rights to use any imported images and ensure they are hosted on a stable and accessible platform such as the Knak Image Library or a DAM. Using external or copyrighted images without permission may lead to broken content or copyright violations.
Image Alt Text: Images which contain placeholder alt text such as "image" will be imported with the placeholder text. Make sure you update the alt text to ensure accessibility.
AI driven: this tool uses AI and thus us non-deterministic, meaning you may get a slightly different result each time you use it.
Supported Functionality
Category | Feature / Use Case | Supported | Notes |
📄 General Functionality | Import | ✅ | Drag-and-drop upload supported for email HTML. |
| Import | ✅ |
|
| Landing pages | ❌ | Landing pages have extra complexity and are not currently supported. |
| Output is editable in Knak Builder | ✅ | Generates a draft email for in-platform editing. |
| Notifications on completion | ✅ | Users receive notification when import finishes. |
🧱 Layout & Structure | Maintains image width | ✅ | Imported images retain original widths as defined in HTML. |
| Section and background colors | ✅ | Background and section coloring are preserved. |
| Stackable columns honored | ✅ | If columns are stackable on mobile, import respects this behavior. |
| Responsive visibility — images (mobile/desktop) | ✅ | Images set to show only on desktop or mobile will import with correct visibility settings. |
| Responsive visibility — other elements (mobile/desktop) | ✅ | Non-image elements with platform-specific visibility settings are preserved. |
🎨 Styling & Visuals | Maintains font size, line height, text color (via text attributes) | ✅ | Styling is applied at the component level, not inline — must use text component properties. |
| Bold, underline, and links preserved (if applied to portions of text) | ✅ | These are the only supported styles for partial text styling. |
| Link color and underline handled via text component | ✅ | Should be defined using text block styling options. |
| Padding on elements is preserved | ✅ | Padding defined in HTML will be honored. |
| Text symbols (e.g., ampersand | ✅ | Symbols render properly post-import. |
| Inline CSS for text is stripped | ❌ | Stripped to avoid rendering issues as these can be hard to identify - use text styling controls instead. |
| Dark mode support | ❌ | Dark mode support is not imported |
| Font import support (e.g., Google Fonts) | 🚫 Partially Supported | Custom fonts may not be preserved; fallback fonts will apply. |
🖼️ Images & Assets | Images retain original URLs | ✅ | Linked to original hosting - not moved to Knak Image Library. |
| Automatically added to Knak image library | ❌ | Manual upload required if stable hosting is desired. |
⚙️ Advanced Behaviors & Script | AMPscript, VelocityScript, or custom scripting | ❌ | Stripped entirely during import. |
| JavaScript or dynamic content | ❌ | Will be removed - not supported for security/compatibility. |
| AI-generated results may vary | ✅ | Non-deterministic import — same file may yield slight differences on each run. |
Need more help? Contact support via live chat within Knak using the chat bubble in the bottom right corner or email support@knak.com