Note: Module presets are currently in Beta testing. Please reach out to tiffany@knak.com if you would like to participate.
Overview
Module presets and module variations both let one module show up in more than one way. They solve different problems.
Module variations change what appears in a module. Use them to show or hide elements, such as a second speaker or a hero image.
Module presets change how a module looks. Use them to switch between approved styles of the same content, such as a light theme and a dark theme.
You can use both on the same module. They work on their own and do not affect each other.
Compare Presets and Variations
| Module variations | Module presets |
What it changes | Which elements or sections are visible | Styles, such as colors, images, button styling and alignment |
Changes text or links? | No. It only shows or hides them. | No. All presets share the same text, links, alt text and titles. |
Where you set it up | Module Builder: mark an element as optional | Module Builder: use the preset dropdown on the Settings tab |
What builders do in an asset | Turn each optional element on or off | Pick one preset from a dropdown |
How options combine | Each toggle adds more layouts. 3 toggles give 8 layouts. | One preset at a time. Each look is built as its own preset. |
Starting point in an asset | Elements set to Enabled by Default | The Core preset |
Translation | All content is translated, even hidden elements | Text is shared by all presets, so it is translated once |
Choose the Right Feature
Ask yourself one question: Do you want to change what is in the module, or how it looks?
To change what is in the module, use module variations.
To change how it looks, use module presets.
To do both, use both on the same module.
Common Situations
What you want | Use | Why |
Sometimes 2 speakers, sometimes 3 | Variations | You are showing or hiding elements |
An optional hero image | Variations | You are showing or hiding a section |
A different number of columns | Variations or a separate module | Columns are part of the structure. Presets cannot change structure. |
The same button in green for one brand and red for another | Presets | The content is the same. Only the style changes. |
One footer in a light theme and a dark theme | Presets | Colors and images change. The content is the same. |
A button aligned left in one version and right in another | Presets | Alignment is a style, so presets can change it |
A dark theme footer, with or without social icons | Both | A preset for the theme. A variation for the icons. |
Different text in each version | A separate module, or edit the text in your asset | Presets cannot hold different text |
A small style change in just one email | Edit the module in that email | You do not need a new preset |
Tips
Many on and off choices? Use variations. Ten optional elements can make 1,024 layouts. With presets, you would have to build each one by hand.
A small set of approved looks? Use presets. Builders pick from your approved styles. Knak warns them before their own style edits are removed.
Do not copy a module just to change its colors. Each copy has its own content, so you must edit text in every copy. Presets keep one copy of the content.
Presets do not replace variations. Presets cannot show or hide elements.
Use Presets and Variations Together
Here is an example of a header module that uses both. The variations control the layout. The preset controls the colors.
Feature | Options |
Variations | Small logo image, left aligned · Small logo image, right aligned · Large header image, center aligned |
Presets | Core · Dark theme |
Set Up the Header Module
Set up each feature in the Module Builder first:
To build the three optional header sections, see Module Variations.
To create the Dark theme preset, see Module Presets.
Use the Header Module in an Email
Add the header module to your email.
Select the module.
Turn on the header section you want. Turn off the other two.
Pick Core or Dark theme from the preset dropdown.
In this example, the preset applies to whichever section is showing. One module gives you 6 looks: 3 layouts, each in 2 color themes.
FAQs
Can a preset show or hide an element?
No. Use a module variation to show or hide elements.
Can a preset hold different text?
No. All presets share the same text, links, alt text and titles. Use a separate module, or edit the text in your asset.
I added an element while a preset was selected. Why does it show in every preset?
Elements are part of the structure, and structure is shared by all presets. Make the element optional with a variation instead.
I have many copies of a module that only differ in color. What should I do?
Move those looks into presets on one module. Then you only need to edit the content in one place.
Are hidden variation elements translated?
Yes. Hidden elements are still translated, so you can turn them on later in a translated asset.
Need more help? Contact support via live chat within Knak using the chat bubble in the bottom right corner or email support@knak.com.