---
title: "Add content to an email message that is based on an imported HTML file"
slug: "add-content-to-an-email-message-that-is-based-on-an-imported-html-file"
abstract: "Add a rendering to add content to an email message that is created from an HTML file."
---
# Add content to an email message that is based on an imported HTML file

You can add content to an email message that is based on an imported HTML file by adding a rendering and associating it with the relevant placeholder and content item.

> [!important]
> You must be a member of the Designer [security role](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/100/platform-administration-and-architecture/the-security-roles.html) to perform this task.

> [!note]
> In the HTML file, a [developer must add a placeholder](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/exm/100/email-experience-manager/enabling-marketers-to-add-content-to-an-email-message-based-on-an-imported-html-file.html) in the location where you want to add a rendering in your email message. To add a rendering in the right place, you must use the name of the placeholder in the HTML file, so that you can associate the rendering with that placeholder. The following is an example of a placeholder, where the name is exm-content:
>
> <sc:Placeholder Key="exm-content" runat="server" />

To add additional content to an email message that is based on an imported HTML file:

1. In the Email Experience Manager (EXM), open the email campaign that was created from importing an HTML file.
2. On the **Message** tab, click the message body to open the email message in Edit mode.
3. To add a rendering, on the **Email** tab, in the **Layout** group, click **Details**.

    ![Email tab showing the Layout section.](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/xp/en/users/exm/100/email-experience-manager/images/48F5C3E855D64B8591C31C96244DC405.png)

4. In the **Layout Details** dialog box, on the **Shared Layout** tab, in the **Default** section, click **Imported HTML page.html**.

    ![Layout details dialog box showing the Imported HTML page location.](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/xp/en/users/exm/100/email-experience-manager/images/62D1E478D53C4CAA912E2C481F57F220.png)

5. In the **Device Editor** dialog box, click **Controls**, and then click **Add**.

    ![Device Editor dialog box showing the Controls tab with the Add button.](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/xp/en/users/exm/100/email-experience-manager/images/660C1D508DF44C948B2BD2CEC961F4B0.png)

6. In the **Select a Rendering** dialog box, navigate to the relevant rendering, for example, Sample Rendering, and click **Select**.

    ![Select Rendering dialog box showing the Sample Rendering.](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/xp/en/users/exm/100/email-experience-manager/images/1DDA8A68431A474FBC288CE736511ED4.png)

7. In the **Device Editor** dialog box, select the rendering you just added, and click **Edit**.
8. In the **Control Properties** dialog box, in the **General** section:
    - In the **Placeholder** field, enter the name of the placeholder in the HTML file to indicate where you want the content in the email message to appear.
    - In the **Data Source** field, browse to or enter the name of the content item that you want to associate with the rendering.

    ![Control Properties dialog box, General section.](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/xp/en/users/exm/100/email-experience-manager/images/BBBC5FBC1A1947889191D44DA3C21BA6.png)

9. Click **OK**.

Now, when you open your email message in Edit mode, you can click the rendering you added to display the floating toolbar and edit the associated content item.

![Email tab showing the email message in Edit mode.](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/xp/en/users/exm/100/email-experience-manager/images/F27A776B61F44BFC8605CC030CF6C9D5.png)

> [!note]
> The changes you make to the content item will be saved to the original item and updated in any other places where the content item is used. Additionally, any changes that are made to the content item from somewhere else in the system are updated to the content in your email message.