Visual automations has a new index page, a new canvas builder, a publish checklist, draft edits, and clearer automation statuses, which are now available in open beta. This article walks through what's changed and how to use each part of the new experience.
All your existing automations, sequences, and settings all carry over to the new builder, and you can switch back at any time.
Note: Visual Automations is in open beta. Some features may change as we gather feedback, and more updates are on the way.
In this article
The new drag-and-drop builder
Visual automations are built on a canvas that you can drag and drop into. Every step sits in front of you instead of being tucked under tabs, so it's easier to spot gaps and rearrange your subscriber journey.
To build or edit an automation:
Go to Automations and open an existing automation, or click New automation.
Drag steps onto the canvas, or drag existing steps to rearrange them.
Zoom out for a bird's-eye view of the whole automation, or zoom in to work on the details of a single step.
You can use your track pad to zoom in and out of the canvas by widening or pinching two fingers.
If you hold the Shift key on the builder, you can drag a box over a section of the automation you want to zoom into.
Don't see the new builder?
On the top right of your automation, click on the three dots to show the drop down menu, and choose "try the new builder".
Editing with drafts
Changes you make to a live automation are saved as a draft first. Your automation keeps running exactly as it is while you work, and nothing changes for your subscribers until you publish. You can leave and come back to a draft anytime.
Note: If you move from the new builder back to the legacy builder, any saved drafts that are unpublished on a live automation will be lost.
Publish checklist
Before an automation goes live, or before you publish edits to one, the publish checklist will review what happens when it goes live:
Confirm when your first email goes out (if a sequence is included)
Confirm whether it only applies to new or existing subscribers
Confirm that all the emails in your sequence has published
This checklist gives you the opportunity to fix anything that's flagged and publish with confidence.
Automation overview & statuses
Each live automation has an overview where you can add a description and see quick insights into how subscribers are moving through it.
Description: Add a short note on what the automation does and who it's for. This helps you, and anyone on your team, understand it at a glance later.
Insights: See how subscribers are flowing through your automation's steps.
Automation statuses: On, Off, and Hold on entry
On the Automations index page, every automation shows a status so you can tell at a glance what it's doing.
Old status | New status | Can subscribers enter? | Do subscribers move through steps? | Use it when |
Active | On | Yes | Yes | Your automation is ready and running. |
Inactive | Off | No | No | You want to stop the automation completely. |
Paused | Hold on entry | Yes | No, they wait at the start (or whatever step they were on) | You're finishing an email or lining people up before a launch. |
Switching back to the original builder
During the beta, you can switch back to the original automations experience anytime within the automations editor. On the top right of your automation, click on the three dots to show the drop down menu, and choose "switch to legacy builder".
Your automations will work in both, but please do know that any new functionality is only available in the new builder. This means if you have any saved drafts on live automations, they will be lost if you make the switch.
FAQ
Will my existing automations still work?
Yes. Your existing automations keep running as they are. You'll see them in the new builder, and nothing changes for your subscribers. The only thing that is changing is how you are building or editing your automations.
If I edit a live automation, will subscribers be affected right away?
No. Edits are saved as a draft until you publish them through the publish checklist.
What's the difference between Off and Hold on entry?
Off stops your automation completely, so no one enters. Hold on entry still lets subscribers in but keeps them at the start until you turn the automation on. Hold on entry was previously called "pause".
Can I go back to the old builder?
Yes. You can switch back to the original experience anytime during the beta.
Is more coming?
Yes. This open beta changes how you build automations, and more new functionality is on the way.