--- title: Getting started with the newsletter builder description: A quick tour of the newsletter builder in Schoolzine Newsletters, from opening a newsletter to adding articles and content. url: "https://schoolzine.com/docs/getting-started-with-the-newsletter-builder/" updated: "2026-10-21" category: Newsletters tags: - getting started - newsletter builder --- # Getting started with the newsletter builder The newsletter builder is where your school's newsletter comes together. Instead of writing one long document, you build each newsletter from **articles**, and each article from smaller **content elements** such as text, photos, galleries, video and buttons. Families and carers can then read it on whatever device they already use. ## Opening the builder 1. Log in to your **Control Centre** and select **Newsletters** (previously **eNewsletters**) from the menu. 2. Click the name of the newsletter you want to work on. 3. Click **Edit Content**. The builder opens in a new tab, showing your newsletter the way families will see it. ![A newsletter in the Control Centre, with the Edit Content button above its list of articles](https://schoolzine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/10/newsletter-builder-edit-content.png) ## Finding your way around The toolbar runs across the top of the builder. On the left, **Control Centre** takes you back to the Control Centre. On the right are: - **Undo** and **Redo**: step backwards and forwards through your changes. - **Newsletter Settings**: the publication, skin and table of contents. - **Preview**: see the newsletter on desktop, tablet and mobile. - **Print Layout**: check how the newsletter will look when printed. - **Compact View**: hide the side and top menus so you can focus on your content. - **Save Changes**: save your work. The button shows **Saved** when everything is up to date. ![The newsletter builder toolbar](https://schoolzine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/10/newsletter-builder-toolbar-buttons.png) ## Adding an article Click the **+** between two articles to open the ribbon, then choose the type of article you want: - **Text Article**: a heading and text. - **Image Left** or **Image Right**: a heading and text beside a photo. - **Full Media**: a heading and text with photos and a video. - **Link Article**: reuse an article you've already written. - **Link Event**: add an event from your school calendar. - **SchoolTV Article**: for schools that use SchoolTV, add a SchoolTV feature. SchoolTV is a separate service and isn't provided by Schoolzine. ![The ribbon of article types](https://schoolzine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/10/newsletter-builder-article-types.png) Your new article appears straight away, and the table of contents at the top of the newsletter updates to match. Click the title and the placeholder text to replace them with your own words. ![Adding a Text article called Book Week Parade](https://schoolzine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/10/newsletter-builder-add-article.gif) ## Adding content to an article Under each article is a bar of content elements. Use them to build the article up one piece at a time: - **Text**, **Image**, **Gallery**, **Video** and **Audio**. - **Link Button**: a button that opens a web page, such as a booking or payment page. - **Flyer**: attach a PDF, such as an excursion note. - **Form/Survey** and **Poll**: collect responses from families and carers with custom online forms, surveys and spot polls. - **Border Box** and **Colour Box**: help important information stand out. ![The bar of content elements under an article](https://schoolzine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/10/newsletter-builder-content-elements.png) > **Tip:** Several short articles are easier to read, reorder and reuse than one long one. A good rule is one article per story. ## Working with an article Hover over an article to see its controls: - **Cog**: the article's settings, such as its featured image, summary, tags, whether it appears in the table of contents and whether it prints. - **Arrows**: move the article up or down. Its content moves with it. - **Bin**: remove the article from this newsletter. > **Important:** If an article appears only in this newsletter, removing it and saving deletes the article. If it's linked to other newsletters as well, the bin removes it from this newsletter only. ## Undo and redo Changed your mind? Use the **Undo** and **Redo** arrows in the toolbar. You can also press **Ctrl + Z** (**Cmd + Z** on a Mac) to undo and **Ctrl + Shift + Z** to redo whenever you aren't typing in a text box. ## When a colleague is editing Only one person can edit a newsletter at a time. If a colleague already has it open, the builder lets you know, so nobody's changes get overwritten. ## Related articles - [Creating a newsletter](https://schoolzine.com/docs/creating-a-newsletter/) - [Adding content to an article](https://schoolzine.com/docs/adding-content-to-an-article/) - [Sending and distributing a newsletter](https://schoolzine.com/docs/sending-and-distributing-a-newsletter/) ## Need a hand? Our Customer Success Team is here to help. Call **1300 795 503**, email **support@schoolzine.com** or start a live chat in your Schoolzine account.