Preview notification messages
Upper shows a live preview as you edit a notification template, rendering variables with sample data and tracking the SMS character count and segment split.
When you edit a notification template in Upper, a live preview shows exactly what your customer will receive. Variables fill in with sample data, and for SMS you can watch the character count and segment indicator as you type — so you catch problems before a message ever goes out.
Why this matters
The preview catches the small errors that slip past proofreading: a misplaced variable, a duplicated word, or a text that runs long enough to send as multiple SMS segments. A few seconds in the preview saves you from sending a broken message to a whole route of customers.
Before you start
- Plan requirement — Customer notifications are available on Professional, Optimize, and Enterprise plans.
- Where it lives — Manage > Settings > Notifications.
Your workspace may use Service labels instead of Delivery (for example, "Out For Service" rather than "Out For Delivery"). The preview works the same either way.
Preview a message
Open Settings
Go to Settings in the sidebar, then open Notifications.
Open a template
Click the pencil (edit) icon on the template card you want to check — for example, Out For Delivery, After Delivery, or Missed Delivery. The template editor opens in a modal.
Edit and watch the preview
As you type in the Message field (and the Subject field for email), the What your customers will see pane updates live alongside the editor, rendering your text with sample data.
Review and save
Confirm the message reads correctly with the variables filled in, then click Save.
What the preview shows
The What your customers will see pane renders your template the way a customer will receive it:
- Your message text, formatted as it will appear
- Variable tags such as
[Company Name],[Earliest Time], and[Latest Time]replaced with sample data - The resolved Tracking Link in place of the
[Tracking Link]tag
Character counts and SMS segments
The editor tracks length while you type:
- Email Subject has a
/50character counter. The counter turns red if you go over 50, and an empty subject blocks saving. - SMS Message has a
/140character counter plus a live indicator that reads "This message will send in N segment(s)." If the message exceeds the SMS limit, saving is blocked.
Keep an eye on the segment indicator for SMS. Each segment is a separate send, so trimming a message back to a single segment keeps your costs down.
For email templates, the editor shows that the message will be sent from do-not-reply@upperinc.com instead of a character counter.
Troubleshooting
Related
Notify one customer at a time
Notify customers one at a time in Upper using the Notify to Next Customer trigger, which sends a heads-up to the upcoming stop as the driver approaches.
Send automatic messages to customers
Turn on automatic email and SMS updates in Upper so customers hear from you at each delivery stage — out for delivery, delivered, and missed.