How to Save and Use a Message as a Template in Evolution

Do you compose similar emails often? I do, and I really miss a system of email templates in Evolution. Fortunately, it's possible to mimic email templates, and as far as the functionality is concerned, this simulation is indistinguishable from the "real" thing.

You can save any email as a template and then start composing new messages from this template (it doesn't work for replies all that well, unfortunately).

Save and Use a Message as a Template in Evolution

To save and use a message as a template in Evolution:

• ›› Step by Step Screenshot Walkthrough

• Select New | Mail Message from the Evolution toolbar.
• Compose your template.
  • Make sure you use a Subject: that helps you recognize the template later.
• Select File | Save Draft from the menu.
• Close the message composition window.

Now, to create a message from your newly created template:

• ›› Step by Step Screenshot Walkthrough

• Go to the Drafts folder.
• Double-click the desired "template".
• Compose and send the message.
  • Make sure you never select File | Save Draft from the menu. This would overwrite your message template.
• Go to the Trash folder.
• Click on the deleted message template with the right mouse button.
• Select Undelete from the menu.

This moves the message template back to the Drafts folder where you can use it like before.