In LISTSERV, how do I use mail templates to change the text of administrative messages?

LISTSERV uses forms within mail templates to send administrative messages to users in response to commands it receives. For example, the "You are now subscribed..." message is a form found in the DEFAULT.MAILTPL file. The DEFAULT.MAILTPL file includes these forms as well as many others:

At Indiana University, you can access your mail template and customize these forms by using the web interface for list management:

1. For Indiana University LISTSERV lists, visit the menu for your campus:

   • IU Bloomington
   • IUPUI
   • IU Kokomo
   • IU Northwest
   • IU Southeast
   • IU South Bend

   Log in using your IU email address and LISTSERV password, and then from the List Management menu at the top, select List Dashboard. Under "List Name", click Configure under the name of the list you wish to edit. If you do not have a LISTSERV personal password, see In LISTSERV, how do I set or change a personal password?

2. Click List Management at the top, and next to "Customization", choose Mail Templates to enter the template editor.
   
   
3. Use the drop-down list to select a template for viewing or editing. Once you've chosen the template you wish to edit, click Edit Template.

   Templates that have been modified will appear with an asterisk preceding the name. Those without an asterisk either contain the default text or are blank.

   Note: If you wish to view all available templates, from the "Select Template Category" drop-down menu, choose All Templates, and then click Select.

4. In the "Subject:" field, you can add text or modify existing text as you wish; it is for administrative use only and will not be seen by subscribers to your list.
   
   
5. In the "Contents:" field, you can modify the existing text or add new text to the form. The text you provide here will be viewable by your list subscribers. Once you've finished editing the form, click Update.

   Note: If you want to revert to the default or previously saved version of the form, click Reload. To delete the existing form, click Delete.

For more about LISTSERV, see L-Soft Documentation and Manuals.

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