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Using Handlebars Conditionals in Email Templates

Handlebars conditionals allow you to show or hide content in your email templates based on specific conditions. This guide covers how to use {{#if}} and {{#unless}} statements to create dynamic, personalized emails.

Basic If Statements​

The {{#if}} helper allows you to conditionally display content when a value exists or is truthy.

Syntax​

{{#if variable}}
  This content shows when variable exists and is truthy
{{/if}}

Example: Show Content Based on Reservation Type​

{{#if reservation.reservation_type}}
  Reservation Type: {{reservation.reservation_type}}
  
  **Total Price**: {{format-currency reservation.total_revenue "$"}}
  **Amount Paid**: {{format-currency reservation.total_paid "$"}}
  **Balance:** {{format-currency (basic-math reservation.total_revenue "-" reservation.total_paid) "$"}}
{{/if}}

Unless Statements​

The {{#unless}} helper is the opposite of {{#if}} - it shows content when a condition is false or when a value doesn't exist.

Syntax​

{{#unless variable}}
  This content shows when variable is false or doesn't exist
{{/unless}}

Example: Hide Content for Specific Reservation Types​

{{#unless (eq reservation.reservation_type 'OWN')}}
  {{reservation.reservation_type}} Below is your receipt and transaction information:

  **Total Price**: {{format-currency reservation.total_revenue "$"}}
  **Amount Paid**: {{format-currency reservation.total_paid "$"}}
  **Balance:** {{format-currency (basic-math reservation.total_revenue "-" reservation.total_paid) "$"}}
{{/unless}}

This example shows the receipt information for all reservation types except 'OWN'.

If-Else Statements​

You can use {{else}} to provide alternative content when a condition is not met.

Syntax​

{{#if condition}}
  Content when condition is true
{{else}}
  Content when condition is false
{{/if}}

Example: Different Messages Based on Payment Status​

{{#if reservation.total_paid}}
  Thank you for your payment of {{format-currency reservation.total_paid "$"}}
{{else}}
  No payment has been received yet
{{/if}}

Nested Conditionals​

You can nest conditional statements to create more complex logic.

Example: Multiple Condition Checks​

{{#if reservation.reservation_type}}
  {{#if reservation.total_revenue}}
    Reservation Type: {{reservation.reservation_type}}
    Total: {{format-currency reservation.total_revenue "$"}}
    
    {{#if reservation.total_paid}}
      Payment Received: {{format-currency reservation.total_paid "$"}}
    {{else}}
      No payment received yet
    {{/if}}
  {{else}}
    Reservation type exists but no pricing information available
  {{/if}}
{{else}}
  No reservation information available
{{/if}}

Common Use Cases​

1. Personalized Greetings​

{{#if contact.first_name}}
  Hello {{contact.first_name}},
{{else}}
  Hello,
{{/if}}

2. Conditional Content Based on Guest History​

{{#if contact.total_reservations}}
  {{#if (gt contact.total_reservations 5)}}
    As a frequent guest, you've earned VIP status!
  {{else}}
    Thank you for being a returning guest!
  {{/if}}
{{else}}
  Welcome! We're excited to host you for the first time.
{{/if}}

{{#if reservation.has_future}}
  We look forward to your upcoming reservations!
{{/if}}

3. Dynamic Reservation Details​

{{#if reservation.deposit}}
  **Deposit Required: {{format-currency reservation.deposit "$"}}**
  {{#if reservation.total_paid}}
    ✓ Deposit paid
  {{else}}
    ⚠ Deposit pending
  {{/if}}
{{/if}}

{{#if reservation.cancelled_at}}
  **This reservation was cancelled on {{format-date reservation.cancelled_at "MMM DD, YYYY"}}**
{{else}}
  **Status: {{reservation.status}}**
{{/if}}

4. Conditional Unit Information​

{{#if units.0.wifi_ssid}}
  ## WiFi Information
  Network: {{units.0.wifi_ssid}}
  Password: {{units.0.wifi_code}}
{{/if}}

{{#if units.0.door_code}}
  ## Access Codes
  Door Code: {{units.0.door_code}}
  {{#if units.0.gate_code}}
  Gate Code: {{units.0.gate_code}}
  {{/if}}
{{/if}}

5. Contact Communication Preferences​

{{#unless contact.dont_send_email}}
  <p>You're receiving this email because you've opted in to our communications.</p>
{{/unless}}

{{#if contact.birthday}}
  {{#if (eq (format-date contact.birthday "MM") (format-date "now" "MM"))}}
    🎉 Happy Birthday Month! Enjoy a special discount on your next stay.
  {{/if}}
{{/if}}

Best Practices​

  1. Keep Logic Simple: Complex conditional logic can be hard to maintain. Consider simplifying your conditions or handling complex logic before the email is sent.

  2. Test Thoroughly: Always test your templates with different data scenarios to ensure conditionals work as expected.

  3. Provide Fallbacks: Use {{else}} blocks to provide default content when conditions aren't met.

  4. Check for Empty Values: Remember that empty strings, zero, and false are considered falsy in Handlebars.

  5. Use Descriptive Variable Names: Make your templates easier to understand by using clear, descriptive variable names.

  6. Handle Date Comparisons: When comparing dates, use format helpers to ensure consistent comparisons.

  7. Consider Locale: For international guests, use {{contact.locale}} to conditionally show content in different languages.

Limitations​

  • Handlebars conditionals only support simple boolean logic
  • You cannot use complex expressions directly in {{#if}} statements without helpers
  • For equality checks and other comparisons, you'll need to use helpers like (eq) as shown in the examples