Send Template Messages with Variables via WhatChimp API

How to personalize template messages with dynamic data like customer names, order numbers, and dates using template variables.

Updated 5 February 2026

Template variables let you personalize template messages with dynamic data — customer names, order numbers, dates, amounts — that changes with every message you send.

Before you begin: Make sure you've read Send Template Messages via WhatChimp API for the basics of sending template messages.

Using custom fields instead? If your template uses subscriber data like company name, country, or email (data that doesn't change per message), see Send Template Messages with Custom Variables via WhatChimp API — the setup is different.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5jz8SkAM9I

How It Works

You add placeholders like {{1}}, {{2}}, {{3}} in your template body. When you send the template via API, you pass the actual values as variable1, variable2, variable3 parameters. The recipient sees the final personalized message.

Example template:

Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} has been shipped and will arrive by {{3}}.

API call with values:

https://app.whatchimp.com/api/v1/whatsapp/send?apiToken=API-KEY&phone_number_id=PHONE-NUMBER-ID&phone_number=919999999999&template_name=order_update&language_code=en_US&variable1=John&variable2=ORD-12345&variable3=Feb 10

Recipient sees:

Hi John, your order ORD-12345 has been shipped and will arrive by Feb 10.

Step 1: Create Template Variables

Step A. Go to Bot Manager > Message Template

Bot Manager showing the Message Template section in WhatChimp

Step B. Scroll down to Template Variables and click Create

Step C. Enter a name (e.g., order_number) and click Save. Repeat for each variable you need.

Creating a template variable in WhatChimp — click Create, enter a name, and Save

Step 2: Create Your Template

Step A. Scroll up to Message Template Settings and click Create

Step B. Write your message body using {{1}}, {{2}}, {{3}} where you want dynamic values:

Hi {{1}}, thank you for your order!

Your order {{2}} has been confirmed and will be delivered by {{3}}.

Total amount: {{4}}

Step C. Click Save. Wait for Meta to approve the template.

Template creation form showing message body with variables

Step 3: Send via API

Step A. Go to Settings > API Developer Console

Step B. Under Send Template Message, select your account and template. The console generates the API URL with variable placeholders included.

Template Message Generator in the API console

Step C. Replace the placeholders with your actual data and send:

Endpoint: GET/POST /api/v1/whatsapp/send

https://app.whatchimp.com/api/v1/whatsapp/send?apiToken=API-KEY&phone_number_id=PHONE-NUMBER-ID&phone_number=919999999999&template_name=order_confirmation&language_code=en_US&variable1=John&variable2=ORD-12345&variable3=Feb 10&variable4=$43.00

Each variable1, variable2, etc. maps to {{1}}, {{2}} in the same order they appear in the template.

Success Response:

{
  "status": "1",
  "wa_message_id": "wamid.HBgNODgwMTcyMzMwOTAwMxUCABEYEjlGQkY3MEFEMEVGODhCNDkxNQA=",
  "message": "Message sent successfully."
}

Variable Mapping

Template Placeholder	API Parameter	Example
`{{1}}`	`variable1`	John
`{{2}}`	`variable2`	ORD-12345
`{{3}}`	`variable3`	Feb 10
`{{4}}`	`variable4`	$43.00

Troubleshooting

Problem	Fix
Variables show as `{{1}}` in message	You didn't pass `variable1=VALUE` in the API call. Use the API Console generator to get the correct format.
Wrong data in wrong placeholder	`variable1` maps to `{{1}}`, `variable2` to `{{2}}`. Check the order in your template.
Template rejected by Meta	Variables don't cause rejections — review Meta's reason, fix the content, resubmit.

Template Variables vs Custom Variables — What's the Difference? — Understand which type to use
Send Template Messages with Custom Variables via WhatChimp API — Use subscriber data in templates (no API parameters needed)
Send Template Messages via WhatChimp API — Basic template sending
Getting Started with WhatChimp Developer API — API setup