---
title: "Options on the Compose page: Drafting your post content"
updated: 2025-10-03
---

# Options on the Compose page: Drafting your post content

After [selecting a newsletter template](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/30974963947031-getting-started-with-the-post-builder-creating-newsletter-templates), the Post Builder will open on the Compose page where you can start drafting your email content. The Post Builder is organized into 5 tabs (Compose, [Audience](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/13064033042199-options-on-the-audience-page-of-the-post-flow), [Email](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/30466984678679-options-on-the-email-page-of-the-post-flow), [Web](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/14493017506583-options-on-the-web-page-of-the-post-flow), [Review](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/31813557023255)) found at the top of the page.

These tabs represent the [5 stages of the post creation flow](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/26311866535575), guiding you step-by-step through crafting and publishing a newsletter post. Use the **Next** button to move between pages in order, or click any of the 5 tabs to jump directly to a specific stage.

This article covers the **Compose** **tab** and page of the post creation flow, where you draft your newsletter content using the **Write** **panel** and the post editor. To further customize your post, switch to [the **Style** **panel** to access lots more design options](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/31258673154455-post-customization-options-in-the-style-panel).

![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/31326954984087)
> **Reminder**
>
> All changes made in the Post Builder are automatically saved, as indicated by the **Synced** tag near the exit in the top left corner.

## Compose icons across the top of the canvas

When the **Post Builder** opens on the **Compose** page, the **Write** panel will be selected by default (located on the right side of the canvas). Whether you’re using a [Quick Start Template](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/30974963947031-getting-started-with-the-post-builder-creating-newsletter-templates) or creating your own content, the **Compose** page will display the following action icons at the top (from left to right):

-   **Profile Initials:** Shows you and any other collaborators currently editing the post.
-   **Word Count:** Displays the active word count of the post.
-   **Undo/Redo:** Reverse or redo the last action.
-   **Search and replace:** Find specific text in your post and replace it as needed.
-   **Backlink Setup:** [Create backlinks for the post.](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/29431626912151-adding-internal-backlinks-to-your-beehiiv-posts)
-   **Commenting:** [Add comments for your team members on the post draft.](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/22407818962583)
-   **Version History:** Access and revert to previous versions of the post.
-   **Save as template:** Save your current post as a template for future use.
-   **Help:** Open the [beehiiv Knowledge Base](https://www.beehiiv.com/support) (where you are now).

We’ll go over the options and editors available to you on the Compose page below, click on each section to reveal its content. 

**Creating your newsletter**

![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/31326954985111)

## Drafting post content

All of our [Quick start templates](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/30974963947031-getting-started-with-the-post-builder-creating-newsletter-templates) are fully customizable, just like building a post using a blank draft (pictured above). While on the Compose page, you can:

-   Add or edit the post title.
-   Include a subtitle.
-   [Add a post thumbnail](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413248838423).
-   [Assign content tags](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/13080828738199).
-   [Add teammates as authors](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/14492992641303) or include guest authors.
-   Design your newsletter content using the post editor.

For more detailed instructions on everything you can do with these options (and more), refer to [our article on creating a post](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/26311866535575-how-to-create-and-publish-a-post#h_01J8AZAQT6MK81AM5PT1NXZ9AT-compose-page) or use the links above.

**Using the post editor to build your content**

Easily add or adjust your post content on the canvas, by typing the / forward slash to access the post editor options. Or, to add text content, simply start writing on the canvas.  
  
 

![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/31326914757399)

## Design options in the post editor

The post editor provides countless of ways to design your newsletter, organized into 5 sections:

**Basics**

-   Bulleted List
-   Numbered List
-   Button
-   Image
-   Code Block
-   Table
-   Blockquote
-   Content Break
-   [Section](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/14998973584407)
-   [Columns](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/14998315019159-how-to-add-and-customize-columns)
-   Subscriber Break
-   [Table of Contents (TOC)](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/19685281911191-how-to-add-a-toc-to-your-post-and-use-anchor-tags)
-   File Attachment
-   [Merge Tags](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/25846316892055-how-to-personalize-a-post-using-merge-tags)

**Headings**

-   H1 - H6

**Embeds**

Embeds are web and social media links included in your posts. You can [customize their appearance in the Style panel](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/31258673154455-post-customization-options-in-the-style-panel#h_01JRB3VJWZX5KQCJQAG69SQZ4T-advanced-widget-customization-options).

-   Embed Link
-   TikTok
-   Instagram
-   Twitter
-   Stocktwits
-   Bluesky
-   Twitter
-   [Audio](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/24011254016407-how-to-include-audio-files-in-a-post)

**Dynamic Tags**

-   Footnotes

**Premium**

Paid accounts also have access to these options in the post editor:

-   [Advertisements](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/17525818225431) / Ads from the Ad Network (when enabled)
-   [AI Image and AI Writer](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/15882638374551-using-ai-features-in-the-beehiiv-post-editor)
-   [Referral Program](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/13090888705943)
-   [Paywall Breaks](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/9363839870743)
-   [HTML Snippet (code)](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/4413248700439-using-html-in-beehiiv-posts)
-   [Recommendations](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/13091498232855)
-   [Boosts](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/14492963616279)
-   [RSS](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/9363537272215-how-to-enable-and-use-rss)

**Additional articles on creating post content**

-   [How to remove text formatting from copied content](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/12826562780951-how-to-remove-text-formatting-from-copy-in-a-post)
-   [Ways to leave comments on posts for your teammates](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/22407818962583)
-   [Preview and testing the post before sending](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/4413249011607-Sending-test-emails-of-your-post)

**Post editor cheat sheet**

## Shortcuts in the post editor

When using the beehiiv post editor, we offer a bunch of [easy shortcuts to speed up your workflow](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/26311866535575-how-to-create-and-publish-a-post#h_01J8AZAQT7QMJW9MRX1X2ME1CP-shortcuts-in-the-post-editor).

![beehiiv editor cheat sheet.png](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/31326914758295)
> **Pro Tip**
>
> If your draft or template shows extra whitespace around elements, be sure to [preview your post or send a test email](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/4413249011607-previewing-and-sending-test-emails-of-your-post) before you publish. Preview reduces the draft’s padding and shows an accurate layout on mobile and desktop, so you can see exactly how your content will appear.

**Text editor style options**

When drafting a post, highlighting text on your canvas will bring up the text editor. While the overall appearance of your copy and post is governed by the [settings in the **Style** panel](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/31258673154455), the text editor allows you to apply inline formatting and make more granular adjustments as you write.  
  
 

![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/31326914760727)

## Using the text editor

From left to right, here are the available options in the text editor:

-   **Bold:** Emphasizes text with a heavier weight.
-   **Italics:** Styles text with a slanted appearance for emphasis or tone.
-   **Underline:** Adds a line beneath the selected text.
-   **Strikethrough:** Places a horizontal line through text to indicate edits or removal.
-   **Highlight:** Applies a background color to selected text for emphasis.
-   **Link:** Turns the selected text into a clickable hyperlink.
-   **Code:** Formats inline text as code.
-   **Superscript:** Raises the selected text above the baseline (e.g. 1st²).
-   **Subscript:** Lowers the selected text below the baseline (e.g. H₂O).
-   **Headings:** Allows you to assign header levels (H1-H6) to structure your post.
-   **Lists:** Formats selected text as either a bulleted or numbered list.
-   **Blockquotes:** Styles the selected text as a standout quote often used for testimonials, with 3 variants to choose from.
-   **Code Block:** Formats a section of text as a block of code, useful for technical content.
-   **Text Alignment:** Aligns text left, center, or right.
-   **Text Styles:** Adjust the font family, weight, and size. Change the text color, or [remove text formatting when needed](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/12826562780951-how-to-remove-text-formatting-from-copy-in-a-post).
-   **Comments:** Add inline [comments to your draft — visible only to your team members](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/22407818962583-using-comments-for-collaboration-in-the-post-editor), not readers.
-   **AI Writing Tools:** Access AI-powered suggestions for writing assistance, rewrites, or expansion.

### Shortcuts in the text editor

Hover over any icon in the text editor to see its name and corresponding keyboard shortcut. These shortcuts help speed up formatting while you write.  
  
![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/31326954988695)

If you paste content into the canvas that retains formatting from another source, the **Text styles** icon will turn pink when that text is highlighted. Click on the icon, then select **Reset all** to [remove the inherited formatting](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/12826562780951-how-to-remove-text-formatting-from-copy-in-a-post) and match your current style settings.  
  
![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/31326914762903)