How the Sync Edits Checkbox Works for Workflow Email Actions

By Sparkforge Support Team ·Last reviewed May 3, 2026

The Sync Edits to Template checkbox on workflow email actions controls bi-directional syncing with the linked template. Sync ON keeps both in lockstep; Sync OFF lets the workflow email diverge without affecting the template.

When you select an existing email template inside a workflow's Send Email action, Sparkforge now shows a Sync Edits to Template checkbox. The checkbox controls whether edits in the workflow flow back to the template — and whether template edits propagate into the workflow.

What the checkbox does

It's a bi-directional sync toggle:

Sync ON — edits in the workflow update the template, and template edits update the workflow.
Sync OFF — workflow edits and template edits are independent.

When to leave Sync ON

You want one canonical email shared across multiple workflows.
You manage template updates in one place and want changes to flow everywhere.
Brand-driven sends that should stay identical wherever they're used.

When to turn Sync OFF

You want to customize the email for a specific workflow without touching the template.
You're "breaking away" from a template for a one-off use case.
You don't want template edits to silently change a tuned workflow.

How to use it

Add or edit a Send Email action in a workflow.
Select an existing template.
Toggle the Sync Edits to Template checkbox.
Confirm in the modal — Turn On Sync or Turn Off Sync.

With sync on, edits in either place update the other. With sync off, both sides are isolated.

Sync Changes modal in the template builder

The template side has its own visibility tool. Open any email template and pick Sync Changes from the kebab menu in the email builder. The modal shows:

Every workflow email action linked to the template.
The continuous-sync status (enabled or disabled) for each.
A Sync Once button that pushes the current template content into a workflow email action whose continuous sync is off.

Continuous-sync workflow actions can't be unticked from this modal — flip them inside the workflow.

Default behavior

Existing email action with edits already made to the template — OFF by default.
Existing email action with no template edits — ON by default.
New email action selecting a template — OFF by default.

Snapshots and duplication

Sync state is preserved. The checkbox state carries over when you take a snapshot or duplicate a workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sync Edits to Template actually sync?

It syncs both directions. With sync on, edits to the workflow email update the template, and template edits update the workflow email. They stay matched.

Can I change the sync setting after I've already saved the email action?

Yes. Toggle the checkbox at any time. Sparkforge confirms the change in a modal before applying it.

How do I see every workflow email tied to a template?

Open the template in the email builder, click the kebab menu, and pick Sync Changes. The modal lists every linked email action and its current sync state.

What's the default — sync on or sync off?

New email actions default to OFF. Existing actions default to OFF if the template already had edits, or ON if the template was untouched.

Does sync state survive a workflow snapshot or duplication?

Yes. The checkbox state is preserved through snapshots and duplicates, so behavior stays consistent across accounts and copies.