Preventing Unexpected Special Characters in Emails and Newsletters

Occasionally, users may notice unexpected characters (such as $, %, &, or other symbols) appearing in their email or newsletter content after it has been sent. This typically occurs when formatting or text is copied from external sources that contain hidden code or unsupported formatting.

To help prevent this issue, follow these best practices when creating content in AdvisorStream:

1. Use Plain Text When Pasting Content

When copying text from sources such as Microsoft Word, websites, PDFs, or AI tools, hidden formatting can come along with the text and cause display issues.
Best practice:

• Paste text using “Paste as plain text” whenever possible.

• Alternatively, paste the content first into Notepad or a simple text editor, then copy it again into AdvisorStream.

2. Avoid Copying Directly from Rich Formatting Programs

Programs like Word, Google Docs, or website editors often contain embedded formatting that does not translate cleanly into email templates.
Best practice:

• Either type the content directly in AdvisorStream or clean the formatting before pasting.

3. Use AdvisorStream’s Built-In Formatting Tools

After pasting your text, apply formatting (bold, italics, lists, spacing, etc.) using the AdvisorStream editor tools rather than relying on formatting from external programs.

4. Send a Test Email Before Distribution

Always send a test email to yourself before sending the communication to your full audience.
This allows you to confirm that:

• Text displays correctly

• No unexpected characters appear

• Spacing and formatting look as intended

5. Avoid Special or Decorative Characters

Some decorative characters or symbols used in documents (smart quotes, unusual bullet points, icons, etc.) may not render correctly across email clients.