Mustertext

Mustertext is a general term for placeholder or template text used to illustrate layout, formatting, or to fill spaces in documents before final content is prepared. It helps designers, editors, and organizations assess how a document will look and read without requiring finished copy. The term combines Muster meaning model or sample and Text meaning text in German.

In practice, Mustertexte appear in office workflows, templates for letters, contracts, forms, and e-mails, as well as in web design and publishing. They are typically neutral, non-specific, and free of sensitive information so they can be safely shown to colleagues, clients, or systems. In web and app design, Mustertexte substitute real content during prototyping to demonstrate typography, length, and flow.

In German-speaking contexts, Mustertexte may be actual language samples or stand-in content, and they are sometimes contrasted with language-neutral filler texts such as Lorem ipsum. They are also used to illustrate boilerplate clauses, standard phrases, and structure in templates for training, documentation, and legal forms.

Limitations include the risk that readers may assume the content is final; therefore Mustertexte should be replaced with authentic text before publication or submission.

See also placeholder text, boilerplate, templates.