Quickly duplicate an existing message in eCourtDate to reuse its content for a different recipient, saving time when you need to send similar communications to multiple clients.

### Overview

The message duplication feature in eCourtDate lets you create a copy of any existing message and send it to a new recipient. Instead of retyping the same content, you can duplicate a message in just a few clicks, edit the content if needed, and deliver it to another client. This is especially useful when you need to send the same information (such as court reminders, appointment details, or follow-up instructions) to multiple people. Any user with access to the **Messages** tab can use this feature.

### Prerequisites

Before duplicating a message, make sure you have:

- An active eCourtDate account with access to the **Messages** tab
- At least one existing message in your message history to duplicate
- The recipient's phone number, email address, or client record available

If you do not have an existing message, see [How to Send a One-off Message](/how-to-send-a-one-off-message) to create one first.

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Open the Original Message

1. Navigate to the **Messages** tab on the **Dashboard**.
2. Click on the message you want to duplicate to open its details.

#### Step 2: Click Duplicate

1. Locate the **Duplicate** button on the message detail screen.
2. Click **Duplicate** to open the duplication form.

![duplicate message button](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ecdassets/images/articles/message-duplicate-button.png)

#### Step 3: Configure and Send the Duplicated Message

1. Enter the phone number, email address, or client name in the **To** field.
2. Review and edit the message content as needed.
3. If sending to an email address, enter a **Subject** line.
4. Attach additional files if needed, or remove existing attachments.
5. To schedule the message for later delivery or add merge tags, click the **Options** button.
6. Click **Send Message** to deliver the duplicated message.

![duplicate message window options](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ecdassets/images/articles/duplicate-message-window.png)

### What to Expect

Once you click **Send Message**, the duplicated message is queued for delivery to the new recipient. The message is treated as a separate, new message and will not appear in the original message thread. Delivery follows the default delay time configured for your agency.

### Best Practices

- Review and customize the duplicated message content before sending to ensure it is relevant to the new recipient.
- Use merge tags (available under **Options**) to automatically personalize the message with client-specific details.
- Double-check the recipient's contact information to avoid sending messages to the wrong person.
- Use the scheduling option under **Options** when you want to deliver the message at a specific time.
- Keep your message history organized so you can easily find messages worth duplicating.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Will the duplicated message appear in the same message thread as the original?**
A: No. The duplicated message is treated as a completely separate, new message. It will not be linked to the original message thread.

**Q: Can I edit the content of a duplicated message before sending it?**
A: Yes. After clicking **Duplicate**, you can freely edit the message body, subject line, attachments, and scheduling options before sending.

**Q: Is there a limit to how many times I can duplicate a message?**
A: No. You can duplicate any message as many times as you need. Each duplication creates an independent new message.

**Q: Can I duplicate a message and send it to multiple recipients at once?**
A: The duplication form sends to one recipient at a time. To send to multiple recipients, duplicate the message once for each recipient, or consider using **Bulk Actions** for larger sends.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** The Duplicate button is not visible on the message detail screen.
**Symptoms:** You open a message but do not see a **Duplicate** button.
**Solution:**

1. Verify you have the appropriate user role and permissions to send messages.
2. Make sure you have fully opened the message detail view (not just the message preview).
3. If the button is still not visible, contact your agency administrator to check your permissions.

**Issue:** Duplicated message fails to send.
**Symptoms:** You click **Send Message** but receive an error, or the message does not appear in your message history.
**Solution:**

1. Verify the recipient's phone number or email address is entered correctly.
2. Check that your agency has an active phone number or email configured under **Admin** > **Settings** > **Agency Phones** or **Agency Emails**.
3. If the issue persists, sign in to eCourtDate and create a ticket by clicking the ticket button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

### Related Articles

- [How to Send a Message From the Dashboard](/how-to-send-a-message-from-the-dashboard)
- [How to Send a One-off Message](/how-to-send-a-one-off-message)
- [How to Create an Auto Message](/how-to-create-an-auto-message)