Send one-off messages to clients or other parties directly from the eCourtDate dashboard, saving time and improving your communication workflow.

### Overview

The **Send a Message** form on the eCourtDate dashboard lets you quickly send a message to any client, phone number, or email address without navigating away from the main screen. This feature is ideal for sending quick reminders, follow-ups, or ad-hoc communications that do not require a scheduled auto message. Any user with the appropriate permissions can use this form to reach clients in just a few clicks.

### Prerequisites

Before sending a message from the dashboard, make sure you have:

- Super Admin or Admin privileges on your eCourtDate agency
- At least one active agency phone number or email configured under **Admin** > **Settings** > **Agency Phones** or **Agency Emails**
- The recipient's phone number, email address, or client record already in the system

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Open the Send a Message Form

1. Log in to your eCourtDate account.
2. Navigate to the **Dashboard** tab in the top navigation.
3. Locate the **Send a Message** form on the dashboard.

![dashboard send one-off message](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ecdassets/images/articles/dashboard-send-one-off.png)

#### Step 2: Enter the Recipient

1. Enter a phone number, email address, or client name in the **To** field.
2. Select the matching contact from the dropdown if one appears.

#### Step 3: Compose Your Message

1. Enter your message content in the message body field.
2. If you are sending to an email address, enter a **Subject** line.
3. Attach files by clicking the attachment option if needed. You can attach multiple files to a single message.
4. To schedule the message for a future date/time or add merge tags, click the **Options** button.

![send a message form filled out](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ecdassets/images/articles/dashboard-send-message-form-content.png)

#### Step 4: Send the Message

1. Review your message content and recipient information.
2. Click **Send Message** to deliver the message.

### What to Expect

Once you click **Send Message**, the message is queued for delivery to the recipient's phone number or email address. The sent message will appear in the **Messages** tab on your dashboard for future reference. Delivery typically occurs within a few seconds, though scheduled messages will be sent at the date and time you specified.

### Best Practices

- Double-check the recipient's phone number or email address before sending to avoid misdirected messages.
- Use merge tags (available under **Options**) to personalize messages with client-specific details like names or case numbers.
- Keep messages concise and include a clear call to action so recipients know what to do next.
- Schedule messages during business hours to improve response rates.
- Attach relevant documents (court forms, appointment details) to reduce follow-up communications.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Can I schedule messages to be sent later from the dashboard?**
A: Yes. Click the **Options** button on the message form to select a future date and time for delivery.

**Q: Can I send a message to multiple recipients at once from the dashboard?**
A: The dashboard message form is designed for one-off messages to a single recipient. To send messages to multiple recipients at once, use the **Bulk Actions** feature in the top navigation.

**Q: What file types can I attach to a dashboard message?**
A: You can attach common file types such as PDF, PNG, JPG, and DOCX. File size limits are determined by your agency's configuration.

**Q: Will the recipient see my agency phone number or email as the sender?**
A: Yes. The message is sent from your agency's configured phone number or email address, so recipients will see your agency as the sender.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** The message fails to send or shows an error.
**Symptoms:** You click **Send Message** but receive an error notification, or the message does not appear in the **Messages** tab.
**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. Ensure you have the required permissions (Super Admin or Admin role).
4. 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.

**Issue:** Scheduled message was not delivered at the expected time.
**Symptoms:** The message shows as sent but the recipient did not receive it at the scheduled time.
**Solution:**

1. Confirm the scheduled date and time were set correctly in the **Options** panel.
2. Check the message status in the **Messages** tab for any delivery errors.
3. Verify the recipient's contact information is still valid and has not opted out.

### Related Articles

- [How to Send a One-off Message](/how-to-send-a-one-off-message)
- [How to Duplicate a Message](/how-to-duplicate-a-message)
- [How to Create an Auto Message](/how-to-create-an-auto-message)
- [How to Manage Agency Phone Numbers](/how-to-manage-agency-phone-numbers)