Using preset SMS messages

Sending Preset SMS messages, like Preset emails, is a great way to save time if you have SMS communications you send repeatedly.

Using preset SMS messages

When composing an SMS there is a Preset SMS option, which only shows if at least one Preset SMS message has been previously prepared. Selecting a Preset SMS from the drop-down list will populate it into the Composer pop-up ready for you to edit further before sending.

Preparing preset SMS messages

You can easily add or manage Preset SMS messages by selecting your user account from the drop-down menu in the top-right corner (located just above Log out). Next, click on the Presets section (note that Administrators will see more sections than Users will see, but both will have a Presets section).

Here you will see a list of Presets that are currently set as visible to you - those previously set as visible to Just Me (i.e. your own presets), those that are visible to you because you are a member of one or more User Groups (i.e. restricted visibility presets) and those that are visible to All user group (i.e. unrestricted presets). To add a new Preset SMS click Add SMS message.

The Add SMS message pop-up opens. Give the preset a suitable Name that you'll easily recognise when you need to select it from a list in the future. Enter the default SMS From, which can be a managed mobile number or a no-reply sender (no spaces). Note the option to restrict preset visibility. By default, Presets are visible to and available for use by All Users. You can optionally restrict visibility to Just Me (the author) or one or more User Groups - see the related support article for further information on Restricting visibility with User Groups. Now you can type your Message, perhaps using Merge Fields for personalisation, or even choose an existing Preset SMS to insert and modify. Click Save when you are done.

Making changes to a preset SMS message, perhaps to amend the visibility or change the message content, works in just the same way. From the Presets list select View or Edit from the preset Actions.

Subject to the visibility restriction settings, the newly created or edited preset SMS is now available for use throughout ChurchSuite anytime you're using the Send SMS option.

You can also Save an SMS message as a Preset when composing - it's often the case that you're typing a message and want to save it and use it again.

Once you've typed your message - and before you click Preview SMS, click Save to add the message being viewed as a new preset, with a new version added (with a sequential number) each time you click Save.

Saved Presets added in this manner are created with default visibility set to Just Me i.e. private. If you wish to make the Preset more widely visible, follow the instructions above to Edit the Preset SMS and amend the Visibility restriction. Click Manage to navigate to the Presets section.

Note: Unlike emails, which have an email Subject, a Preset SMS is saved with a Name comprising the first few words of the message.