> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.texterchat.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Send a Template to a Broadcast List
> Guide to sending a template message to a broadcast list
After you create and approve your template, it is time to send it. Broadcast sending in Texter lets you reach many recipients at once while keeping the message personal and accurate for each customer.
In this guide, we will go through the exact steps for uploading the customer file, matching variables, and sending safely so the message reaches its destination.
**💡 Strong recommendation:** Always send a test message to your own phone number before a broad customer send, so you can verify that the message and variables look exactly as planned.
💡 **Tip:** If you prefer to see the process visually, there is a detailed video guide at the end of this page.
## 📤 Enter broadcast sending
In the side menu, choose **Template Messages**.
Then choose **Send Messages to Broadcast List**.
### Step 1️⃣: Choose the channel, when shown
If your account has more than one WhatsApp number, the first step is to choose the channel you want to send from.
### Step 2️⃣: Choose the template message
Choose the template you want to send.
You can find the template easily by typing its name in the search bar at the top.
### Step 3️⃣: Attach media
If the template message includes a video, file, or image, add it at this step even if you already added it when creating the template.
After adding the image, it updates in the preview window on the side.
### Step 4️⃣: Choose the reply action
At this step, you decide where the chat will go when the customer replies to your message.
The chat can be routed to:
* 👤 Wait for the agent who sent the message
* 👥 Wait for a specific agent or department
* 🤖 Move to a specific bot step
* ✅ Resolve the chat
**Note:** This setting is first configured when the template message is created, so the default choice from template creation is shown here first.
This step gives you the opportunity to change the reply handling for **this specific send**.
### Step 5️⃣: Upload the recipient file, CSV
Here you upload the phone list that will receive the message.
**File format:** The system accepts **CSV UTF-8** files only.
**CSV file structure:**
To let the system correctly match personal details for each customer, such as name, appointment date, or personal link, prepare an Excel file with a precise structure. The file must include a column for phone numbers and additional columns for every variable defined in the template.
Header rules:
**Phone column:** The first column must be named **phone**, in English, lowercase.
**Variable columns:** The following headers should simply be the numbers **1**, **2**, **3**, and so on, according to the variable order in your template.
*Example:* If the template includes the variable \{\{1}}, the data for it should be placed under the column titled **1**.
**⚠️ Note:** Make sure the number of columns in the file exactly matches the number of variables defined in the template. A mismatch will show an error.
**A valid file for a template with 3 variables:**
Possible phone number formats:
"058-6640430"
"0586640430"
"586640430"
"+972586640430"
"972586640430"
"058-664-0430"
Saving the file in the required format:
* 📄 When working in Google Sheets, save as CSV, as shown in the image.
* 📊 When working in Excel, choose **Save As**, then select **CSV UTF-8** as the file type.
### Step 6️⃣: Final confirmation and send
You reached the finish line. This is the final control screen where you verify that everything is correct before the messages are sent.
**What should you check on this screen?**
**Recipient summary:** You can see how many recipients exist in the uploaded file and how many will be skipped automatically, for example recipients who unsubscribed or previously requested removal.
**Personal preview:** Review the message one last time. You can move between recipients and see how the variables from the file are inserted into each customer's message.
**Scheduling, optional:** You can choose to send immediately or schedule the message for later. Scheduling may involve an additional cost.
Review and approve WhatsApp's terms of use by checking the relevant box.
After approval, the **Send** button becomes clickable.
Click **Send**, and the campaign is on its way.
## ⚠️ Common error
"The number of variables in the file is different from the number of variables defined in the selected template."
**Why does this happen?** You selected a file where the number of columns, 1, 2, 3, and so on, is different from the number of variables defined in the template.
**How do you solve it?**
**Fix the file:** Make sure the Excel file has exactly the required number of columns plus the **phone** column.
**Try again:** Click **Try Again** and upload the corrected file.
### ✅ Golden tip: test before you send
Before sending to all customers, send a test to yourself.
1. Prepare a small CSV file that includes your own phone number and the required details.
2. Send the message and verify it looks exactly how you want.
**Important:** You cannot delete or cancel messages after they are sent.
Only after you are happy with the result on your phone should you send the message to the full list.
In the side menu, choose **Template Messages**.
Then choose **Send Messages to Broadcast List**.
### Step 1️⃣: Choose the channel, when shown
If your account has more than one WhatsApp number, the first step is to choose the channel you want to send from.
### Step 2️⃣: Choose the template message
Choose the template you want to send.
You can find the template easily by typing its name in the search bar at the top.
### Step 3️⃣: Attach media
If the template message includes a video, file, or image, add it at this step even if you already added it when creating the template.
After adding the image, it updates in the preview window on the side.
### Step 4️⃣: Choose the reply action
At this step, you decide where the chat will go when the customer replies to your message.
The chat can be routed to:
* 👤 Wait for the agent who sent the message
* 👥 Wait for a specific agent or department
* 🤖 Move to a specific bot step
* ✅ Resolve the chat
**Note:** This setting is first configured when the template message is created, so the default choice from template creation is shown here first.
This step gives you the opportunity to change the reply handling for **this specific send**.
### Step 5️⃣: Upload the recipient file, CSV
Here you upload the phone list that will receive the message.
**File format:** The system accepts **CSV UTF-8** files only.
**CSV file structure:**
To let the system correctly match personal details for each customer, such as name, appointment date, or personal link, prepare an Excel file with a precise structure. The file must include a column for phone numbers and additional columns for every variable defined in the template.
Header rules:
**Phone column:** The first column must be named **phone**, in English, lowercase.
**Variable columns:** The following headers should simply be the numbers **1**, **2**, **3**, and so on, according to the variable order in your template.
*Example:* If the template includes the variable \{\{1}}, the data for it should be placed under the column titled **1**.
**⚠️ Note:** Make sure the number of columns in the file exactly matches the number of variables defined in the template. A mismatch will show an error.
**A valid file for a template with 3 variables:**
* 📄 When working in Google Sheets, save as CSV, as shown in the image.
* 📊 When working in Excel, choose **Save As**, then select **CSV UTF-8** as the file type.
### Step 6️⃣: Final confirmation and send
You reached the finish line. This is the final control screen where you verify that everything is correct before the messages are sent.
**What should you check on this screen?**
**Recipient summary:** You can see how many recipients exist in the uploaded file and how many will be skipped automatically, for example recipients who unsubscribed or previously requested removal.
**Personal preview:** Review the message one last time. You can move between recipients and see how the variables from the file are inserted into each customer's message.
**Scheduling, optional:** You can choose to send immediately or schedule the message for later. Scheduling may involve an additional cost.
Review and approve WhatsApp's terms of use by checking the relevant box.
After approval, the **Send** button becomes clickable.
Click **Send**, and the campaign is on its way.
## ⚠️ Common error
"The number of variables in the file is different from the number of variables defined in the selected template."
**Why does this happen?** You selected a file where the number of columns, 1, 2, 3, and so on, is different from the number of variables defined in the template.
**How do you solve it?**
**Fix the file:** Make sure the Excel file has exactly the required number of columns plus the **phone** column.
**Try again:** Click **Try Again** and upload the corrected file.
### ✅ Golden tip: test before you send
Before sending to all customers, send a test to yourself.
1. Prepare a small CSV file that includes your own phone number and the required details.
2. Send the message and verify it looks exactly how you want.
**Important:** You cannot delete or cancel messages after they are sent.
Only after you are happy with the result on your phone should you send the message to the full list.