# Create an account and sign in

## Why this matters

Messages are sent and charged through your ExcelSend account, and your account's country decides which sending options you get. The add-in stays signed in for each workbook, so you usually only do this once per file.

## Before you start

[Install ExcelSend](/docs/getting-started/installation/) and open it from **Home** → **Send SMS**.

## Create an account

1. In the ExcelSend pane, under "Don't have an account?", click **Register here**.
2. Complete the registration form in the ExcelSend portal that opens.

You can also register directly at [portal.excelsend.com/Account/registerex](https://portal.excelsend.com/Account/registerex).

## Sign in

1. In the ExcelSend pane, click **Sign In**.
2. Either enter your **Email Address:** and **Password:**, or, under "Alternatively, provide your Access Key", enter your **Key:**.
3. Click **Sign In**.

Once signed in, the top of the pane shows your account name and code, and the sheet and range ExcelSend is reading.

## Sign out

Click **sign out** at the top of the pane. This removes the saved sign-in from the current workbook.

## Common problems

**"Please enter a valid user id" or "Please enter a valid password"**
The email address or password is too short to be valid (under 5 characters). Check what you typed.

**"Authentication failed"**
The email address and password don't match an account. Check them by signing in to the [ExcelSend portal](https://portal.excelsend.com), or [contact us](/contact/).

**"Invalid Key"**
The access key wasn't recognised. Copy it again, making sure there are no spaces at either end.

**I'm asked to sign in again in a different workbook**
The sign-in is saved per workbook. Sign in once in each workbook you send from.

## Related

- [Install ExcelSend](/docs/getting-started/installation/)
- [Send your first message](/docs/getting-started/your-first-message/)
- [The ExcelSend portal](/docs/account/excelsend-portal/)

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Source: https://excelsend.com/docs/getting-started/sign-in/