# Send your first message

## Why this matters

Sending a small test to yourself and a colleague is the quickest way to see the whole cycle (compose, preview, send, refresh) before you send to a real list.

## Before you start

- You're [signed in](/docs/getting-started/sign-in/).
- Check [where ExcelSend works](/where/) for your country. If replies aren't available you'll need an approved Sender ID first; see [Replies and Sender IDs](/docs/sending/replies-and-sender-ids/).

## Steps

1. Make a new sheet with these headers in row 1: `firstName`, `mobile`. Add two rows below with your name and mobile number and a colleague's.
2. Click a single cell in the sheet, then click **Send SMS** on the **Home** tab.
3. On the **Send New** tab, check **Mobile number field:** shows `mobile`. ExcelSend picks a column headed `mobile` or `phone` automatically.
4. Under **Replies:**, choose **Allow replies** if it's offered. Otherwise choose **Use a Sender Id**.
5. Leave **Send When:** on **Now**.
6. Tick **Add report fields to spreadsheet**.
7. In **Text Message**, type `Hi `, then choose `firstName` from the **merge field** list, then type `, this is a test from ExcelSend. Please reply OK.`
8. Click **Create Preview**. Check both messages have the right name and number and show "Ok".
9. Tick "I accept some or all messages are large and will cost extra" if it's shown, then click **Send messages**.
10. When "Job #N has been queued" appears, click **Ok**. ExcelSend adds the report columns to your sheet.
11. Reply to the message from your phone. After a minute or two, open the **Reports** tab and click **Refresh**.

The `exs_` columns now show that each message was sent, its status and, in `exs_reply`, your reply.

## Common problems

**Create Preview stays greyed out**
It needs a mobile number field, a message, a valid date and a replies option. See [Preview and send](/docs/sending/preview-and-send/).

**"No Send Rows"**
Every row already has a job reference in `exs_jobReference`, so there's nothing new to send. Add new rows, or clear that column for rows you want to send again.

**Refresh does nothing**
Refresh doesn't run while several cells are selected. Click a single cell and try again.

## Related

- [Prepare your spreadsheet](/docs/sending/prepare-your-spreadsheet/)
- [Merge fields](/docs/sending/merge-fields/)
- [Refresh reports](/docs/replies-and-reports/refresh-reports/)

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Source: https://excelsend.com/docs/getting-started/your-first-message/