--- title: Custom Message description: A Custom Merge message is a group message with customizable fields that allow you to personalize each message to the individual receiving it. --- [Skip to content](https://help.textrequest.com/custom-merge#main-content) [![favicon-256.png\]](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/favicon-256.png?width=30&height=30&name=favicon-256.png)](https://help.textrequest.com/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Back to textrequest.com](https://www.textrequest.com/) [Back to textrequest.com](https://www.textrequest.com/) Hi! How can we help you today? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Text Request Help Center](https://help.textrequest.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Messages](https://help.textrequest.com/messages?hsLang=en) 3. [Group Messages](https://help.textrequest.com/messages?hsLang=en#group-messages) # Custom Message ## Custom Message (formerly Custom Merge) uses a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlsx file) to send a group message with customizable fields. This allows you to personalize each message to the individual receiving it. Custom Message is great for setting up appointments for different individuals or sending personalized invitations to an upcoming event. For instance, you could have a **Merge Field** for the contact's first name and the date of their appointment. It would look like this: *Hi \[First Name\]! Quick reminder about your cleaning appointment on \[Date\]. Please confirm, or let us know if you need to reschedule.* But it would send like this: *Hi Katherine! Quick reminder about your cleaning appointment on Dec. 4. Please confirm, or let us know if you need to reschedule.* #### **To start a new Custom Message:** **1.** Go to **Group Messages** under **Messages**.  **2.** Click **New Custom Message**.  **3.** Upload the file of contacts you want to message. ![Upload Merge Message 2 Final](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Help%20Center/Upload%20Merge%20Message%202%20Final.gif?width=688&name=Upload%20Merge%20Message%202%20Final.gif) **4.** Confirm you [have permission to message the contacts](https://help.textrequest.com/getting-permission-to-text-someone?hsLang=en) and click **Next**. **5.** Compose the message you want to send (including any pre-saved signatures, templates, images, or scheduled time you want to add). **6.** Click on a **Merge Field** to insert that column's information into your message. ![Compose Merge Message 2 Final](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Help%20Center/Compose%20Merge%20Message%202%20Final.gif?width=648&name=Compose%20Merge%20Message%202%20Final.gif) **7.** Click **Next** and we will scan your message to make sure it won’t be [flagged for spam](https://help.textrequest.com/anti-spam-recommendations?hsLang=en). **8.** Click **Continue** when the scan is complete.  **9.** Review your message, then click **Send**.  ![Send Merge Message Final](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Help%20Center/Send%20Merge%20Message%20Final.gif?width=648&name=Send%20Merge%20Message%20Final.gif)   **Note:** Pay attention to the [character counter](https://help.textrequest.com/message-character-count?hsLang=en) below your message. Whenever you add a **Merge Field**, the average character count for that column is added to your character count. The final, actual number of characters and texts sent may be different than stated.   ### How do you format a file for a Custom Message? Uploaded files must be a **.csv** or **.xlsx** **file**. For best results, follow the guidelines below: - Column headers need to be in the first row. - Phone numbers need to be in the first column.  - Blank fields will result in an error message while uploading. - Column headers cannot contain any special characters.    ![contact-list](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/contact-list.png?width=688&name=contact-list.png)   ![](https://www.textrequest.com/media/4144/group-merge-format.png?width=494&height=358) - [Basics](https://help.textrequest.com/basics?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Account Essentials](https://help.textrequest.com/basics?hsLang=en#account-essentials) - [Profile Settings & Preferences](https://help.textrequest.com/basics?hsLang=en#profile-settings-preferences) - [Messages](https://help.textrequest.com/messages?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Conversations](https://help.textrequest.com/messages?hsLang=en#conversations) - [Messaging Features](https://help.textrequest.com/messages?hsLang=en#messaging-features) - [Group Messages](https://help.textrequest.com/messages?hsLang=en#group-messages) - [Sequences](https://help.textrequest.com/messages?hsLang=en#sequences) - [Peer to Peer](https://help.textrequest.com/messages?hsLang=en#peer-to-peer) - [Contacts](https://help.textrequest.com/contacts?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Individual Contacts](https://help.textrequest.com/contacts?hsLang=en#individual-contacts) - [Groups](https://help.textrequest.com/contacts?hsLang=en#groups) - [Managing Contacts](https://help.textrequest.com/contacts?hsLang=en#managing-contacts) - [Payments](https://help.textrequest.com/payments?hsLang=en) - [Settings](https://help.textrequest.com/settings?hsLang=en) - [Reports](https://help.textrequest.com/reports?hsLang=en) - [Integrations](https://help.textrequest.com/integrations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Text Request Extras](https://help.textrequest.com/integrations?hsLang=en#text-request-extras) - [Third-Party Integrations](https://help.textrequest.com/integrations?hsLang=en#third-party-integrations) - [Mobile App](https://help.textrequest.com/integrations?hsLang=en#mobile-app) - [Users](https://help.textrequest.com/users?hsLang=en) - [Dashboards](https://help.textrequest.com/dashboards?hsLang=en) - [Account](https://help.textrequest.com/account?hsLang=en#main-content) - [10DLC Registration](https://help.textrequest.com/account?hsLang=en#10dlc-registration) - [Reviews](https://help.textrequest.com/reviews?hsLang=en) [![TR Esendex Footer](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Help%20Center/TR%20Esendex%20Footer.png?width=225&height=45&name=TR%20Esendex%20Footer.png "TR Esendex Footer")](https://www.textrequest.com) Copyright © 2026, Text Request