> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.activenow.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.activenow.io/en/communication/sending-sms-and-email-to-participants.md).
# Sending SMS and Email to Participants
Need to inform participants about a new semester sign-up or a cancelled lesson? In ActiveNow you can send an email or SMS to your participants in just a few clicks.
{% hint style="warning" %}
Sending SMS messages requires setting up your sender name first — if you haven't done this yet, you'll find the instructions in the [Setting the SMS sender name](#setting-the-sms-sender-name) section at the bottom of this article.
{% endhint %}
You can send messages from four different places:
* the *Participants* tab
* a specific course view
* a participant's profile
* a specific lesson view
## From the Participants tab
1. Go to the *Participants* tab.
2. Select the participants you want to message using the checkboxes on the left.
3. Click the *Actions* dropdown on the right and choose *Send e-mail* or *Send SMS*.
## From a group course view
1. Open the course from *Calendar* or *Courses* and go to its details.
2. Click *Actions* → *Send e-mail* or *Send SMS*.
## From a participant's profile
1. Go to the *Participants* tab.
2. Click on the participant's name to open their profile.
3. In the top-right corner, click *Actions* → *Send e-mail* or *Send SMS*.
## From a specific lesson
1. Open the lesson from *Calendar* or the *E-register*.
2. Click the *Participants* section and choose *Send e-mail* or *Send SMS*.
{% hint style="info" %}
To send emails, your email client must be configured to work with ActiveNow. If clicking *Send e-mail* does not open a compose window, see the [troubleshooting article](/en/communication/troubleshooting-email-sending.md).
{% endhint %}
## Setting the SMS sender name
The sender field is the name your participants will see when they receive an SMS from you.
Go to *Settings* → *Communication* → *SMS Settings* → *Change*.
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Enter your name**
Type your proposed sender name — maximum **11 characters**, should clearly identify your school.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Verification**
Your request status will change to *Requested — please wait for confirmation*. We have 24 hours to verify it.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Activation**
When the status changes to *Field active*, you'll receive a notification in the bell icon — your sender name is approved and ready to use.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
{% hint style="info" %}
If you'd like to change your sender name, contact us.
{% endhint %}
---
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