Create a static distribution list

In a static distribution list you manually add contacts and, if required, one or more existing distribution lists. The contacts on the list don’t change unless you manually add or remove them (unlike a dynamic distribution list).

Tip! Want to know which distribution lists a particular contact is on? View the contact's profile and click Map Space. See Copy, move or map contacts.

Enter the list’s basic details

  1. Ensure that the required workspace is on the Workspace toolbar.
  2. Hover your mouse over the workspace to open the Workspace menu.
  3. Under Contact Management click New Distribution List.
    The New Distribution List page opens.
  4. (mandatory) In the Name field enter a name for the list.

    5. Choose a meaningful name. Distribution lists are identified by their name alone, so the name should easily identify the purpose of the list and who might be on it.

    Tip! Make sure you don’t add any spaces at the end of the name and don’t include any special characters (for example, & or _).

  5. In the Description field enter a description for the list.
    It should provide more information about the purpose of the list and its recipients.
  1. In the Type field Static.
  2. In the Access Type for Subscription field select an access type.

Note: The default access type is set by company administrators on the Company Permissions page. See Configure global company permissions.

Access type Description

Open

Active contacts can self-subscribe to the list and also unsubscribe via their company’s Whispir contact portal

By Approval

Active contacts can self-subscribe but must first receive approval from a company administrator. See Approve pending distribution list subscription requests

View Only

Active contacts can view the distribution list but can’t subscribe. They can only be added by users

Restricted

The distribution list is completely hidden from active contacts – they won’t see it in their company’s Whispir contact portal
  1. If you selected Open, By Approval or View Only, you now need to select an option in the new field beside the Access Type for Subscription field.
Option Description
Private

Only contacts in the same workspace as the distribution list can subscribe
Public

Contacts from any workspace can subscribe.

Note: If the contact is not already in that workspace, they will be automatically mapped to it as part of the subscription process
  1. If you want the distribution list’s location to display on the Whispir map (if the Maps module has been enabled) click the Add a location to this Distribution List link.
    See Add a location to a distribution list for more information.

    2. Tip! To use this setting effectively ensure that all the contacts on the distribution list are actually based in the location you select.

  2. Go to Add contacts to the list.

Add contacts to the list

  1. In the first field in the Add Members section select an option – either Contacts or Distribution Lists.

    2. Note: Each ‘Distribution Lists’ option represents a display order or grouping for the distribution lists when they appear in the pane below the search criteria fields.

Closed(optional) Use search filters to refine your search:

You can use the search filter options in the Add Members section to locate particular contacts:

  1. Select a search filter option from the drop-down list and type a term in the field beside it.
    For example, select Role and then type ‘trainer’ in the field next to it to find contacts who are trainers.
  2. To help you further refine your search you can add more search criteria:
    • click filter button to display another filter field. Select the check box beside it to indicate you want to apply this criterion.
    • Click plus button to add more fields and select your criteria.
  3. Click Search.

Tip! You can add multiple terms, separated by commas, to the search field beside the drop-down list. For example, entering ‘Tinh, Bill, Sue’ when you select First Name returns contacts with these first names, as well as names starting with these letters.

add members to distribution list
  1. Select the contacts or distribution lists in the left pane and click Add To List to add them to the pane on the right.
    (Press and hold the CTRL key to select multiple separate entries, or press and hold the SHIFT key to select a block of entries.)
  2. To remove a contact or a distribution list from the right pane select them and click Remove From List.
  3. If you’ve added individual contacts and you now want to add one or more distribution lists (or vice versa), repeat Step 1 but this time select the other option and then go to Step 2.
  1. Go to Save your distribution list.

Save your distribution list

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click Add Escalation List if you want to define an escalation path for the list. See Add and edit person-to-person escalations.
    • Click Save to finalise your list and view it on the Distribution List page.
    • Click Save and Add More to save your list and open a new blank form to create another distribution list.

Related links

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