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How to use item messaging in Dext

Send messages to clients about Costs items in Dext, and learn how clients can respond from the Dext mobile app.

Written by Alexander
Updated today

Item messaging lets accountants and bookkeepers send messages to clients about specific Costs items, without leaving Dext. Clients receive a notification and can respond from the Dext mobile app.

Important: You can only send a message if the document owner has the Dext mobile app installed. If they don't, you'll see "As your client does not have the Dext mobile app, you cannot send messages" on the Messages tab.


Send a message to your client

To send a message to your client about a Costs item, open the item in their account and go to the Messages tab. You can do this from the web app or the mobile app.

From the Dext web app

  1. Open a Costs item in a client account.

  2. Select the Messages tab.

  3. Write your message in the field and select the send button.

Item details page with the Messages tab selected, showing a message being typed in the message field

From the Dext mobile app

  1. Open a Costs item in the client's account.

  2. Select the message icon at the top of the details page.

  3. Write your message and send it.

Mobile item details page showing the message icon at the top

What happens after you send a message

The client receives a:

  • Push notification on their phone (if notifications are turned on for Dext)

  • Notification in the Dext mobile app - they can select the bell icon to open the Communications screen

The item also shows a message icon in their mobile app's Costs inbox.

When the client responds, you'll receive a notification - a pop-up in the web app and a push notification in the mobile app.

Messages tab showing a sent message from the accountant and a reply from the client

Respond to a message from your accountant

When your accountant sends you a message, you'll be notified in 2 ways:

  • A push notification on your phone (if notifications are turned on for Dext)

  • A notification in the Dext mobile app - select the bell icon to open the Communications screen, where you can see all messages and paperwork requests

The item with the message also shows a message icon in your Costs inbox.

To respond, you can either:

  • Open the push notification and select the item, or

  • Open the item from your Costs inbox and select the message icon

Mobile Communications screen with the Messages tab selected, showing an item with an unread message
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