Quick setup checklist
Use this checklist to apply sending options correctly when starting a flow manually.
When you manually start a flow, the Flow Start dialog includes several checkboxes called sending options. These options let you control which contacts are included or excluded when the flow starts.
Sending options are available when you:
- Open a flow
- Click the Start button
- View the Flow Start dialog
[CAPTURE: Show the Flow Start dialog with the sending options checkboxes visible.]
What it does: When Active contacts is checked, the flow will start only contacts who have sent a message within a selected timeframe.
You can choose:
- Last 90 days
- Last 180 days
- Last 365 days
This ensures the flow is sent to contacts who are recently engaged.
[CAPTURE: Show the Active contacts checkbox with the timeframe dropdown expanded.]
Tip: Use this option to avoid messaging contacts who may no longer be reachable.
What it does: When Skip contacts currently in a flow is checked:
- Contacts already active in another Messaging flow will be excluded
- Their current flow will not be interrupted
Important: A contact can only be active in one Messaging flow at a time.
[CAPTURE: Show the Skip contacts currently in a flow checkbox selected.]
Tip: If you need to run logic without interrupting contacts, use Background flows instead.
What it does: When Inactive contacts is checked:
- Contacts who have not been in this flow in the last 90 days are allowed to start it
- Contacts who entered the same flow recently are excluded
This prevents contacts from repeatedly re-entering the same flow too frequently.
[CAPTURE: Show the Inactive contacts checkbox enabled in the Flow Start dialog.]
Note: This option applies only to the current flow, not to other flows.
You can select multiple sending options at the same time.
For example:
- Start only active contacts
- Skip contacts already in another flow
- Exclude contacts who ran this flow in the last 90 days
The contact counter at the bottom of the dialog updates in real time to reflect your selections.
[CAPTURE: Show the contact count updating as checkboxes are toggled.]
Sending options help you:
- Avoid interrupting contacts
- Target recently active users
- Prevent repeated participation
- Start flows more precisely and safely
Common Issues
The contact count is lower than expected
Cause: One or more sending options is excluding contacts (for example, contacts are inactive, already in another flow, or recently ran the same flow).
Fix: Toggle one checkbox at a time and watch the contact counter to identify which option is filtering out the most contacts.
Some contacts did not start because they were already in another flow
Cause: Skip contacts currently in a flow was enabled, so contacts active in another Messaging flow were excluded.
Fix: Either wait for contacts to finish their current flow, or use a Background flow if you need non-interruptive processing.
Contacts keep re-entering the same flow too often
Cause: Inactive contacts was not enabled, so recently-started contacts were not excluded.
Fix: Enable Inactive contacts to enforce a 90-day cooldown for this flow’s manual starts.
Older contacts are included even though they are not responding anymore
Cause: Active contacts is not enabled, so the start selection includes contacts regardless of recent activity.
Fix: Enable Active contacts and select an appropriate timeframe (90/180/365 days) to focus on recently engaged contacts.