The Once-Off Recipients feature lets you send a message to a temporary list of people without adding them as permanent members of your community. This is perfect for reaching people outside your regular database, such as prospective parents at an open day, visiting sports teams, or attendees at a once-off event.

This feature requires activation. Contact support@d6ed.co.za or call 087 820 0088 to request this feature before using it.

Messages → New → Recipients section → Add Once-Off Recipients

How do I send a message to once-off recipients?

1. Open the Message Builder and start creating your message.

2. In the recipients section, click Add Once-Off Recipients.

3. Click Download Template to get the ready-made spreadsheet.

4. Fill in the recipients' details: First Name, Last Name, Phone Number (with country code, e.g. +27123456789), and Email Address. Each person must have at least a phone number or an email address.

5. Save the file as Excel (.xlsx) or CSV (.csv) format. Maximum file size: 10MB.

6. Back in the portal, upload your completed file.

7. Review the imported recipients and check that the details look correct.

8. Close the recipients list and continue composing your message as normal.

System behaviour and restrictions

• Not permanent members: Once-off recipients are not added to your community database. They are for temporary communication only.

• No duplicate sends: If someone appears in both your regular members list and your once-off upload, the system sends them only one message.

• No post-upload edits: You cannot edit individual recipient details after uploading. To make corrections, upload a corrected file instead.

• POPIA / GDPR compliance: Only upload contact details for people who have given you permission to be contacted.

Upload tips

• Use the template: Always use the provided template — do not change the column headings.

• Country codes: Include country codes on phone numbers (e.g. +27 for South Africa).

• Check emails: Double-check email addresses for typos before uploading.

• Supported formats: Only Excel (.xlsx, .xls) or CSV (.csv) files are supported.

Common upload errors and how to fix them

• Invalid file type: Save your file as .csv, .xlsx, or .xls.

• File size exceeds 10MB: Remove extra formatting or blank sheets, or save as CSV to reduce the file size.

• At least one contact method required: Every person must have either an email address or a phone number.

• Import partially successful: Some rows had errors. Fix the flagged rows and re-upload.

• No recipients found: Check that the file has data rows below the header row.

Need help?

Contact the d6 Support Desk: support@d6ed.co.za | 087 820 0088

Frequently asked questions

Are once-off recipients added to my member database?

No. Once-off recipients are used for temporary communication only. They are not added to your community database and will not appear in your Members list.

What happens if someone is in both my member list and the once-off upload?

The system detects the duplicate and sends them only one message. They will not receive the message twice.

Can I edit recipient details after uploading the file?

No. You cannot edit individual details after uploading. If you need to make corrections, upload a corrected file instead.

How do I activate the once-off recipients feature?

Contact the d6 Support Desk at support@d6ed.co.za or call 087 820 0088 to request activation. Once enabled, the Add Once-Off Recipients option will appear in the Message Builder's recipients section.