# Text the schedule

A text is optional. **Also send a text** stays off until you turn it on, and it appears only when you have texts left. Publishing still does not create pay.

![Text the schedule](/files/help/manager-publish-schedule-2.mp4 "The month is already published. Discard changes is opened, then closed.")

1. Open **Settings**, then **Scheduling**. Under Staff texts, choose **Buy Staff texts**, or **Buy more texts** if a balance is already there.
2. Open **Assign shifts** and choose **Publish** or **Publish updates**.
3. Leave **Email assigned staff** as you want it. Turn on **Also send a text** only if you mean to text assigned people.
4. Choose **Publish** or **Publish updates** in the dialog. The clip does not press it, and it does not turn the text switch on.

## What you should see

The helper under **Also send a text** says how many texts this send uses and how many you have left. Only people with a mobile number on their profile are texted. One text to one person uses 1 from the pack. Longer messages may use 2.

Staff texts on Settings shows the balance after you buy a pack.

## If something looks wrong

**Also send a text** is missing when you have no texts left. Buy a pack under Staff texts, then open the publish dialog again.

The helper says no one to text when no assigned person has a mobile number, or that this send needs more texts than you have left. People without a number are skipped. Email can still go out if **Email assigned staff** is on.