Creating a Distribution List for Notifications

What's my access level?

Access Level: Administrator

This article is intended for users with Administrator access in Suitable. If you don’t have this role, some of the steps outlined below may not be available in your account.

Ineligible Roles: Student, Contributor, Advisor, and Publisher

Need to send a notification to a specific group of students? Follow the steps below to create a distribution list.

Keep in mind... 

A distribution list sends your message only to the students it is meant for, such as one class year, students who have not finished an activity, or a list you upload. Lists work for push notifications, email notifications, and both.

Note: Save a list before you create the notification. You choose the list under Would you like to send this to all students? when you create a notification.

How to build a distribution list with filters: 

1. Navigate to Notifications on the left sidebar, then select the Distribution Lists tab.
2. In the Distribution List Builder, open the Based on.. drop-down and choose a filter. Depending on your institution, the options include:
   • Achievement progress percentage less than, equal to or more than a value you choose
   • Students based on engagement status
   • Students who have completed an activity
   • Students who haven't completed an activity
   • Students in select cohorts
   • Your institution's student data filters, such as class standing
   • Custom student list (see below)
3. Complete the second drop-down that appears. For example, choose the activity or the cohorts.
4. To narrow the list further, select the button and add another filter. Each filter narrows the list. It does not add more students.

5. Enter a descriptive name for the list in the Name field.
6. To check who is on the list, select Preview List. To clear every filter and start over, select Reset Form.
7. Select Save Distribution List.

How to build a distribution list from your own student list: 

1. On the Distribution Lists tab, open the Based on... drop-down and choose Custom student list.
2. Select Download Custom Student List Template, then add the students you want to reach, following the instructions in the file.
3. Upload your completed file.
4. Enter a name for the list, then select Save Distribution List.

How to find your saved lists: 

1. Scroll to Created Distribution Lists at the bottom of the Distribution Lists tab.
2. Use the drop-down to show lists created By Anyone or By Me .
3. Select the three dots on a list to edit, export, or delete it. Learn more in Editing and Deleting a Distribution List.

Good to know 

You can reuse a saved list for as many notifications as you like. If you later edit a list that a scheduled notification uses, Suitable asks you to confirm with Approve and Save Edits, because that notification will go to the updated list.

Get more from Suitable 

Send your first targeted message. Learn how in Creating and Sending a Notification.

If you have additional questions, chat with us below or send us an email at support@suitable.co.