Overview
Sometimes you don't need a full batch send. You just need to get a single message out the door — a one-off notice, an ad-hoc letter, a quick update to a specific customer — using a template and configuration you've already set up.
That's exactly what the Upload document function is for. You pick a pre-configured Application, fill in the recipient details by hand, optionally attach a file, and trigger a single send. No batch file, no integration call, no template rebuild.
This guide walks you through the whole flow, from enabling the feature on your Application through to clicking Send.
When you'd use this
One-to-one communications where the content is templated but the recipient is unique — things like an individual statement reissue, a single incident notice, a manual follow-up, or a test send to a colleague before a wider campaign goes out.
Enable Add document on your Application
Before the Application shows up in the Upload document picker, you need to switch the feature on. This is a one-time setup per Application, and you'll find it in Basic settings on the Application's Details tab.
The Enable "Add document" setting is a dropdown with three options, so you can choose how the Application behaves when someone uploads a document through it.
Add document options explained
Disabled — the Application won't appear in the Upload document picker at all. Use this when you only want the Application used for batch or API sends.
Archive only — the Application can be used to upload a document for archival purposes, but won't trigger a live send. Handy for record-keeping without dispatching the message.
Send — the Application can be used to upload a document and send it live to a recipient. This is the option you'll want for one-to-one sends.
To switch it on:
- Go to Send > Applications and open the Application you want to use.
- On the Details tab, scroll to Basic settings and find Enable "Add document".
- Set the option to Send.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save.
That's it — your Application is now ready to use for one-to-one sends from the Upload document screen.
Send a single document
With the feature switched on, you can head over to Upload document and put a message together. Start with the document type, then fill in the recipient details, attach anything you need, and preview before sending.
The Add document screen — start here by choosing your Application and Channel.
- In the left menu, click Upload document.
- Under Application, select the Application you want to send from. Only Applications with Add document enabled will appear in this list.
- Under Channel, choose how the message should be delivered (for example, Email).
- In the Fields section, fill in the recipient details for this send — things like First Name, Last Name, Company Name, and Email. The exact fields you see depend on how the Application is configured.
- If you need to include a file with this email, scroll to the Attachments panel and click Browse to pick one or more files from your computer.
- Click Preview to review the message before it goes out.
A note on attachments
Files you add here are attached to this individual document only — they're not stored on the underlying template, so they won't carry over to other sends. Handy when the attachment is one-off (an updated policy PDF, a single customer's statement, an incident report).
Preview and send
The preview screen is your final check before the message goes out. It shows you exactly who the email is going to, the subject line, any attachments, and confirms nothing has been sent yet.
- Review the From, To, Subject, and Attachments details to make sure everything looks right.
When you're happy, click Send to dispatch the document.
If you spot something that needs changing, close the preview and head back to the form to update the details.
Heads up on preview links
Online view and unsubscribe links won't work in preview mode. If you need to test those, send the document to your own email address first rather than relying on the preview window.
Once you've clicked Send, the document is on its way and will appear in your reporting alongside any other sends from this Application.
Good to know
A few things worth keeping in mind when you're using this feature:
It's for one-to-one sends. The Upload document flow is built for individual messages — ad-hoc notices, incident updates, single customer correspondence. If you're sending the same message to a list of recipients, you'll want to use a batch upload instead.
Check your security settings if the content is sensitive. If the attachment contains personal or confidential information, make sure the Application has the right authentication options switched on (for example, requiring recipients to authenticate before viewing attachments). Those settings live in the Security / data retention section of the Application.
Sends still show up in reporting. Even though this is a single send, it'll appear in Send Activity just like any other communication — so you can confirm delivery, opens, and clicks.