---
title: "TextLink - TextLink Setup"
canonical: "https://support.crosslinktax.com/space/CSC/1869295110/TextLink%20-%20TextLink%20Setup"
format: markdown
---
> ℹ️ As a CrossLink customer, you have the option to use Gmail or an SMTP server to send text messages and emails to taxpayers using TextLink.
> 📝 *Your customer must have a text messaging plan on their cell phone to receive your message(s). Standard text messaging rates apply.*
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### **How to Activate Textlink**
**Follow the instructions below to successfully activate TextLink:**
1. Open CrossLink 1040.
2. Click on **Setup** > **Office Setup**.
3. Select the **TextMsg/Email** tab.
4. Click the** Activate TextLink/Email **button.
5. Click **Ok** as prompted until you have returned to the **TextMsg/Email** tab.
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### **How to Configure Textlink**
**Follow the instructions below to successfully configure TextLink:**
If using Gmail:
> 📝 *You may use an existing Gmail account or you can create a new one.*
1. Select **Setup **> **Office Setup**.
2. Click the **TextMsg/Email** tab.
3. Click **Register for a FREE Google eMail account**.
A browser will open displaying the Gmail account creation webpage. If an existing account is to be used, skip to step 5.
4. Follow the steps given on the Gmail webpage to create an account.
5. In the **Email** box, type in your** Gmail e-mail address**.
6. In the **Password** box, type in your **Gmail password**.
7. For CrossLink 2021 and above, the **Server URL** and **Server Port** fields are required. For CrossLink 2020 and below, they can be left blank and you can skip to step 10.
8. In the **Server URL** box, type in **smtp.gmail.com**.
9. In the **Server Port** box, type in **587**.
10. Click **OK** to close the save changes and close the setup screen.
#### If you are using an **SMTP** server:
1. Select **Setup** > **Office Setup**.
2. Select the **TextMsg/Email** tab.
3. In the **Email** box, type in your **email address**.
4. In the **Password** box, type in your **email password**.
5. In the **Server URL** box, type in your **SMTP server's URL address**.
6. In the **Server Port** box, type in your **server's SMTP port number**.
7. Click **OK** to close the save changes and close the setup screen.
---
**How to Test TextLink**
**Follow the instructions below to successfully test TextLink:**
**Method 1 - Send a Text Message**
To verify that TextLink is working properly it is recommended to send a sample text message to a cell phone. To do this, follow these steps:
> 📝 *For CrossLink 2021 and above, skip to ****Method 2**** instead. Text messages for these years did not require the TextLink email setup.*
1. Start a new tax return or open an existing one.
2. Click **Client Data** on the **Attached Forms** pane.
3. Under **Taxpayer Information** type in the **recipient’s cell phone number** in the **Cell field**.
4. Select the **Text Message** check box.
5. Click the **Cell Phone Carrier** box and click **Choices**.
6. Select the **appropriate cell phone provider** and click **Ok**.
7. Click the **Send Text** button on the toolbar.
8. In the **Text Messaging Option** type in a **test text message** and click **OK**.
9. In the **Text Confirmation** window click **Yes**.
10. The text message should be received on the selected cell phone momentarily.
**Method 2 - Send an Email**
1. Start a new tax return or open an existing tax return.
2. Click **Client Data** on the **Attached Forms** pane.
3. Under the Taxpayer Information type in the **recipient's email address** in the **E-Mail field**.
4. Make sure the return is clear of all fatal errors.
5. Click the **Print** button from the **Tax Return Toolbar**.
6. Click the **Email** button from the **Print Final Return** window.
7. Leave the password as is in the **PDF Password** window and click **OK**.
8. On the **Email Doc** window, under the **Email Attachment Password** section checkmark the **Taxpayer** box.
9. Click **OK**.
10. This will email a copy of the tax return to the recipient's email.