--- title: "Message Start Event" slug: "message-start-event" updated: 2026-05-15T13:24:21Z published: 2026-05-15T13:24:21Z canonical: "docs.processmaker.com/message-start-event" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.processmaker.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Message Start Event A Message Start Event object starts a Request for a Process when it triggers from a specific message. The Message Start Event object listens for a message from a specified source. The purpose of the message transfer is to send data from one Pool object's Request data to another Pool object within the same Process model, thereby using the sent Request data to start a Request for the receiving Pool object; each Pool object represents its own Request with its own distinct Request data. A [Message Flow](/v1/docs/message-flow-element) object can connect from the object sending the message to the Message Start Event object. A Process model can have multiple Message Start Event objects. The message may originate from any of the following: - **Intermediate Message Throw Event object:** An [Intermediate Message Throw Event](/v1/docs/intermediate-message-throw-event) object sends a message to the Message Start Event. Use this functionality to start a different Process's Request while the Request that sends the message is in progress. If the Message Start Event object is in the same Process model as the Intermediate Message Throw Event object for which it listens for its message, these objects must be in separate [Pool](/v1/docs/configure-pool-and-lane-objects#add-a-pool-element-to-the-process-model) objects since each Pool object has its own Request. - **Message End Event object:** A [Message End Event](/v1/docs/message-end-event) object sends a message to the Message Start Event. Use this functionality to start a different Process's Request when the Request that sends the message completes. If the Message Start Event object is in the same Process model as the Message End Event object for which it listens for its message, these objects must be in separate Pool objects. - **Third-party service:** A third-party service such as a CRM may send a message via [our API](https://docs.processmaker.com/apidocs/start-a-new-process) to the Message Start Event, thereby starting a Request. A Message Start Event object functions as follows during a Request: 1. The Message Start Event object listens for a message based on that message's name. The message name is a placeholder for the message. 2. The Intermediate Message Throw Event object or Message End Event object triggers. 3. That triggering object sends its message containing Request data to the Message Start Event object. 4. If the message name matches that for which the Message Start Event object is listening, then that object triggers, thereby starting the Request. Otherwise, the message is ignored. --- ## Add a Message Start Event to a Process **Permissions** Your user account or group membership must have the following permissions to configure a Message Start Event object in the Process model unless your user account has the **Make this user a Super Admin** setting selected: - Processes: Edit Processes - Processes: View Processes See the [Process](/v1/docs/permission-descriptions-for-users-and-groups#processes) permissions or ask your Administrator for assistance. Add a Message Start Event object from one of the following locations in Process Modeler: - **Object Panel:** Located to the left of the Process Modeler, the Object Panel contains various process modeling objects. - **Object Bar:** Located at the bottom of the Process Modeler, the Object Bar contains [pinned](/v1/docs/process-modeler#pin-and-unpin-objects) Process modeling objects for quick access. Add from the Object panelAdd from the Object bar Follow these steps to add a Message Start Event from the Object panel to the Process model: 1. Ensure that the Object panel is visible. If not, click the **Add** icon ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/1a76eda2-90eb-4585-be38-c6e1c99c9d4e.png) from the Object bar at the bottom. 2. Click the **Start Event** object ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/6197f440-33d9-4adf-b431-f505a9fb032e.png) from the Object panel to select it. 3. Click the location in the Process model to place this object. If your process has a Pool object, the object cannot be placed outside of the Pool. 4. Click the **Objects** drop-down menu, and then select the **Message Start Event** option. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/d28dd994-e248-43be-a872-3b6d33035117.png) The Message Start Event object displays. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/6333224a-1e56-422f-b90b-71e65c8c35f3.png) Follow these steps to add a Message Start Event object from the Object bar to the Process model: 1. Ensure that the object is pinned to the Object bar. If not, [see instructions to pin it](/v1/docs/process-modeler#pin-and-unpin-objects). 2. In the Object bar at the bottom center, click the object's icon. 3. Click the location in the Process model to place this object. If your process has a Pool object, the object cannot be placed outside of the Pool. 4. Click the **Objects** drop-down menu, and then select the **Message Start Event** option. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/d28dd994-e248-43be-a872-3b6d33035117.png) The Message Start Event object displays. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/6333224a-1e56-422f-b90b-71e65c8c35f3.png) **Adjust location and appearance** - [Move a Process Model Object.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#move-process-model-objects) - [Connect Two Process Model Objects with a Sequence Flow Element.](/v1/docs/sequence-flow-element#connect-two-process-model-objects-with-a-sequence-flow-element) - [Customize the Appearance of a Process Model Object.](/v1/docs/customize-the-appearance-of-a-process-model-object) - [Copy Process Model Objects into the Clipboard.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#copy-process-model-objects-into-the-clipboard) - [Clone Process Model Objects Without the Clipboard.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#clone-process-model-objects) - [Delete Process Model Objects.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#delete-process-model-objects) ## Replace a Message Start Event Object with a Different Starting Request Event Object After a Message Start Event object is [added to a Process model](/v1/docs/message-start-event#add-a-message-start-event-element), you may replace it with a different starting Request event object: - [Start Event](/v1/docs/start-event) object - [Start Timer Event](/v1/docs/start-timer-event) object - [Signal Start Event](/v1/docs/signal-start-event) object - [Conditional Start Event](/v1/docs/conditional-start-event) object The selected Message Start Event object is replaced by the default settings and color of the replacing object. Follow these steps to replace a Message Start Event object with a different Start-type event object: 1. Select the Message Start Event object to change to another Start-type event object. Available options display above the selected object. 2. Click the **Objects** icon. The **Objects** drop-down menu displays the Start-type event objects. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/f365ab1c-924b-40bf-b25e-9b78174f387b.png) 3. Select the **object** to replace the Message Start Event object. The **Change Type** screen displays to confirm replacing the currently selected object. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/1f840e92-8c3e-48a9-9f33-0e96c81335c7.png) 4. Click **Confirm**. The new object replaces the Message Start Event object with its default settings and color. --- ## Settings The Message Start Event object has the following panels that contain settings: - [**Configuration**](/v1/docs/message-start-event#configuration-panel-settings) panel - [**Documentation**](/v1/docs/message-start-event#documentation-panel-settings) panel - [**Advanced**](/v1/docs/message-start-event#advanced-panel-settings) panel --- ### Configuration Panel Settings The Message Start Event object has multiple settings in the **Properties** panel: #### Edit the Object Name An object name is a human-readable reference for a Process object. Process Modeler automatically assigns the name of a Process object with its object type. However, an object's name can be changed. Follow these steps to edit the name for a Message Start Event object: 1. Select the Message Start Event object from the Process model in which to edit its name. 2. Ensure that the **Configuration** panel displays. If not, [show it](/v1/docs/show-configuration-settings-for-a-process-model-object). The **Name** setting displays. This is a required setting. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/d1e5c140-834d-4349-91cf-ba5d68b664af.png) 3. In the **Name** setting, edit the selected object's name and then press **Enter**. #### Select the Object from Which to Listen for a Message An Message Start Event object starts a Request when that object receives a message from either an Intermediate Message Throw Event object or a Message End Event object (but not both) located in a different Pool object than the Message Start Event object receiving the message. After the Message Start Event object receives its message, that object triggers. Select from which object to listen for a message based on the Intermediate Message Throw Event or Message End Event object's **Message Name** setting value. Follow these steps to select from which object to listen for a message to trigger the Message Start Event object: 1. Select the Message Start Event object from the Process model in which to select the Process model object from which to listen for a message. 2. Ensure that the **Configuration** panel displays. If not, [show it](/v1/docs/show-configuration-settings-for-a-process-model-object). Panels to configure this object display. 3. Expand the **Configuration** panel if it is not presently expanded and then locate the **Listen For Message** setting. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/34bdd3b6-87b3-40ff-9843-0b42ca01852b.png) 4. From the **Listen For Message** drop-down menu, select from which object to listen for a message based on its **Message Name** setting value. --- ### Documentation Panel Settings Describe the object's purpose and how it functions in the Process. This description does not affect Requests for the Process, but may be useful for Process model maintenance such as how the object is configured. Edit information by using the What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) rich text editor. A Process's entered documentation displays by selecting the [**View Documentation** icon for that Process](/v1/docs/view-documentation-for-a-process). #### Edit the Object Documentation Follow these steps to edit the description for an object: 1. Select the object from the Process model in which to edit its description. 2. Ensure that the **Configuration** panel displays. If not, [show it](/v1/docs/show-configuration-settings-for-a-process-model-object). Panels to configure this object display. 3. Expand the **Documentation** panel if it is not presently expanded. The **Description** setting displays. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/89097766-6673-4c17-89c0-ad9dfd097bac.png) 4. In the **Description** setting, edit the information to display when viewing documentation for this object and then press **Enter**. Alternatively, use the What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) rich text editor to stylize your text by clicking the **More** icon ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/25ba6607-796e-4fb0-a393-fd5ff13801e5.png). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/2e6ab195-ae84-4e51-91c1-f51901d6979d.png) Follow these guidelines to use the WYSIWYG rich text editor to stylize your text: - **Undo changes:** Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/82b95720-2347-4fc7-a686-7db2789b3a15.png)icon to undo the last action. - **Redo changes:** Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/6a2eade4-a95c-4aaa-833e-faf2085275bf.png)icon to redo the last undone action. - **Insert/Edit Link**: Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/0a6f7db7-020e-4ace-ab73-38768ab1cafe.png)icon to convert the selected text into a hyperlink. Follow these steps to create a hyperlink: 1. Select the required text from the Rich Text control. 2. Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/0a6f7db7-020e-4ace-ab73-38768ab1cafe.png)icon. The **Insert/Edit Link** screen displays. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/51646210-bd2d-4abb-be4a-6c83d21e3f38.png) 3. In the **URL** setting, enter the destination URL. 4. In the **Text to display** setting, edit or enter the text displayed in the Rich Text control. 5. In the **Title** setting, enter the text to display when a user hovers over the displayed text. 6. From **Open link in…** drop-down menu, select one of these options: - **New window**: Select this option to open the destination page in a new browser window. - **Current window**: Select this option to open the destination page in the current browser window. - **Insert/Edit Image:** Click on the **Insert/Edit Image** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/d278ce80-4e5f-4a25-8259-a378469e8017.png)to insert an image. Follow these guidelines: 1. Click on the **Insert/Edit Image** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/d278ce80-4e5f-4a25-8259-a378469e8017.png). 2. The **Insert/Edit Image** screen displays: ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/2e7ef77e-9276-495b-b697-9b267998c805.png) 3. In the **Source** setting, enter a URL for the image. 4. In the **Alternative Description** setting, enter the text to display if the source URL of the image is not accessible. 5. In the **Width** setting, enter the maximum width for the image. 6. In the **Height** setting, enter the maximum height for the image. 7. Toggle the **Constrain Proportions** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/2dc03dd8-ad0a-441a-b3f3-ee0b91b7237d.png)to maintain the width-height ratio of the image to its original proportion. 8. Click **Save**. - **Insert Page Break for PDF:** Click on the **Insert Page Break for PDF** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/01500cd4-ead1-423d-813d-4bc4e4024feb.png)to insert a page break when a PDF document is created for this documentation if your browser supports this feature. - **Format text**: Follow these guidelines to format text: - **Headings**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Headings** and then select a heading size. - **Bold:** Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, select the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/eb65021e-df73-41c0-8477-b43496246d26.png)icon. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Bold**. - **Italics:** Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, select the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/9c316009-0761-4d23-9cf4-a854f95a8243.png)icon. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Italic**. - **Underline**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Underline**. - **Strikethrough**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Strikethrough**. - **Superscript**: From the **Paragraph/** **Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Superscript**. - **Subscript**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Subscript**. - **Code**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select Inline and then **Code**. - **Paragraph**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Blocks** and then **Paragraph**. - **Blockquote**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Blocks** and then **Blockquote**. - **Division**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Blocks** and then **Div**. - **Preformatted**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Blocks** and then **Pre**. - **Change text color**: Use the **Text Color** drop-down to change text color. Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/9b86a8d8-00fb-4277-ab63-c289f995a3d8.png)icon. The color palette displays. Do one of the following: - Select one of the color swatches from the color palette. The selected text changes to that color. - Click the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/7a1afb43-d6b8-4387-87b3-47d36bf90c17.png)icon to select a custom color from the **Color Picker**. - Click the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/d415e3a3-57ed-4eb3-b02b-d73cf49dd11b.png)icon to reset the text to its default color. - **Align text**: Follow these guidelines to align text: - **Left align:** Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/2ebc4dd1-927e-4a0b-8923-501d00e11536.png)icon to left-align text. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Align** and then **Left**. - **Center align:** Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/3afa3e02-7de3-458d-8e9e-7f25366bff1b.png)icon to center-align text. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Align** and then **Center**. - **Right align**: Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/6cc254b5-b698-4a69-a6e3-4be7072e97bd.png)icon to right-align text. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Align** and then **Right**. - **Justify**: Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/6d881598-560e-435b-b9ee-ad3ec9391f88.png)icon to justify text. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Align** and then **Justify**. - **Insert a bullet list**: Use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/d823be68-27e5-4194-b953-c69353fbb4b3.png)icon to format text as a bulleted list. - **Insert a numbered list:** Use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/0e3dd4c2-b0ee-4c74-9bc2-1872e5cfeee1.png)icon to format text as a numbered list. - **Indent text**: Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/b728d118-24b7-416e-9cc2-7c1a532a345d.png)icon to increase text indenting. - **Outdent text:** Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/fbfd076e-0625-43bf-89ca-f9c183e6aa89.png)icon to decrease text indenting. --- ### Advanced Panel Settings #### Edit the Node's Identifier Value Process Modeler automatically assigns a unique value to each Process node added to a Process model. However, a node's identifier value can be changed if it is unique to all other nodes in the Process model, including the Process model's identifier value. > [!NOTE] > All identifier values for all nodes in the Process model must be unique. Follow these steps to edit the identifier value for a Message Start Event object: 1. Select the Message Start Event object from the Process model in which to edit its identifier value. 2. Ensure that the **Configuration** panel displays. If not, [show it](/v1/docs/show-configuration-settings-for-a-process-model-object). Panels to configure this object display. 3. Expand the **Advanced** panel if it is not presently expanded. The **Node Identifier** setting displays. This is a required setting. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/62bb07ec-c739-4008-b02a-d5c506a82eb4.png) 4. In the **Node Identifier** setting, edit the Message Start Event object's identifier to a unique value from all nodes in the Process model and then press **Enter**.