---
title: Notifications and Messages
description: "How to use the bell (notifications) and envelope (messages) icons at the top of the screen. ## Notifications (Bell) The **bell** shows system notifications, such as a record that couldn't be saved. The bell turns orange when there's a new…"
url: "https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/notifications-and-messages/"
updated: "2026-10-30"
category: "Navigation & Accessibility"
---

# Notifications and Messages

How to use the bell (notifications) and envelope (messages) icons at the top of the screen.

## Notifications (Bell)

The **bell** shows system notifications, such as a record that couldn't be saved. The bell turns orange when there's a new notification.

Click the bell to open the notification panel. Each notification shows where it came from, the time and the details (1). Click **Download** to save the notifications to a file (useful when reporting a problem to Symbiant Support), or **Clear** to remove them (2).

![The notification panel with a Validation Failure](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/notifications-and-messages-02-bell-panel-v2.png)

See [System Error Messages](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/system-error-messages/) for what common notifications mean.

## Messages (Envelope)

Click the **envelope** (1) to see your latest messages. Click **Inbox** (2) to open all of them.

![The messages panel](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/notifications-and-messages-03-envelope.png)

In the inbox:

- Use **Show** (1) to see **All**, **Unread** or **Flagged** messages.
- Your messages are listed on the left (2). Click one to read it on the right.
- Use the icons at the top right (3) to write a new message (pencil) or close the inbox.

![The message inbox](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/notifications-and-messages-04-inbox.png)

## Writing a Message

1. In the inbox, click the **pencil** icon.
2. Fill in **To**, **Cc** and **Bcc** (1), the **Subject** and your message (2).
3. Click the **send** arrow (3).

![Writing a new message](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/notifications-and-messages-05-compose.png)

**Note:** Emails that Symbiant sends automatically, such as action reminders, are set up by your administrator and arrive in your normal email inbox.

## Related Articles

- [System Error Messages](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/system-error-messages/)
- [System Navigation Overview](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/system-navigation-overview/)