# CreateSmsConversation()

Creates an SMS conversation with a contact.

:::important
You can only use this AMPscript function in MobileConnect.

You can’t use this function with conversation-based templates, including Double Opt-In and Info Capture templates.
:::

## Availability

<table>
  <tr>
    <td>Marketing Cloud Engagement</td>
    <td>✅ Yes</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Marketing Cloud Next</td>
    <td>❌ No</td>
  </tr>
</table>

## Syntax

```
CreateSmsConversation(originationNumber,
                      destinationNumber,
                      nextKeyword,
                      app)
```

The `CreateSmsConversation()` function has four parameters:

- `originationNumber` (string): Required. The phone number (such as a short code or long code) used in MobileConnect.
- `destinationNumber` (string): Required. The contact’s phone number, including the country code.
- `nextKeyword` (string): Required. The string to set as the next conversation keyword.
- `app` (string): Required. The application used in the conversation. Specify `MOBILECONNECT` for this parameter. Any other value results in an error.

## Usage

Use this function to initiate an SMS conversation with a contact. To use the function, pass it your short or long code, the contact's phone number, the keyword to use for the conversation, and the string `MOBILECONNECT`.

```
%%=CreateSmsConversation("12345",MOBILE_NUMBER,"KEYWORD","MOBILECONNECT")=%%
```

:::note
This function always returns `true` if successful, and an exception if it fails. For this reason, we recommend against using this function for decision making.
:::