---
title: Exclude staff numbers
description: >-
  Add phone numbers to Excluded Phone Numbers so those chats do not get the
  Default Reply.
sidebar:
  order: 3
---
In this tutorial, you will stop the **Default Reply** from sending to staff or your own extra phone.

**Time needed:** 8 minutes

## Before you start

Make sure:

- The account **Default Reply** is **Enabled**.
- You know the staff WhatsApp numbers to skip.

## 1. Open Configure

On the left menu, click **Autoresponder**.

On the account card, click **Configure**.

## 2. Add excluded numbers

Find **Excluded Phone Numbers**.

Enter each number with the country code, no `+`, and no spaces. Separate numbers with a comma.

**Right:** `60123456789, 60198765432`  
**Wrong:** `+60 12-345 6789`

Click **Save**.

<figure class="doc-shot">
  <img class="doc-shot__light" src="/images/features/autoresponder/ar-exclude-light.png" alt="Excluded Phone Numbers field with two sample numbers" width="1216" height="760" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
  <img class="doc-shot__dark" src="/images/features/autoresponder/ar-exclude-dark.png" alt="Excluded Phone Numbers field with two sample numbers" width="1216" height="760" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
  <figcaption>Add numbers separated by commas. Sample numbers shown.</figcaption>
</figure>

## 3. Test from an excluded phone

From one excluded number, send a WhatsApp to the connected account.

That chat should not get the Default Reply.

From a number that is not in the list, send another test. That chat should still get the reply.

## Make sure it worked

This tutorial worked when:

- The excluded numbers are still in the field after **Save**.
- An excluded phone does not receive the Default Reply.
- A normal customer number still does.

## If it didn’t work

### The excluded phone still got the reply

- Check the format: country code, no `+`, no spaces.
- Separate numbers with commas only.
- **Save** again, then send a new test.

**Right:** `60123456789`  
**Wrong:** `012-345 6789`

### You excluded the customer by mistake

Remove that number from **Excluded Phone Numbers** and **Save**.

## Next

Staff numbers are skipped. Next, stop the same person getting the greeting on every message.

[Pause and re-trigger the reply →](/features/autoresponder/pause-retrigger)