# Cannot set message reference on message start event

**URL:** <https://forum.flowable.org/t/cannot-set-message-reference-on-message-start-event/6029>\
**Category:** Flowable Engine\
**Created:** [May 15, 2020, 8:01pm UTC](https://forum.flowable.org/t/cannot-set-message-reference-on-message-start-event/6029 "2020-05-15T20:01:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![maratkalibek](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/forum.flowable.org/maratkalibek/32/1602_2.png) [@maratkalibek](https://forum.flowable.org/u/maratkalibek)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 8:01pm UTC](https://forum.flowable.org/t/cannot-set-message-reference-on-message-start-event/6029/1 "2020-05-15T20:01:01Z")

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Hello, during designing a new process in flowable modeler I cannot select message reference for the message start event.

In the properties message reference field for message start event is dropdown, but it should be text.

Is there any setup that must be done before using message references?

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**Author:** ![selkhlifi](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/forum.flowable.org/selkhlifi/32/1816_2.png) [@selkhlifi](https://forum.flowable.org/u/selkhlifi)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://forum.flowable.org/t/cannot-set-message-reference-on-message-start-event/6029/2 "2020-05-18T00:50:36Z")

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This is because the process property “message definitions” is not set

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/flowable/original/2X/0/0461318504be615a7958f21b7dbdae8576d06991.png)

Regards

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![maratkalibek](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/forum.flowable.org/maratkalibek/32/1602_2.png) [@maratkalibek](https://forum.flowable.org/u/maratkalibek)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 2:19pm UTC](https://forum.flowable.org/t/cannot-set-message-reference-on-message-start-event/6029/3 "2020-05-18T14:19:10Z")

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Thanks a lot! Works as expected.