If you already have an SPF record on file with your domain host and need to add another, don't create a second record. Domain hosts can only hold one SPF record. Instead, merge the two into a single record so all of your senders stay authorized.
Why you can only have one SPF record
Your domain host can only have one SPF record. Having two risks your emails not being delivered, since email providers won't know which record to trust.
If you're not sure what an SPF record is or how Dubsado uses one, see SPF records for an overview. When you need to authorize an additional sender (like Dubsado) and an SPF record already exists for your domain, you merge the two into one rather than creating a second. This is a DNS standard that applies to every domain host, not a Dubsado-specific behavior, and Dubsado doesn't edit your DNS records for you.
Parts of an SPF record
It helps to know how an SPF record is structured so you can identify it and find the part that needs to change. Here's an example of what an SPF record might look like:
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
Every SPF record starts with v=spf1. This is how email servers identify the record as an SPF record. Every SPF record ends with ~all or -all.
You can only have one v=spf1 and one ~all (or -all) in a record. The part in the middle is what gets merged. In the example above, the middle part is include:_spf.google.com.
Merge multiple SPF records into one
Log into your domain host and find the DNS settings page. Look for the section listing your TXT records. SPF records usually appear under the Value or Data field.
You can merge up to 10 lookups, or entries, into a single SPF record.
As an example, say you already have this SPF record in your DNS settings:
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
Now you want to add Dubsado as an authorized sender:
v=spf1 a:spf.dubsado.com ~all
To merge the two, combine both values into a single record:
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com a:spf.dubsado.com ~all
Save your changes.
DNS changes don't take effect immediately. Propagation can take up to 48 hours for the merged record to update across the internet.
The merge pattern works the same way no matter what mechanisms your existing record uses. A few more examples:
v=spf1 a:spf.dubsado.com ip4:192.168.0.1 ~all
v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:_spf.google.com ~all
FAQ
How do I find Dubsado's SPF value?
Dubsado's SPF mechanism is a:spf.dubsado.com, so a record containing only Dubsado's value would read v=spf1 a:spf.dubsado.com ~all. You can also find this value in Dubsado under Messages ➔ Settings (or Settings ➔ Emails), in the Email deliverability section under Sender Policy Framework (SPF). You'll need settings access to view this page.
How do I know if I already have an SPF record?
Check the TXT records on your domain host's DNS settings page. Any TXT value that begins with v=spf1 is an SPF record. If you find one, merge your new value into it rather than creating a second record.