Short Code Characters

Last Updated : Aug 30, 2026 |
The short code fields Short Code and Telephone Number can contain the normal dialable digits *, # and 0 to 9. In addition they can also use a range of special characters as listed below.

Short Code Field Characters

Description
?
Default Match
This character can be used on its own to create a short code match in the absence of any other short code match.
?D
Default Number Dialing
This character combination makes a call to the defined phone number as soon as the user goes off-hook.
?D(t)
Default Number Dialing Timeout
The character x represents time in seconds. If a phone is off-hook or speaker is enabled and no number is dialed for t seconds, the phone makes a call to the defined phone number. A maximum of 30 seconds is used for t though system accepts values more than 30 on the interface.
F
Failed Authentication
Match incoming SIP calls which failed authentication. See SIP Calling Number Verification (STIR/SHAKEN).
N
Match Any Digits
Matches any dialed digits (including none). The Dial Delay Time or a following matching character is used to resolve when dialing is complete.
P
Authenticated
Match incoming SIP calls which were authenticated. The character can be followed by the required attestation level or levels in " " quote marks. See SIP Calling Number Verification (STIR/SHAKEN).
Q
Unauthenticated
Match incoming SIP calls which were not authenticated. See SIP Calling Number Verification (STIR/SHAKEN).
X
Match a Digit
Matches a single digit. When a group of X's is used, the short code matches against the total number of X's.
[ ]
Secondary Dial Tone Trigger
For pre-4.0 IP Office systems used to trigger secondary dial tone. Not used for Release 4.0+. See Secondary Dial Tone.
;
Receive Sending Complete
When used this must be the last character in the short code string.
  • If the Dial Delay Count is 0, a ; instructs the system to wait for the number to be fully dialed, using the Dial Delay Time or the user dialing #, to indicate completion and then acting on the short code.
  • If the Dial Delay Count is not zero, the dialing is only evaluated when # is pressed. The majority of North-American telephony services use en-bloc dialing. Therefore the use of a ; is recommended at the end of all dialing short codes that use an N before routing those calls to a trunk or ARS. This is also recommended for all dialing where secondary dial tone short codes are being used.

Telephone Number Field Characters

Description
A
Allow Outgoing CLI
Allow the calling party number sent with the call to be used. This character may be required by service providers in some locales.
C
Use Called Number Field Place any following digits in the outgoing call's Called number field rather than the Keypad field.
D
Wait for Connect
Wait for a connect message before sending any following digits as DTMF.
E
Extension Number
Replace with the extension number of the dialing user. Note that if a call is forwarded this will be replaced with the extension number of the forwarding user.
h
Hold Music Source
When used as part of the short code telephone number field, this character allows the source for music on hold to be selected. Enter h(X)where X indicates the required hold music source if available. This overrides any previous hold music selection that may have been applied to the call.
  • For IP500 V2 systems, the value of X can be 1 to 4.
  • For systems on a Linux based server, the value of X can be 1 to 32.
  • When used with Park Call short codes, the h(X) should be entered before the park slot number part of the telephone number.
I
Use Information Packet
Send data in an Information Packet rather than Set-up Packet.
K
Use Keypad Field
Place any following digits in the outgoing call's Keypad field rather than the Called Number field. Only supported on ISDN and QSIG.
l
Last Number Dialed (lower case L)
Use the last number dialed.
L
Last Number Received
Use the last number received.
N
Dialed Digit Wildcard Match
Substitute with the digits used for the N or X character match in the Short Code number field.
p
Priority
The priority of a call is normally assigned by the Incoming Call Route or else is 1-Low for all other calls. Dial Extn short codes can use p(x) as a suffix to the Telephone Number to change the priority of a call. Allowable values for x are 1, 2 or 3 for low, medium or high priority respectively.
In situations where calls are queued, high priority calls are placed before calls of a lower priority. This has a number of effects:
  • Mixing calls of different priority is not recommended for destinations where Voicemail Pro is being used to provided queue ETA and queue position messages to callers since those values will no longer be accurate when a higher priority call is placed into the queue. Note also that Voicemail Pro will not allow a value already announced to an existing caller to increase.
  • If the addition of a higher priority call causes the queue length to exceed the hunt group's Queue Length Limit, the limit is temporarily raised by 1. This means that calls already queued are not rerouted by the addition of a higher priority call into the queue.
r
Ring Tone Plan
When used as part of the short code telephone number field, this character can specify a Ring Tone Plan number. Enter r(X)where X is 1 to 8 indicating the Ring Tone Plan number to use.
S
Calling Number
Place any following digits into the outgoing call's calling number field. Using S does not alter any allow or withhold CLI setting associated with the call, the short code characters A or W should be used respectively.
  • On mobile twinned calls, if the original party information is used or a specific calling party information CLI is set, that number overrides setting the outgoing CLI using short codes.
  • Note that for SIP trunks, the SIP URI configuration options override this setting.
Other:
  • Changing the outgoing CLI for calls requires the line provider to support that function. You must consult with your line provider before attempting to change the outgoing CLI, failure to do so may result in loss of service. If changing the outgoing CLI is allowed, most line providers require that the outgoing CLI used matches a number valid for return calls on the same trunks. Use of any other number may cause calls to be dropped or the outgoing CLI to be replaced with a valid number. On mobile twinned calls, if the original party information is used or a specific calling party information CLI is set, that number overrides setting the outgoing CLI using short codes.
SS
Pass Through Calling Number
Pass through the Calling Party Number. For example, to provide the incoming ICLID at the far end of a VoIP connection, a short code ? with telephone number .SS should be added to the IP line.
i
National
Both the S and SS characters can be followed by an i, that is Si and SSi. Doing this sets the calling party number plan to ISDN and number type to National. This may be required for some network providers.
t
Allowed Call Duration
Set the maximum duration in minutes for a call plus or minus a minute. Follow the character with the number of minutes in brackets, for example t(5).
U
User Name
Replace with the User Name of the dialing user. Used with voicemail.
W
Withhold Outgoing CLI
Withhold the sending of calling ID number. Operation is service provider dependent.
Y
Wait for Call Progress Message
Wait for a Call Progress or Call Proceeding message before sending any following digits as DTMF. For example, the Y character would be necessary at a site where they have signed up with their telephone service provider to withhold international dialing until a DTMF pin/account number is entered that initiates the call progress/proceeding message.
Z
Calling Party Name
This option can be used with trunks that support the sending of name information. The Z character should be followed by the name enclosed in " " quotation marks. Note that their may be name length restrictions that vary between line providers. The changing of name information on calls being forwarded or twinned may also not be supported by the line provider.
@
Use Sub Address Field
Enter any following digits into the sub-address field.
.
Dialed Digits
Replace with the full set of dialed digits that triggered the short code match.
,
One Second Pause
Add a one second pause in DTMF dialing.
;
Receive Sending Complete
When used this must be the last character in the short code string. If the Dial Delay Count is 0, a ; instructs the system to wait for the number to be fully dialed, using the Dial Delay Time or the user dialing #, to indicate completion and then acting on the short code. If the Dial Delay Count is not zero, the dialing is only evaluated when # is pressed.
" "
Non-Short Code Characters
Use to enclose any characters that should not be interpreted by the IP Office as possible short code special characters. For example, characters being passed to the voicemail server for interpretation there.
  • Ensure you use straight quotation marks like "…" when entering short codes into the IP Office configuration. Various editing, publishing and copying tools often replace those with angled or smart-quotes such as “…‟.
Related links
Short Code Overview