A response type is the second key element of a message following the message type. It defines how the user can respond to a bot, be it a full name, a number, an email, etc.
Responses generate variables that contain the user's inputted information. Once generated, they can feature in the text of subsequent messages, determine rules, feature in internal or external documents, or even in notifications.
Response types
All available response types:
- No response
- Text
- Single choice
- SC - Text
- SC - Number
- SC - Date
- SC - Currency
- SC - Percentage
- Single choice scoring
- Multiple choice
- Full name
- Phone number
- Address
- Number
- Date
- Duration
- Currency
- Percentage
- File upload
- API request
[Image: Cursor hovering over multiple response types in the Bot builder]
1. No response
Select this if you do not want a response from the user. It's perfect for making statements before sending another message.
A first message assigned No response might read, "Welcome to our bot! Please answer the following questions." While the second message assigned Full name would read, "What is your name?".
2. Text
Users can write responses using letters, numbers and symbols.
3. Single choice
This requires the user to select one response from a range of options. The responses can be one of the following types:
- Text
- Number
- Date
- Currency
- Percentage
[Image: Cursor hovering over three Single choice - number response types]
4. Single choice scoring
Much like the above, this response type enables users to pick one response from a selection. However, in this case, the builder can assign a numerical value to each choice.
This means that a response entitled 'Good' can be assigned the value '10', whereas a response entitled ‘Needs improvement’ can be assigned the value ‘5’.
[Image: Single choice scoring as displayed in the Edit message tab]
The generated numerical variables can be used later in a calculation or in rules. Qualitative data can be translated into quantitative data in no time, making it a handy feature for checking the health of a business, for example.
Learn how to create calculations here
5. Multiple choice
When multiple things can be selected, choose this response type. Users are able to select multiple responses.
Responses display in one of two ways depending on their volume and size. If there are a few responses, they will appear as pills. If there are more, they will appear in a list. Learn more about the display criteria here.
[Image: Cursor clicking two responses in a multiple choice response type]
6. Full name
Here the user is required to provide both a first and last name.
Note: If a builder would like to use the first and last name as separate variables, we recommend opting instead for the Text response type. The builder can then ask for the first and last names in separate messages and therefore produce two variables.
7. Email address
This requires the user to provide an email address (e.g. name@domain.com).
8. Phone number
This requires the user to enter a telephone number (e.g 44000000000).
9. Address
This requires the user to provide an address.
10. Number
This requires the user to input numeric characters only.
11. Date
Here the user can either choose a date from an interactive calendar or type one out.
Note: The format will match that chosen in Dashboard > My account > My settings > Date format.
Formats include:
- YYYY-MM-DD
- MM/DD/YYYY
- DD/MM/YYYY
- DD Month YYYY
- Month DD, YYYY
[Image: Cursor clicking picking a date from the interactive calendar in the bot UI]
12. Duration
This requires the user to provide you with a duration of time. After choosing either "Days", "Weeks", "Months" or "Years" from a dropdown menu, the user is required to input the numeric value of the duration.
13. Currency
This requires the user to provide you with a currency amount. Much like the Date response, the type of currency will correspond with that chosen in Dashboard > My account > My settings > Currency format.
14. Percentage
The user is able to respond with a percentage figure using numeric characters only.
15. File upload
Here the user can upload a file by either drag and dropping or by clicking the field and choosing from their local files.
[Image: Cursor drops a file into the file upload field in the bot UI]
Note:
- File sizes cannot exceed 32MB.
- Supported file types include PDF, PNG, JPG, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT and PPTX.
- Multiple files can be uploaded simultaneously, so long as they are selected all at once.
- The uploaded files will be accessible internally via the specific interaction in the Activity tab.
16. API request
This response type allows the builder to pull information from a third-party data source to appear within a bot.
Check out our API article for more information.
Up next
Duplicate, cut or copy a message
Link round-up
Sending data to your Josef bot using an API
Related FAQs
Single & multiple choice response display criteria
How can I change the first message of my bot?
Haven't found what you're looking for? Let us know at support@joseflegal.com