Ask Date
The Ask Date action allows the chatbot to collect a date input from the user during a conversation.
This action is commonly used for scheduling tasks such as appointments, bookings, or events. It ensures that the user provides a date in the correct format and within the allowed range.
The selected date is stored in a variable and can be used later in the chatbot workflow for scheduling, confirmations, or automation.
When to Use Ask Date
Use the Ask Date action when the chatbot needs to collect a specific date from the user.
Common Use Cases
Appointment booking
Event registration
Delivery scheduling
Reservation dates
Service booking
Example interaction:
Bot: Please provide your preferred appointment date. User: 25/03/2026
The chatbot captures the date and stores it for further workflow processing.
How to Add Ask Date
Follow these steps to add the Ask Date action to your bot workflow.
Open Bot Builder
Click Add Node
Select the Ask tab
Choose Ask Date
Configure the required fields
Click Create
Once added, the chatbot waits until the user provides a valid date input.
Ask Date Configuration
When creating an Ask Date action, several configuration options must be completed.
Action Name
The Action Name identifies the action within the bot workflow.
This name is visible only inside the bot builder.
Example:
Scheduling a Doctor Appointment Select Delivery Date Choose Booking Date
Message
The Message field contains the question shown to the user.
Example:
Hello 👋 We are excited to schedule your doctor appointment. Please provide your preferred appointment date in the format: DD-MM-YYYY.
The message supports:
Dynamic variables
Text formatting
Emojis
Variables can be inserted using the Add Variable option.
Date Format
The Date Format option defines the format users must follow when entering the date.
Available formats include:
DD/MM/YYYY
MM/DD/YYYY
ISO DateTime with Milliseconds
Example:
DD/MM/YYYY
This ensures the system captures the date correctly.
Error Attempt
The Error Attempt field defines the number of invalid responses allowed.
Example:
Error Attempt: 3
If the user exceeds the allowed attempts, the chatbot follows the configured Action on Invalid.
Error Message
The Error Message appears when the user enters an invalid date.
Example:
Oops! It seems the date you entered is not in the correct format. Please enter the date in DD/MM/YYYY format.
This helps guide users toward the correct input format.
Action on Invalid
This option determines what happens when the user exceeds the allowed number of invalid attempts.
Available options include:
End the Flow
Stops the chatbot conversation.
Skip the Question
Continues the workflow without collecting the date.
Fall Back Flow
Redirects the user to another predefined chatbot flow.
Validation Settings
The Validation Setting ensures the selected date falls within a defined range.
When enabled, you can specify:
Start Date
Defines the earliest acceptable date.
Example:
Start Date: 02/03/2026
End Date
Defines the latest acceptable date.
Example:
End Date: 31/03/2026
This ensures users select dates within the allowed timeframe.
Store Response in Variable
The Store Response in Variable option saves the selected date.
Example variable:
appointment_date
This stored value can be used for:
Appointment scheduling
Order tracking
Event management
Automated reminders
Example Ask Date Interaction
Example chatbot conversation:
Bot: Hello 👋 We are excited to schedule your doctor appointment. Please provide your preferred appointment date. User: 31/03/2026
The chatbot stores the response in the variable:
appointment_date
and continues to the next step in the workflow.
Best Practices
Follow these recommendations when using Ask Date.
Clearly specify the date format
Users should know the required format before responding.
Use validation ranges
Limit dates to valid booking or service windows.
Provide clear error messages
Help users correct incorrect date formats.
Store date responses
Use variables to reuse the selected date in the workflow.
Personalize messages
Add dynamic variables to improve engagement.
Summary
The Ask Date action allows chatbots to collect valid date inputs from users during conversations.
With Ask Date, you can:
Collect date inputs for scheduling
Define supported date formats
Restrict dates using validation ranges
Handle incorrect inputs automatically
Store date responses for workflow automation
This feature helps businesses manage appointments, bookings, and event scheduling efficiently through chatbot automation.
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