Ask Date

Collect and validate date-based information in WhatsApp chatbot flows using the Ask Date action.

Overview

The Ask Date action prompts users to enter a date during a WhatsApp chatbot interaction. This action is useful for collecting date-based information (e.g., booking dates, birth dates) and allows you to specify a date format, validate the response, and store it in a variable for later use.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Compose Your Message:

   • Enter your message in the text field (up to 4096 characters). This message will prompt the user to provide a date.

   • You can format the message to enhance clarity and engagement:

     • Bold: Select the text and click the "B" button to enclose it in double asterisks (*).

     • Italic: Highlight the text and click the "I" button to enclose it in underscores (_).

     • Strikethrough: Select the text and click the "s" button to enclose it in tildes (~).

   • Add emojis by clicking on the emoji icon to make the message more engaging.

2. Adding Variables:

   • Click on the "Add Variables" button to insert dynamic content (such as the user’s name or order details). Choose the appropriate variable from the dropdown list. Tip: Ensure the variable selected contains valid data, or the message may display incorrectly.

3. Date Format (Optional):

   • Define the date format you expect the user to enter. This helps standardize the input and ensures consistency. Example formats include:

     • DD/MM/YYYY

     • MM/DD/YYYY

     • YYYY-MM-DD

   • Inform users of the expected date format in the message to prevent confusion and errors.

4. Error Handling:

   • Error Attempt: This setting defines how many incorrect attempts the user can make when responding with an invalid date or any other input (e.g., an image or text).

   • Error Message: Provide a clear message when the user enters an invalid date. For example, "Please enter a valid date in the format DD/MM/YYYY."

5. Action on Invalid Input:

   • End the Flow: If the user exceeds the maximum allowed error attempts, the chatbot will stop the current flow.

   • Fall Back Flow: Redirect the user to another action by triggering a different flow when the error limit is reached.

   • Skip the Question: If the user consistently provides invalid responses, the bot can bypass this question and continue to the next step in the flow.

6. Validation Settings (Optional):

   • Start Date: Ensure the date entered by the user is after a specific start date. If they enter a date before this, it will be marked as an error, and the error-handling procedure will begin.

   • End Date: Prevent users from entering a date after a specific end date. Any date beyond this point will be considered invalid.

7. Store Response in a Variable (Optional):

   • Store the user’s date response by selecting a bot variable from the dropdown. This allows the date to be referenced later in the conversation or for follow-up purposes. Example: Store the response in a variable like user_date and access it using {variable.user_date}.

Examples

• Date of Birth Collection: "Please provide your date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)."

• Event Booking: "Select a date for your appointment (MM/DD/YYYY)."

FAQs

1. Can users input dates in any format?

   • No, users must enter the date in the specified format, such as DD/MM/YYYY. You can configure the format and validate the input accordingly.

2. What happens if the user enters a date outside the allowed range?

   • The chatbot will treat the input as invalid, send an error message, and follow the configured error-handling procedure.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Date Format Mismatch: If users are entering dates in the wrong format, make sure your message specifies the expected format.

• Invalid Date Range: Ensure that the start and end dates for validation are correctly set to avoid rejecting valid inputs