> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ownchat.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ownchat.app/bot/ask-action/ask-order.md).

# Ask Order

The **Ask Order** action allows the chatbot to collect **product or service order details from users** during a conversation.

This action enables customers to **select items directly from a product catalog**, confirm quantities, and submit their order within the chatbot interface.

The selected product details are captured and stored in a variable, allowing the system to process orders automatically and continue the workflow.

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmmaa0dj97maydtfh1e74ecod?utm_source=link>" %}

### **When to Use Ask Order**

Use the **Ask Order** action when the chatbot needs to **collect product selections from a catalog**.

**Common Use Cases**

* Restaurant food ordering
* E-commerce product purchases
* Service bookings with package options
* Menu-based ordering systems
* Product selection during checkout

Example interaction:

Bot: Order your favorite food now!\
Please select the items you would like to order from our menu catalogue.\
\
User: Selects items from catalog

The chatbot captures the selected products and order details.

### **How to Add Ask Order**

Follow these steps to add the Ask Order action to your bot workflow.

* Open **Bot Builder**
* Click **Add Node**

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmp6tzy69005e1t0jzaydqezj?utm_source=link>" %}

* Select the **Ask** tab
* Choose **Ask Order**

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmp6u1if502a31q0j7c5ti1my?utm_source=link>" %}

* Configure the required fields
* Click **Create**

Once created, the chatbot will prompt users to select items from the configured catalog.

### **Ask Order Configuration**

When creating an Ask Order action, several configuration fields must be completed.

#### **Action Name**

The **Action Name** identifies the order collection step within the bot workflow.

This name is visible only inside the bot builder.

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmp6u4lu502yjzx0jn7jhqn51?utm_source=link>" %}

Example:

Collect Customer Order\
Food Order Selection\
Product Order Capture

In the walkthrough example, the action name is **"Collect the order."**

#### **Message**

The **Message** field contains the prompt displayed to users.

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmp6uakxm02b11q0jhithtmch?utm_source=link>" %}

Example:

🍔 Order Your Favorite Food Now!\
\
We're ready to serve you 😊\
\
Please select the items you would like to order from our menu catalogue below.\
\
🔗 View Full Menu Here:\
<https://wa.me/c/919876543210>\
\
Select the products and confirm the quantity to continue.

This message instructs users how to choose items from the catalog.

The message supports:

* Dynamic variables
* Text formatting
* Emojis

Variables can be inserted using the **Add Variable** option.

#### **Error Attempt**

The **Error Attempt** field defines how many invalid attempts are allowed.

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmp6ue0sp02bk1q0jdwktmoqm?utm_source=link>" %}

Example:

Error Attempt: 3

If the user does not select items properly, the chatbot triggers the configured **Action on Invalid** behavior.

#### **Error Message**

The **Error Message** is displayed when the user submits an invalid order response.

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmp6uh6w90001350j6f4h83y7?utm_source=link>" %}

Example:

Please select items directly from the catalogue to place your order.

This helps guide users to select products correctly.

#### **Action on Invalid**

This setting defines how the chatbot behaves when the user exceeds the allowed number of invalid attempts.

Available options include:

**End the Flow**

Stops the chatbot conversation.

**Skip the Question**

Allows the chatbot to continue without collecting order details.

**Fall Back Flow**

Redirects the user to another predefined flow.

### **Store Response in Variable**

The **Store Response in Variable** option saves the order details collected from the catalog.

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmp6uibsk02bm1q0jjrkmhe68?utm_source=link>" %}

Example variable:

ordered\_details

The walkthrough shows creating a variable such as **ordered\_details** to store the order response data.

#### **Creating a New Variable**

If a variable does not already exist:

* Click **Create New Variable**.
* Enter a variable name.

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmp6uk3dc031w3x0jf2gcuyts?utm_source=link>" %}

Example:

ordered\_details

* Select the variable in the **Store Response** field.
* Click **Create** to save the configuration.

### **Data Captured by Ask Order**

When a user places an order, the chatbot captures structured order details, including:

* Selected product name
* Quantity
* Product price
* Currency
* Total order value

The **diagram on page 15** shows that these values are captured in a structured format for further processing in the workflow.

### Save and Deploy &#x20;

After configuring the action:

1. Click **Create** to add the action to the flow

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmp6ulsfg006u1t0jbsgrsqha?utm_source=link>" %}

2. Connect the node appropriately
3. Click **Publish** to deploy the configuration

### **Example Ask Order Interaction**

Example chatbot conversation:

Bot: Order your favorite food now!\
Please select the items you would like to order from our menu catalogue.\
\
User: Selects Pizza (2) and Burger (1)

The chatbot stores the order details in the variable:

ordered\_details

and continues the workflow.

### **Best Practices**

Follow these recommendations when using Ask Order.

**Provide clear ordering instructions**

Explain how users should select products from the catalog.

**Include a catalog link**

Provide a direct menu or product catalog link when needed.

**Use meaningful action names**

Clearly label the order collection step.

**Provide helpful error messages**

Guide users when incorrect responses occur.

**Store order data properly**

Save order details in variables for processing.

### **Summary**

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmp6un5m202z5zx0jp1z6tmep?utm_source=link>" %}

The **Ask Order** action enables chatbots to **collect product orders directly from a catalog** during conversations.

With Ask Order, you can:

* Allow customers to select products within the chatbot
* Capture product selections and quantities
* Store order details in variables
* Validate order inputs
* Automate order processing workflows

This feature helps businesses **streamline product ordering and improve customer purchasing experiences through chatbot automation**.