Format a Variable
The Format a Variable action allows chatbot builders to convert and format variable values into a clean and readable structure during chatbot workflows.
This utility action is commonly used for formatting date variables, especially when converting system-generated ISO date formats into user-friendly formats such as DD/MM/YYYY.
The walkthrough demonstrates configuring variable formatting settings, selecting input and output date formats, creating variables, and publishing the updated bot workflow.
When to Use Format a Variable
Use the Format a Variable action when your chatbot needs to display data in a cleaner or more readable format.
Common Use Cases
Formatting delivery dates
Formatting appointment schedules
Converting ISO date formats
Displaying readable customer dates
Standardizing workflow outputs
Example Interaction
Bot: Your appointment is scheduled on 25/03/2026.
The chatbot converts a raw ISO date value into a user-friendly format before displaying it.
How to Add Format a Variable
Follow these steps to add the Format a Variable action to your bot workflow.
Open Bot Builder
Drag and drop the Format a Variable node
Open the Utilities tab
Select Format a Variable
Configure the formatting settings
Select or create a response variable
Click Create
Click Publish to deploy the workflow
The walkthrough shows the Format a Variable node connected after a Get Dynamic Date action.
Accessing the Utilities Section
To access the Format a Variable action:
Drag the output connector from the previous node.
Open the action selection panel.
Click the Utilities tab.
The Utilities section contains workflow automation and formatting actions.
Selecting Format a Variable
Inside the Utilities tab:
Locate Format a Variable
Click the action to open the configuration panel.
The walkthrough highlights the Format a Variable utility action within the Utilities section.
Format a Variable Configuration
When configuring the Format a Variable action, several fields must be completed.
Action Name
The Action Name identifies the formatting action inside the workflow.
This name is visible only within the bot builder.
Example
Format Delivery Date Format Appointment Date Convert Date Format
The walkthrough demonstrates entering a descriptive action name before saving the configuration.
Date to be Formatted
The Date to be Formatted field specifies the variable that contains the original date value.
To configure:
Click Add Variable
Select the required variable from the list
The walkthrough specifically selects:
delivery_date
from the variables list.
The selected variable is inserted into the field as:
{{variables.delivery_date}}
This variable contains the original date value that will be formatted.
Input Format
The Input Format field defines the format of the incoming date value.
To configure:
Click the Input Format dropdown.
Select the appropriate format.
Available formats shown in the walkthrough include:
MM/DD/YYYY
DD/MM/YYYY
ISO DateTime with Millis (Z)
The walkthrough specifically selects:
ISO DateTime with Millis (Z)
for the incoming date format.
Output Format
The Output Format field defines how the formatted date should appear after conversion.
To configure:
Open the Output Format dropdown.
Select the preferred output format.
The walkthrough specifically selects:
DD/MM/YYYY
for the final formatted appointment date.
Store Response To
The Store Response to field defines where the formatted value should be saved.
To configure:
Click the Store Response to dropdown.
Select an existing customer field or create a new variable.
The walkthrough demonstrates storing the formatted date in:
corrected_date
Creating a New Variable
If a variable does not already exist:
Click Create Variable
Select the variable type
Click Create Variable to finalize the configuration
The walkthrough demonstrates selecting:
Number
as the variable type before creating the new variable.
Creating the Action
After configuring all formatting settings:
Review the selected formats and variables.
Click the Create button.
The Format a Variable node will now be added to the workflow.
Workflow Behavior
Once triggered, the Format a Variable action:
Converts raw variable values
Formats date variables automatically
Standardizes chatbot output formats
Stores the formatted result in a variable
Improves readability for customers
The walkthrough specifically notes:
We use the Format a Variable action to convert or change the format of a variable dates into a clean and readable format. https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmpav3eah060kz80j5046ou8m?utm_source=link
Publishing the Bot Changes
After configuring the action:
Review the workflow setup.
Click the Publish button. https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmpav9bny07jnxa0jbfmlsbur?utm_source=link
Deploy the updated bot workflow to production.
The final page of the walkthrough demonstrates publishing the workflow successfully.
Example Workflow
Example Chatbot Workflow
Get Dynamic Date ↓ Format a Variable ↓ Store Response → corrected_date ↓ Send Appointment Confirmation
Example Interaction
Raw Date: 2026-03-25T10:30:00.000Z Formatted Date: 25/03/2026
The chatbot converts the raw ISO date into a clean and readable format before sending it to the customer.
Best Practices
Follow these recommendations when using Format a Variable.
Use readable output formats
Choose date formats that are easy for customers to understand.
Match the correct input format
Ensure the input format matches the original variable structure.
Use descriptive variable names
Store formatted outputs in clearly named variables.
Standardize date formats
Maintain consistent formatting across chatbot workflows.
Test formatting before publishing
Verify that the converted values display correctly.
Summary
The Format a Variable action allows chatbot builders to convert and standardize variable formats inside chatbot workflows.
With Format a Variable, you can:
Convert raw date formats
Display readable appointment or delivery dates
Standardize chatbot output values
Store formatted values in variables
Improve chatbot response readability
This utility action helps businesses create clean, user-friendly chatbot responses and maintain consistent data formatting throughout Ownchat workflows.
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