Save chatter information using the Capture block
Overview
The Capture block takes information provided by a chatter and saves it in a variable. You can then use that variable to tailor the chat experience based on the chatter's specific details. This is an important tool for creating real value in your chatters conversations.
Tip
To learn more about variables and how to use them, check out our Variables guide.
Use the Capture block
Insert a Capture block in an Answer when you need to record and work with data directly from the chatter. You can use the variable it creates in a range of other processes. This lets you tailor those processes according to the information from the chatter.
For example:
In a Conditional block to customize responses and actions based on
Transfer data to support ticket fields in a handoff block.
To simply address the chatter by name.
Place the Capture block at a point in an Answer where you need to gather data from the chatter. Keep in mind that the Capture block must always precede any blocks that are to use the variable it creates and populates.
A Capture block can only capture one variable at a time. To capture more than one variable, add a separate Capture block for each.
On the Ada dashboard, go to Build > Answers and open an existing Answer, or create a new one. Drag and drop a Capture block into the Answer editor.
Configure the Capture block using the table below as a guide:
Content
Add a message to this field requesting the information you want to capture
Placeholder Text on the Chat Input
Use this field to customize the placeholder text visible in the message field. Craft a brief instruction or example to help your chatters understand what information they should send.
Validation
Set the type of data the created variable will accept:
Text – A general validation that accepts any character type.
Email – Ensures input is an email address. This also verifies if the domain is valid, such as .com, .ca, etc.
Phone Number – Ensures the correct phone number format is used, including disregarding any alphabetical or special characters.
Number – Ensures only numbers are inputted by the Chatter. Also accepts periods and commas.
Yes and No – Chatters must respond with a positive or negative answer
Example: yes/no, true/false, etc.
Capture Settings
Capture Settings section contains toggles that let you control the block's interaction behavior.
Always Ask
Deactivated – The Capture block won't display for chatters if its variable is already populated. This ensures the bot only asks for specific information once, such as a chatter's name.
Activated – The block will always trigger whenever it is encountered, and overwrite any data that already exists in its variable.
Required
Deactivated – A Skip button displays in the chat window. Clicking this allows the chatter to skip the Capture block and move on to the next block in the Answer.
Activated – A Never mind button displays in the chat window. Clicking this cancels the Answer entirely, and redirects the chatter to the Cancel Capture Answer.
To learn more about the Cancel Capture Answer, see Cancel Capture.
Save Response As
Use the drop-down menu to choose the variable the Capture block populates with the captured data. You can select an existing variable, or create a new one.
Smart Detection
Your bot can present relevant information that returning chatters have provided in past conversations.
Click the Select entity type drop-down menu and select the relevant entity for this capture event. Click Clear to remove a previously assigned entity type.
Example: Full name, city, airport, date or time, etc.
At the bottom of the Answer editor, click Save.
Have any questions? Contact your Ada team—or email us at help@ada.support.