Summary
When building a chatbot with multiple options using Buttons or Lists, users may sometimes select more than one option, causing the chatbot to stop unexpectedly. To prevent this, you can use a default action to recall the chatbot's previous response, ensuring a smooth conversation flow. This guide walks you through the steps to implement this solution.
Instructions
How to Prevent a Chatbot from Stopping When a User Clicks on a Previous Message
Steps to Prevent the Chatbot from Stopping
Step 1: Create a Question with a List or Buttons
Begin by designing a chatbot question that provides users with multiple options using a List or Buttons.
Step 2: Store the Next Step in a Variable
Create the next step as another List or Buttons.
Store the selected response in a variable (e.g.,
@ans2).
Step 3: Configure the Default Action to Handle Previous Responses
Set up a DEFAULT action in your chatbot flow.
Use conditions to check if the user's response matches a previous step.
If a match is found, direct the conversation back to the relevant step.
Step 4: Connect the Condition to the Previous Question
Link the condition from Step 3 to the previous question.
This ensures that even if a user selects an earlier response, the chatbot remains active and continues from the appropriate step. By continuously adding conditions to your chatbot flow, you can maintain an uninterrupted conversation and enhance the user experience.
By implementing these steps, you can create a more robust chatbot that effectively handles repeated user interactions without stopping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
Why does my chatbot stop when a user selects a previous message? → The chatbot may stop because it is not designed to handle repeated selections. When users select a previous response, the chatbot does not know how to proceed, causing it to halt.
How does the default action help prevent the chatbot from stopping? → The default action allows the chatbot to recognize when a user selects a previous response. It checks conditions and redirects the conversation back to the appropriate step, ensuring a smooth flow.
Implementation Questions
What type of responses can I use with this method? → This method works with both Buttons and Lists, as long as you configure the chatbot to check previous responses and redirect accordingly.
How do I store user responses for later use? → You can store user responses in variables (e.g.,
@ans2). This helps the chatbot recall previous selections and make decisions based on them.What happens if a user selects an option multiple times? → If configured correctly, the chatbot will recognize the repeated selection and continue the conversation from the appropriate step, instead of stopping.
Troubleshooting
My chatbot is still stopping even after setting up the default action. What should I check? → Ensure that:
The DEFAULT action is properly configured.
Conditions are set to check previous responses.
Variables are correctly assigned and used in the chatbot flow.
The conversation is correctly redirected to the previous step when needed.
Can I apply this method to all chatbot flows? → Yes, you can use this approach in any chatbot flow where users interact with multiple-choice options.