4. Steer the conversation with Conditions

In the previous lesson, you learned how to get user input and re-use it as variables. Let's see now how the conversation can be steered in different directions based on variables.

Apart from being re-used inside the conversation itself, variables can help the bot steer the conversation in different directions, by using Condition blocks.

What we will build in lesson 4.

Step 8: Check a variable in a Condition block

Our Bee bot now asks if the user is new, then asks the user information.

We would like Bee to give a slightly different answer depending on if the user is new or returning. To do so, we’ll need a Condition block that checks a {userType} variable.

The Condition block type.

Condition blocks enable your bot to redirect the user to another block depending on the conditions of the session variables, following an if-then logic.

Get variables under button clicks

We’ll save a {userType} variable under button click of the Check user type block. This variable can have either the value returning or new.

To save a variable under a button click:

1. Open the Check user type block.

2. Under the first I’m new button, click on + Add a variable and create the variable userType.

Create a variable under a button click.

3. Add the value new.

4. For the second button, do the same with the value returning.

Make your Go-to buttons capture variables.

5. Save your changes.

Now, when a user clicks on one of these buttons, the system will remember the {userType} variable. Let's utilize this variable within a Condition block.

Add a Condition block

We aim to create a Condition block that evaluates the {userType} variable and provides a different response based on its value.

To add a Condition block:

1. Open the Next block block.

2. Go to its Settings.

3. Change its Type to Condition.

Change a block dialog type from its Settings.

4. You’ll get a warning message. Click Yes, change type.

5. Under Bot dialog name, change the block name to Route userType.

Change a block name from its Settings.

6. Go back to its configuration, and click on the + to add your first condition.

7. Fill in the block as follows, using the equal case insensitive operator:

   • If {userType} = new,

     • then Go to Send email new user. You can create this new block directly from the text field.

   • Else if {userType} = returning,

     • then Go to Send email returning user. You can create this new block directly from the text field.

   • Else:

     • Go to Error occurred.

The Error occurred block is a default block triggered when an API integration fails to complete a certain request, or when Chatlayer considers your bot to be blocked in a loop.

Your window should look like this:

Fill your Condition block with conditions.

8. Save your changes.

Your canvas looks a bit messy now, and that’s totally normal. Let’s organize it a bit:

Organize your flow

To re-organize your flow when it looks messy, click on the Auto-layout button at the bottom-right corner of your canvas.

What we created should look like this now:

What your canvas should look like at this point.

Lesson 4 recap

Congratulations! In this lesson, you’ve learned how to:

• Store variables from button clicks.

• Add a Condition block.

• Check variables inside a Condition block and steer the conversation accordingly.

• Organize your canvas by using Auto-layout.

Coming next

Coming next, we’ll see how to connect your bot to 3rd party providers so that you leverage your bot’s functionalities.

5. Empower your bot with Actions

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