Build smarter Guided Conversations with Fork Blocks
When your customers arrive on your support channel, they're not there to explore. They are usually confused and stuck while trying to fix something important. We understand how stressful that moment can feel and we want your bot to make things easier, not harder.
A well designed Guided Conversation takes away this confusion. At the heart of those flows lies one powerful tool: the Fork Block. When you pair it with a few smart techniques, it can turn a basic bot into a friendly assistant your users trust.
What Fork Blocks actually do
Think of Fork Blocks as your bot’s decision maker. They split the flow into different paths based on conditions.
The bot behaves exactly the way you expect:
- If the customer says X, respond with Y
- If that does not match, check the next thing
- If nothing fits, take them to a helpful fallback
Nothing is guessed; each action is based on your logical configuration.
Example
A customer contacts your support bot on WhatsApp.
The bot asks: “What do you need help with today?”
Options:
- Order related help
- Account help
- Something else
Your Fork Block simply checks what the user tapped or texted and takes them to the correct flow. A Fork Blocks split your flow into different paths based on conditions.
Customer chooses | Bot should do |
Order related help | Bot asks for the order number and shows order status. |
Account help | Bot verifies mobile number and shows account options. |
Something else | Bot shows a short menu to guide the user. |
This feels smooth because the bot reacts instantly based on the user’s choice.
Why this matters for your customers
Fork Blocks help you:
- Personalise every step
- Reduce back and forth
- Send users to the right answer faster
- Prevent unnecessary agent escalations
This directly improves resolution rates across channels, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram and more.
Advanced techniques
Below are the techniques that can take your Fork Block logic from basic to professional level. The transitions between them are natural, since each one uses Fork Blocks in a different but complementary way.
Fork with IM Variables
When a customer messages your WhatsApp bot, Guided Conversations can use one of their credentials, such as their phone number (IM Variable), to fetch details from your backend system via a webhook. This equips the bot with key information about the customer, like whether they are on a Gold or Free edition, without needing to ask.
Your Fork Block then uses this information to personalise the conversation instantly.
Gold customers: "Hi, welcome back. You are on Gold support. Here are your recent tickets."
Free customers: “Hi. Please share your order number so I can help you.”
If customer type isn’t available: “Just to help you better, are you a Gold customer or a Free customer?”
This keeps the conversation smooth and personalised without asking the customer to repeat basic details.
Fork Block with Operation Block
Some decisions depend on numbers. For example, a customer might tell you their quantity and price, and you need to decide what assistance level they should get. Instead of asking customers to calculate things or writing long explanations, let the Operation Block do the math.
Example
- A customer shares quantity and price.
- Operation Block calculates total value.
- Fork Block decides how to assist the customer based on that value.
Total Value | What your bot offers |
Above 20,000 | Priority callback |
5,000 to 20,000 | Connect to a human agent |
Below 5,000 | Automated |
Here, the Fork Block evaluates the result of the Operation Block and chooses the best path. This keeps the flow clean and avoids long explanations.
Fork Block with Webhook Block
Sometimes your bot needs to make decisions that depend on information stored outside the Guided Conversation flow. For example, checking a warranty, subscription, customer tier, or order status.
Combining a Fork Block with a webhook is a powerful tool in this situation.
How it works
- The user enters a detail (for example: order ID)
- A webhook sends this to your backend system for a status check
- Your system returns a simple response such as:
- SHIPPED
- OUT_FOR_DELIVERY
- YET_TO_SHIP
- The Fork Block reads this result and decides the next step.
Example
User asks “What’s my order status?” and enters an order number.
- Webhook checks your system.
- Response = OUT_FOR_DELIVERY
- Fork Block routes to “Your order is on the way. Here’s your tracking link.”
- If response = YET_TO_SHIP, the Fork Block routes to “Your order is being prepared. We’ll notify you once it ships.”
This keeps the flow neat and helps customers move faster.
How the three come together to create a smooth, intelligent WhatsApp bot
In real-world WhatsApp flows, these three techniques often work together.
- IM variables help trigger the backend and retrieve user details
- Webhook verifies backend information
- Operation Block calculates values
For example, you can identify the user via their mobile number, calculate the cart value using an Operation Block, and verify their membership tier through a webhook all in one flow.
Best Practices
- Map your branches before building: Sketch your decision paths on paper first
- This prevents confusion when your flow grows; it will be easy to see where each condition leads
- Use specific conditions first and general ones later
- Always include an Else path
Final Thought
Fork Blocks work on every channel supported by Guided Conversations, not just WhatsApp.
When you combine them with Webhooks, Operation Blocks and Session Variables, you create flows that feel structured, reliable and human-aware, without complexity for the user.
Regards,
Prabin | Zoho Desk
Access your files securely from anywhere
Centralize Knowledge. Transform Learning.
All-in-one knowledge management and training platform for your employees and customers.
New to Zoho Recruit?
Zoho Developer Community
New to Zoho LandingPage?
Zoho LandingPage Resources
New to Zoho Survey?
New to Zoho CRM Plus?
Deliver unforgettable customer experiences
New to Zoho CRM Plus?
Deliver unforgettable customer experiences
New to Zoho Marketing Plus?
Everything you need to run your marketing
New to Zoho Marketing Plus?
Everything you need to run your marketing
New to Bigin?
Topic Participants
Prabin
Sticky Posts
Zoho Desk Partners with Microsoft's M365 Copilot for seamless customer service experiences
Hello Zoho Desk users, We are happy to announce that Zoho Desk has partnered with Microsoft's M365 to empower customer service teams with enhanced capabilities and seamless experiences for agents. Microsoft announced their partnership during their keynoteWhatsApp pricing changes: Pay per message starting July 1, 2025
Starting July 1, 2025, WhatsApp is shifting from conversation-based pricing to per-message billing. That means every business-initiated message you send will count. Not just the first one in a 24-hour window. Pricing updates on the WhatsApp Business PlatformLive Webinar - Work smarter with Zoho Desk and Zoho Workplace integration
Hello customers! Zoho Desk and Zoho Workplace are coming together for a webinar on 14th May, 2024. Zoho Workplace is a suite of productivity apps for email, chat, docs, calls, and more at one single place. Zoho Desk is closely integrated with a few toolsApple iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates for Zoho Desk users
Hello Zoho Desk users! Apple recently announced the release of iOS 17 and iPad OS 17. These latest OS updates will help you stay productive and efficient, through interactive and seamless user experiences. Zoho Desk has incorporated the updates to helpZoho Desk Cheat Sheet For The Year-End
Check out these Zoho Desk best practices to end this year on a high and have a great one ahead! #1 Set Business (Holiday) Hours - If you have limited working hours, please make sure you restrict your business hours or set them as holidays for the coming days. Let your customers know when you will, and won't, be available. #2 Update the Annual Holiday List - Check the holidays for the new year and update the holiday schedule. Usually, holidays from the current year will be carried over for the next
New to Zoho TeamInbox?
Zoho TeamInbox Resources
Zoho CRM Plus Resources
Zoho Books Resources
Zoho Subscriptions Resources
Zoho Projects Resources
Zoho Sprints Resources
Qntrl Resources
Zoho Creator Resources
Zoho CRM Resources
Design. Discuss. Deliver.
Zoho Show Resources
Get Started. Write Away!
Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.
Zoho CRM コンテンツ
-
オンラインヘルプ
-
Webセミナー
-
機能活用動画
-
よくある質問
-
Ebook
-
-
Zoho Campaigns
- Zoho サービスのWebセミナー
その他のサービス コンテンツ
Nederlandse Hulpbronnen
ご検討中の方
Recent Topics
Using IMAP configuration for shared email inboxes
Our customer service team utilizes shared email boxes to allow multiple people to view and handle incoming customer requests. For example, the customer sends an email to info@xxxx.com and multiple people can view it and handle the request. How can I configure[Bug] WebAuthn passkey registration blocked on rpIds with TLDs longer than 6 characters (.accountant, .technology, etc.) — isValidDomain regex too strict
Hi, Filing on behalf of an enterprise customer where Zoho Vault is deployed across the company. The Chrome extension blocks WebAuthn passkey registration on legitimate sites whose Relying Party ID (rpId) has a TLD longer than 6 letters. This affects everyWhat's New in Zoho Billing | March 2026
March is here with a fresh wave of updates to Zoho Billing. From making compliance easier, reporting more flexible, to making day-to-day workflows smoother across the board. Here's everything that's new this month. Introducing Usage-Based Billing ReportsSubforms in Creator-Lookup Price
I've got a modular called Price List with items and prices. Ive got another module called Estimates with a subform that looks up that Price List. I am trying to get the "Price" to auto-enter based on the Lookup field of the item name. Anyone know howFeature request - pin or flag note
Hi, It would be great if you could either pin or flag one or more notes so that they remain visible when there are a bunch of notes and some get hidden in the list. Sometimes you are looking for a particular name that gets lost in a bunch of less importantMap Dependency Upgrades in Zoho CRM
Map Dependency Fields enhancements are available in CA, SA, JP, CN, UAE, AU and EU DCs. Latest update: Also available in IN and US DCs. Hello everyone, We’ve introduced a set of enhancements to Map Dependency Fields to make setup simpler, faster, andCRM to FSM Setup
Good Afternoon, I am trying to connect CMS to FSM. My current field mapping is: Companies ↔ Accounts Contacts ↔ Contacts Service And Parts ↔ Products I'm setting this up for an elevator service company. The idea is that: Accounts represent Companies.All new Address Field in Zoho CRM: maintain structured and accurate address inputs
Availability Update: 29 September 2025: It's currently available for all new sign-ups and for existing Zoho CRM orgs which are in the Professional edition exclusively for IN DC users. 2 March 2026: Available to users in all DCs except US and EU DC. 24Collapsible Sections & Section Navigation Needed
The flexibility of Zoho CRM has expanded greatly in the last few years, to the point that a leads module is now permissible to contain up to 350 fields. We don't use that many, but we are using 168 fields which are broken apart into 18 different sections.Create custom rollup summary fields in Zoho CRM
Hello everyone, In Zoho CRM, rollup summary fields have been essential tools for summarizing data across related records and enabling users to gain quick insights without having to jump across modules. Previously, only predefined summary functions wereInventory batch details
Hi there, I'm trying to get the batch details of an item, here's what I've done so far. I've sent cUrl request to the below endpoint and I get a successful response. Within in the response I find the "warehouses" property which correctly lists all theHow do I edit the Calendar Invite notifications for Interviews in Recruit?
I'm setting up the Zoho Recruit Interview Calendar system but there's some notifications I don't have any control over. I've turned off all Workflows and Automations related to the Calendar Scheduling and it seems that it's the notification that is sentUnable to send emails from iPhone and iPad
Curious, all of a sudden I'm unable to send emails from iPhone and iPad. I keeps asking for my password again and again. No problems from my MacBook Pro.Journal Entries Do Not Show Multiple Entries to the Same Account
Another basic accounting function that Books ... Accountants sometimes write journal entries, debiting and/or crediting the same account in the same entry. This is due to the need to record specific activity in an account when we pull reports especiallyCreate static subforms in Zoho CRM: streamline data entry with pre-defined values
Last modified on (9 July, 2025): This feature was available in early access and is currently being rolled out to customers in phases. Currently available for users in the the AU, CA, and SA DCs. It will be enabled for the remaining DCs in the next couplePartial customer Refund via customer Credit Card used to pay invoice
How can we process a partial refund through the same credit card that a customer used to pay the initial invoice? - In other words, say a customer was sent an invoice for $1200.00 and they paid it through Zoho with our online credit processor, PayFlowPartial refunds
I am trying to process refund for a one item invoice, however the refund is partial: i am getting this error while creating credit note, can anyone share some wisdom about thisHow in the heck do i record a (partial) refund???
I have a client. wrote an invoice for 3 services totalling $520. He paid it online (we use zoho to authorize.net) We went out and couldn't do one of the services I didn't see a way to initiate a refund through zoho books, so i did a $250 refund through authorize.net. Tried to edit the payment on zoho books, but it won't let me b/c "this payment was made on line" When i try to edit the invoice i get a popup about it no longer matching the payment. What do I do??? And why is it so hard to do somethingAction Required: Update your Zoho Projects – Zoho Analytics integration
Dear Zoho Projects integration users, We would like to inform you about an upcoming update to the Zoho Projects–Zoho Analytics integration. Read the full migration announcement here. As shared in the announcement, we are updating the integration to supportWhatsapp Limitation Questions
Good day, I would like to find out about the functionality or possibility of all the below points within the Zoho/WhatsApp integration. Will WhatsApp buttons ever be possible in the future? Will WhatsApp Re-directs to different users be possible basedMirror Component in Zoho CRM: Access real-time related data without leaving your record
Hi everyone, This feature is now available for the JP, CA, SA, UAE, and AU DCs. We're excited to bring to you Zoho CRM's mirror component, which presents relevant data on a record's details page and keeps everything users need in one place without havingWorkflows fail silently in Zoho CRM and there is no native way to know
Workflow automation is honestly one of the biggest reasons my clients choose Zoho. But there is one problem I keep running into across almost every implementation. When a workflow fails, nobody finds out. Email alerts hit daily limits and just stop. CustomOffice365(outlook emails) Zoho CRM integration
Hi guys We're looking to buy Zoho CRM and are currently trialling. I'm working from a MacBook fyi. I've so spent 3 hours on live chat today with Zoho as we couldn't get the two to integrate properly, even with the plug in installed but finally managedWhen adding subform records, how do I access member fields of a name field
I have the following code (runs when a record is added to a form) if (input.P_liza != null) { input_deal = input.P_liza; rec = form_mapping[deal_name == input_deal]; id = input.N_mero_de_documento_de_Identificaci_n_Alfanum_rico; contact = -----redacted------.get_crm_contact_by_id(id);Making "All Day Events" not default
When I go to schedule an event, the All Day checkbox is ticked by default. Generally, I don't plan all day events, so is there a way to make that not checked by default? I couldn't find a setting for this...Create custom field in multiple modules
I am trying to create some custom fields that will be in both leads and contacts module without having to create them separately and then mapping them. How is that performed? it is too time-consuming to create 20+ fields and then do the same thing in a different module when they carry the same info. The idea is that when we get a lead from web site, there are items that we capture and once that lead is a client and moved to Contacts, that info should come over. So trying to find an easy way to createAllow 2 logos for Branding, one for Light Mode and one for Dark Mode?
Our logo has a lot of black text on it. If we leave the background transparent, per recommendation of Zoho, when a user is viewing a file and turns on dark mode, our logo is not really visible and looks really weird. It would be really great if we couldCompensation | Salary Packages - Hourly Wage Needed
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says 55.7% of all workers in the US are paid by the hour. I don't know how that compares to the rest of the world, but I would think that this alone would justify the need for having an hourly-based salary package option.Tip #20 - Three things you probably didn't know you can do with picklists
Hello Zoho Sheet users! We’re back with another quick tip to help you make your spreadsheets smarter. Picklists are a great tool to maintain consistency in your spreadsheet. Manually entering data is time-consuming and often leaves typos and irregularIn Desk KB article, how do include an image in a numbered list without using a number or bullet?
We need to include images in our KBA steps as a numbered list. Here I have numbered steps. I want the image no numbering or bullet. Open Purchase Order Entry. Select the mail icon: Select the Save button. I see your own articles have images in numberVideo Interview features
I tested the video interview feature. It's supported only on desktop version of chrome/firefox. Most of the times, the candidates are available on their cellphone. Need to have this for mobile devices too.POS and payments
Have i missed the point can i not use zoho POS as a payment terminal back into stripe like we can in Books?Delugeサーバーページ(HTML)での関数の使用方法
Zoho Creator、Deluge並びに初心者です。 題名の通りDelugeサーバーページ(HTML)で関数が使用する方法を教えて頂きたいです。 ざっくりと説明します。 現在、1週間だけカレンダーを表示するページをelugeサーバーページ(HTML)内で作っております。 カレンダー内のボタンには翌週や先週を表示するボタンを追加しようとしています。 それらのボタンを押下した際、現在の日時に±７日をしてページを表示しなおす処理が走るようにさせたいです。 ボタンが押下されたとき、用意していた関数でその処理を実行する想定です。How to Generate Separate Labels for Each Invoice SKU Line Item in Zoho Books?
Hi everyone, I’m trying to implement a requirement in Zoho Books where separate labels need to be generated for each SKU/item from an invoice. Scenario: One invoice can contain multiple products/SKU items Each item/box should have its own separate labelAutomatically remove commas
Team, Please be consistent in Zoho Books. In Payments, you have commas here: But when we copy and paste the amount in the Payments Made field, it does not accept it because the default setting is no commas. Please have Zoho Books remove commas automWhy does my salesiq dashboard doesn't look like the one on the admin guide?
https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/kb/salesiq-2-0/for-administrators/setup-brand/articles/setting-up-the-website-channel#LauncherENDPOINT ZOHO CREATOR
I created a function to perform the action of POST, GET and PUT in order to use it outside our portal and create more dynamic forms using a cloud server. Params = “qAvhbBBJJsQysd45DdkvTR34A” Curl = “https://www.zohoapis.com/creator/custom/admin2844/vallesalud_julaje_private?publickey=”;MCP > Creator connection failing with Claude
I'm trying to get claude to access any of my Zoho Creator apps and it keeps failing. I have enabled all tools for creator and ensured in claude settings that everything is authorised. Here is what claude says : Unfortunately, the error messages I'm receivingGantt Chart - Multiple Projects
Hello, I have about 6 projects set up in Zoho and I am looking to see if it is possible to see all my projects on one gantt chart? Thanks Alexmilestone dependencies
It would be exceptionally useful to be able to assign dependencies on milestone/tasks. For example, if within a project I have three milestones for creating three ads for publication, but each ad also requires the logo to be finished by the graphic designer (a separate milestone), it would be useful to have the start dates of the later items dependent on another prerequisite component. That way, not only would I not have to enter the logo creation as a separate task for each of the three milestones,Next Page