What is an audio block?
An audio block allows users to respond with an audio file, providing a convenient way to communicate, especially for detailed feedback or complex issues, as it's more nuanced than text.
Why use the audio block?
Because audio blocks can be used to receive audio files from the user, they insure that the user's input is validated as an audio file in the accepted format. For example, users who have detailed feedback to give can easily do so by recording a voice message and sharing it with the customer support team for their understanding.
Steps to create an audio block
1. To add the Audio block to the flow, click the add block icon (+).
2. Choose Audio under the Question Cards section.
If you try to close the block listing without saving the audio block, the unsaved changes will be lost permanently.
3. Add the Question in the question field.
4. Choose the audio Format options you want your user to send the audio in and click Save.
GC approves the below audio formats. You can deselect the formats you don't need.
- MP3
- WAV
- AIFF
- OGG
5. Add a unique name for your block in the Block name field.
If you enter the name of an existing block for another block, the fellowing error will be displayed.
6. Input variable will auto-populate according to the added block name. You can change it, if needed.
7. Adjust the existing Validation Error Message to fit the context of your audio block.
8. Click the Preview block option to see how the block would be displayed to the user.
9. If you are satisfied with the output, click Save.
- If this block is not mandatory for your user to answer, toggle 'on' the option to Skip Block. This option is not available for flows of WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger channels.
- If you want to keep this block as the end of your conversational flow, toggle 'on' the End block option.
- Audio files can be either dragged and dropped or attached. The limit should not exceed 14 MB.
- For WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger, the limit should not exceed 10 MB.
Editing the audio block
You can edit an audio block whenever required, even after the flow is published or in the drafts section, by following these steps:
1. Open the flow and click on Edit.
2. Click on the Audio Block, which you may have named differently.
3. Click Edit Block from the displayed options.
4. Make the required changes to the block and click Save.
5. Click Save.
6. Publish the flow.
- If you edit a block while an end user is engaged in a live session with the bot, the previous version of the flow will be rendered until they restart the conversation.
- After making changes, it is necessary to republish the flow for those changes to be reflected in an end user's session.
- If a change is made to an input variable, it will be updated automatically across all flows where the variable is used.
Copy an audio block
The Copy Block option can be used when you need to reuse a block that you previously created. You can copy that block and add it to your flow as it is, or edit it as necessary.
1. Click the Audio Block you require to copy.
2. Choose the Copy Block option. The block will be pasted on the clipboard.
3. When you require to paste that block, click on the Add block icon (+).
The pasted block would appear in the block listing section and be stated as From Clipboard.
4. Edit the block if required, or click on Paste directly.
- The copied audio block can be pasted multiple times. If you no longer need to paste it, you can clear the clipboard by clicking on the close icon corresponding to the clipboard option.
- When copying an existing audio block, all of its content, including variables, if any, will be copied as is. You can edit it as required before adding it to the flow. Since the names of each block must be unique, the word '_copy' will be added to the copied blocks automatically; this can be changed if required.
- If you have copied a block and it is in the clipboard, deleting the copied block later will also remove it from the clipboard.
Deleting the audio block
1. Open the flow and click Edit.
2. Click Audio Block, which you may have named differently.
3. Choose Delete Block from the displayed options.
4. Confirm deleting the selected block by clicking Yes, Delete it.
You can immediately use the undo option to restore a deleted block as your following action, but not otherwise.
5. Click Save.
6. Publish the flow.
- If you delete a block while an end user is engaged in a live session with the bot, the previous version of the flow will be rendered until they restart the conversation.
- After making changes, it's necessary to republish the flow for those changes to be reflected in an end user's session.
If the deleted block has dependencies, such as given below, errors will be displayed.
Path below the block:
If the deleted block was used to jump to a different flow:
Use Case
A customer from the online store Zylker Electronics received their order, but encountered an issue. They immediately visited the website and started a conversation with the bot. During the interaction, the customer reported that the gadget was making unusual sounds. The bot will request an audio of the said sound. The customer can record it and attach the audio file.
Examples of the audio blocks in a flow
Recording sounds
The product is making unusual sounds, which the user wants to share with the support team.
Bot Prompt: Please record and upload an audio clip of the unusual sound your product is making.
GC widget's output:
After the user records and submits the audio file:
Best practices
- Define the purpose of asking for an audio file clearly.
- Make sure to let the customers know there shouldn't be any background noise
- Mention the languages accepted by your support team.
- Improve accessibility for those with typing difficulties by enabling them to record and attach an audio file for them to receive appropriate support.
Supported channels
The audio block is supported in the following channels:
- WhatsApp
- Telegram
- Facebook Messenger
- LINE
- Instagram
- Business Messaging
A total of 500 blocks can be added in a flow. If you reach that count, you can use the jump block to create a new flow or delete unnecessary flows.