Calendar Block
What is a calendar block?
The calendar block allows you to prompt users for specific dates or date and time information within your chatbot interactions. For example, if you need to schedule a product delivery with a customer, the calendar block enables you to gather their preferred date and time.
Why use the calendar block?
Adding the calendar block into your chatbot flow ensures accurate input validation and simplifies the process of scheduling appointments or deliveries.
Types of formats:
- Date
- Date and Time
Supported in all channels, including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger.
Each format can be customized to align with the preferences and standards of the user’s region.
Steps to add a calendar block
1. To add the Calendar block to the flow, click on the add block icon (+)
2. Choose Calendar under the Question Cards section
2. Choose Calendar under the Question Cards section
If you try to close the block listing without saving the calendar block, all the unsaved changes will be lost permanently.3. Add the Question in the question field
4. Choose the Calendar Format options you want your users to choose the date or date and time.
5. a) If you choose Date, select the format you require the user to give as the input:
- dd/MM/yyyy
- MM/dd/yyyy
- yyyy/MM/dd
- yyyy- year
- dd- date
- MM -month
b) If you choose Date and Time, select the format you require the user to give as the input:
- dd/MM/yyyy hh:mm a
- MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm a
- yyyy/MM/dd hh:mm a
- yyyy -year
- dd-date
- MM-month
- hh -hour
- mm-minute
- a- AM/PM
6. Select the Default Time Zone according to the user’s region.
You can search for the required time zone and select it.
7. Add a unique name for your block in the Block name field.
8. Input variable will auto-populate according to the added block name; you can change it if needed.
8. Input variable will auto-populate according to the added block name; you can change it if needed.
If you enter the name of an existing block for another block, the below error will be displayed.9. Adjust the existing Validation Error Message to fit the context of your calendar block.
10. Click on the Preview block option to see how the block would be displayed to the user.
11. If you are satisfied with the output, click Save.
10. Click on the Preview block option to see how the block would be displayed to the user.
11. If you are satisfied with the output, click Save.
12. Click Save.
13. Select Publish.
- 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.
Editing the calendar block
You can edit an calendar 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 Calendar Block, which you may have named differently.
3. You will see a set of block options from which, click on Edit Block.
4. Make the required changes to the block and 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 re-publish 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 automatically updated across all flows where the variable is used.
Copy a calendar block
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 according to the requirement.
1. Click on the Calendar 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 (+).
1. Click on the Calendar 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 on the block listing section and be stated as From Clipboard
4. Edit the block if required or directly click on Paste.
- The copied calendar block can be pasted multiple times. If you no longer require to paste it, you can clear the clipboard by clicking on the close icon corresponding to the clipboard option.
- When copying an existing calendar block, all of its content, including variables, if any, will be copied as it 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 calendar block
1. Open the flow and click on Edit
2. Click on the Calendar Block, which you may have named differently.
3. You will see a set of block options from which, click on Delete Block.
3. You will see a set of block options from which, click on Delete Block.
4. Confirm deleting the selected block by clicking on 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 is necessary to re-publish 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 block was used to jump to a different flow:
Use case
From an online store selling store named Zylker electronics, the customer had received the order but was facing an issue with the gadget. He immediately checks their website and starts a conversation with the bot. After validating their return request, the bot guides them to select a date and time for the delivery personnel to collect the damaged gadget.
Examples of the calendar blocks in a flow
Delivery timing
The user is prompted to schedule a time and date for the delivery person to collect the damaged gadget.
Bot prompt: Please choose a date and time as per your convenience for the delivery personnel to take the damaged gadget.
Input given in the builder:
GC widget's output:
After the user adds the date and time:
Best practices
- Mention working hours, if applicable for your business.
- Set the date and time format according to the preferences and standards of the user’s region (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY for the U.S., DD/MM/YYYY for Europe).
- Provide clear and concise instructions on how to select a date or date and time. For example, "Please select a date for your appointment."
- Allow users to modify easily or cancel their selected dates and times, with clear confirmation messages.
Supported channels
The calendar block is supported in the following channels:
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.
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