User Input blocks in BoldDesk let you gather the right information from customers at the right moment—without lengthy back‑and‑forth. Whether you need contact details, quick button choices, structured drop‑down selections, validated typed entries (dates, numbers, specific formats), file uploads, or location sharing, these blocks help you design smooth, guided conversations.

This article lists all available User Input block types and shows how to combine them into an end‑to‑end workflow using an automated car service booking example.

Check out this video for more details

Types of User Input Blocks

BoldDesk provides multiple User Input block categories designed for different data collection needs.

1. Get Customer Details
   Collect essential customer information to personalize and streamline conversations:

   • Name
   • Email
   • Phone Number

2. Button Options: Present predefined choices through interactive buttons, allowing customers to make quick and effortless selections.

   • Get Choice via Buttons: Use this option to display multiple buttons. You can customize the options based on your requirements in the workflow.

   • Get Choice via Yes/No: By default, Yes/No options are configured for user selection.

     

3. Drop-down Selection: Provide customers with a structured list of options in a drop-down menu, allowing for single or multiple selections while maintaining a streamlined and user-friendly interface.

   • Get single Choice: Use this option to create a single-select drop-down menu, allowing users to choose one option from a list.

   • Get multi Choice: Use this option to create a multi-select drop-down menu, enabling users to select multiple options from a list.

     
     
     

4. Input Fields: Input fields are essential components of interactive workflows, enabling businesses to collect specific and accurate information from customers. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on setting up and customizing input fields in workflows to streamline data collection. The workflow supports seven different form fields, each catering to a specific data type.

   Input Fields	Data Type
   Get Date Value	Date
   Get Date & Time Value	Date Time
   Get Numeric Value	Number
   Get Decimal Value	Decimal
   Get Value Matching the Pattern	Regular Expression
   Get Short Text Input	Text
   Get Detailed Text Input	Text Area

   

5. Scheduler: Allow customers to book a meeting directly from the chat workflow using scheduling tools like Calendly. This helps reduce back-and-forth by letting users choose an available slot during the conversation.

   • Get Scheduler via Calendly: Displays a Calendly scheduler inside the chat so customers can select a time slot and schedule a meeting during the workflow.
     
   
   
   

6. Contact us: Provide a contact-style form experience for users to submit their request when needed. Contact form submissions can be captured as tickets, supporting structured request intake even when live assistance isn’t available.

7. Get Location Input
   Request and capture a customer’s location inside the conversation.
   When to use:

   • Pickup location for ride or cab‑style bookings
   • Service address for on‑site support
   • Delivery address confirmation before proceeding

Explore further instructions about How to collect location details from the user in chat workflows.

8. Get File Input
   Request and capture a file the customer uploads during the workflow.
   When to use:

   • Photos of damage for claims
   • Receipts/invoices for reimbursements
   • Identity/policy documents
   • Proofs for verification

Explore further instructions about How to get an attachment from the user in chat workflows.

Configuring workflow to collect information

Let’s explore how various input blocks are utilized in configuring an automated car service booking system.

Creating a Workflow

1. Open the Workflow List
   Path: Admin → Chat → Chat Automation → Workflows
   From the workflow list, select the desired workflow trigger (e.g., Conversation Created) and click Add Workflow.

2. Choose a Build Method
   BoldDesk provides two ways to build chat workflows:

   A) Create From Template

   Using a template is the fastest way to set up a workflow with best‑practice triggers, actions, and routing already in place.
   Explore further instructions about How to Create Workflows from Predefined Templates.

   B) Create From Scratch

   Build a workflow tailored to your exact rules and data collection needs.
   Explore further instructions about BoldDesk Chat Workflow: Complete Guide.

3. Fill in the required details and click Next.

   

4. In the Designer, select the Initial Block and click the Add icon to open the context menu.

   

5. From the context menu, select Actions > Manage Inputs.

   

6. Configure the Manage Inputs block to restrict message input from customers, agents, and system messages during the conversation, then click Add.

   

Collecting Customer Contact Information

6. Configure the collection of Name, Phone Number, and Email using the Customer Details Block. Learn more on How to Request the Customer’s Email After Their First Message?

   

Collecting Data using Button Inputs

7. From the context menu, select User Input > Button Options > Get Choice via Buttons.

8. Enter a message and select Category from the API Field Name dropdown.

9. Configure the options for the mapped Category field:

   • Click Add Option.
   • Enter the Label (e.g., “Routine Maintenance”) and set the Value as “Routine Maintenance”.
   • Confirm by clicking the Tick icon.
   • Repeat for other options (e.g., “Repairs”, “Inspection”).

10. Save the field mapping by clicking Add.

    

Collecting Data using Drop-down Menus

11. From the context menu, select User Input > Drop-Down > Get Multi Choice. Input a message and choose Additional_Services from the API Field Name dropdown. Define options for the Additional_Services field (e.g., “Tire Rotation,” “Brake Inspection,” “Wheel Alignment”).

    

12. From the context menu, select User Input > Drop-Down > Get Single Choice. Specify mapped options for fields like Service Center (e.g., “Downtown Service Center,” “Midtown Garage,” “Suburban Auto Shop”).

    

Validate Typed Inputs

13. Use User Input > Input > Get Value Matching the Pattern for fields requiring specific formats, such as Vehicle Number. Example regex: ^[A-Z]{3}-[0-9]{1,4}$.

    

14. For numeric values, select User Input > Input > Get Numeric Value. Enter a message and select a field value from the API Field Name dropdown.

    

15. For date inputs, select User Input > Input > Get Date Value. Enter a message and select a field value from the API Field Name dropdown.

    
    

16. For short text entries, use User Input > Input > Get Short Text Input. Enter a message and select a field value from the API Field Name dropdown, enabling optional input.

    

17. For detailed text inputs, use User Input > Input > Get Detailed Text Input. Enter a message and select a field value from the API Field Name dropdown.

    

18. For scheduling, select User Input > Input > Get Date & Time Value. Enter a message and select a field value from the API Field Name dropdown.

    
    

19. Conclude each path with an Exit block and Activate the workflow.

    

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What are User Input blocks in BoldDesk?
User Input blocks are workflow components that help you collect customer information in a structured, guided way—so you can reduce back-and-forth and keep conversations moving smoothly.

2) What types of User Input blocks are available in BoldDesk’s workflows?
BoldDesk provides these User Input block types:

• Get Customer Details
• Button Options (Buttons / Yes-No)
• Drop-down Selection (Single-select / Multi-select)
• Input Fields (Date, Date & Time, Numeric, Decimal, Pattern/Regex, Short Text, Detailed Text)
• Scheduler (e.g., Calendly)
• Contact Us
• Get File Input
• Get Location Input

3) What input field types are supported in BoldDesk’s workflows?
The supported input fields and data types are:

• Get Date Value (Date)
• Get Date & Time Value (Date Time)
• Get Numeric Value (Number)
• Get Decimal Value (Decimal)
• Get Value Matching the Pattern (Regular Expression)
• Get Short Text Input (Text)
• Get Detailed Text Input (Text Area)

Related Articles

1. BoldDesk Chat Workflow: Complete Guide.
2. How to Create Workflows from Predefined Templates.
3. How to collect location details from the user in chat workflows.
4. How to get an attachment from the user in chat workflows.