List and file-type variables

Two new variable types have been added to Alli. Using list variables, you can import list-formatted data from external sources and use it as customer response options, and using file variables, you can easily receive file uploads from customers. Shall we see how to use them?

For general methods of creating/managing variables, refer to this guide.

List variables

There are three list-type variables: string list, JSON, and JSON list. Basic knowledge of JSON is required to utilize all list variables.

Step 1. Create a list variable

Option 1. Create a variable from the Settings menu

Option 2. Create a variable from the Skill Editor

Option 3. Create from the Variables menu in the Skill Editor

• Log in to the Alli dashboard to start creating a list-type variable. There are two ways to create a variable. Option 1 – Go to Settings > Variables > User menu and click the ‘+ Add’ button. Option 2 – While creating a skill, you can create a new variable on supported nodes. When selecting the variable to store the customer's response, click ‘Create new variable’. Option 3 – While creating a skill, click ‘Variables’ located at the top right to open the variable list and click the ‘+ Add’ button.

• Choose one of string list, JSON, or JSON list to create the variable.

Step 2. Prepare data points in JSON format

Prepare data in the appropriate JSON format depending on which variable you use. For example:

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{ "STR_LIST_VAR": [ "TypeA", "TypeB", "TypeNew" ], "JSON_VAR": { "empno": 1, "name": "Chris", "email": "[email protected]" }, "JSON_LIST_VAR": [ { "empno": 1, "name": "James", "email": "[email protected]" }, { "empno": 2, "name": "Peter", "email": "[email protected]" } ]}

Each key must match the variable name. In the example above, STR_LIST_VAR, JSON_VAR, and JSON_LIST_VAR must match the string list, JSON, and JSON list variable names respectively. However, if you use the Advanced option in the Integration nodeyou will input the JSON path directly, so the key does not need to match the variable name.

Step 3. Create the skill

Integration nodeand fetch data from the prepared data points. You must place that node before any node that uses list-type variables.

The Integration node must be placed before using list-type variables.

In the Send Message node, check ‘Add answer’ and click ‘Add answer option’. Then select ‘Dynamic options’ to choose the list variable you want to use. If you use JSON or JSON list formats, you must properly enter the Display path and Value path in JSON path format. The Display path determines the text shown to the customer in the skill, and the Value path determines the value stored when the customer selects that option.

Step 4. Verify the list displays correctly

Use preview to check that the list appears as intended.

File variable

Using file variables is very simple. Refer to the guide below.

File variables Using file variables is very simple. Refer to the guide below.

Aside from selecting the variable type as ‘file’, it is the same as the general variable creation method and is identical to Step 1 in the list variables above.

Step 2. Create the skill

File-type variables are available in the ‘Send Message’ or‘Send Input Form’ nodeIn the Send Message node, check ‘Add answer’, select ‘File’, then choose the file variable to use from ‘Save answer to the following variable’. In the Send Input Form node, simply assign the file variable to the desired field.

Step 3. Confirm operation

In the Send Message node, the customer can click the clip icon to upload a file, and in the Send Input Form node, they can click ‘Choose File’.

Agents can view uploaded files on the customer information screen.