The Collect step, under Ask & collect in the step picker, asks one question and waits for the answer. The answer is stored in a variable that later steps can read. When you pick Collect, you choose what kind of answer you expect.

Kind	Hint in the picker	Outputs
Text	Free text, saved as-is.	One
Selection	Buttons the customer taps.	One per option
File	Customer uploads a document or image.	One
Date	A date, or date and time.	One

Every Collect step has a Prompt, the question the customer sees, and a Saves to name. A step with no name blocks publishing, because nothing would hold the answer. Later steps read it as {{name}}. Prefix the name with session. to keep it for the whole conversation.

Text

Add a Prompt and a Saves to name. Under Text reply, Input style can be set to mask what the customer types, which suits a password in web chat.

Date

Choose a Date format. The summary shows whether the step accepts a date only or a date and time.

File

Under Accepted files you can set:

• Max file size (MB) — blank uses the default.
• File type and Allowed extensions.
• Storage profile under File storage — where the visitor's file is saved. Profiles are managed in organisation settings.

Selection

A Selection shows buttons. Each option is its own outlet on the card, so each can lead to a different next step.

A Selection step: the prompt, one row per option (each its own outlet) and the variable that saves the reply.

1. 1Options

1. Add the step by choosing Selection in the picker.

2. Write the Prompt, for example Choose an option:.

3. Add options. Each has a button label; you can add an optional description for each option, up to 72 characters, which only WhatsApp list messages show.

4. Name the variable in Saves to. It stores the reply.

5. Connect each option's outlet to its next step.

Options are matched in the order shown. A Selection has no outlet for other replies: if the customer types an answer that matches no option, the agent's turn ends. Connect every option before you publish. An option with no next step blocks publishing. A Selection with no options, no prompt, a blank or invalid Saves to name, or an option that isn't connected also blocks publishing.

Choosing between Selection and Card

A Send card with Reply buttons also branches, and adds a picture. See Messages and media steps. Use Selection when you want a plain list of choices and a variable that holds the reply.

Tips

• Name variables clearly, such as order_number. Letters, digits and underscores keep things safe.
• Ask one thing per step. It keeps the flow readable and the analytics useful.
• Use a Router on the saved answer to branch on it. See Logic steps.

Some answer types come only from older flows

Email, phone, number and URL answers can show up in flows imported from an older platform, with their rules shown in the inspector. They are not offered in the picker.

Next steps

AI stepsLet an AI answer, with your knowledge and tools.Logic stepsBranch on what a customer said.