Boolean user input control

  • Release version: Washingtondc
  • Updated August 6, 2025
  • 5 minutes to read

    • Use the Boolean user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to present a Yes/No prompt to the user.

    Boolean user input controls prompt the user to answer a Yes/No question, and store the response as a string with a value of true or false. Use this value in topic utilities, such as the prompted Decision utility, to branch the topic flow based on the answer.

    When you place this control on the canvas, a window appears with the header Add a decision node? The window message reads A decision node will be added following this node and has No and Yes options. If you select No, you must add a Decision utility to complete the Boolean. You can customize the names of the output values on the Decision node. For more information, see .

    Boolean user input control properties for LLM topic discovery

    Property Description
    Node name Name that identifies this Boolean user input control node in the topic flow.
    Detail description The one piece of information needed from the user, presented as a binary choice. For example, Ask the user if they have performed the latest software update to their machine.
    Advanced
    Enforce user prompt

    Toggle to open a field for a custom message shown to the user instead of the message generated by the LLM. You can create custom messages in plain language, input a script, or define conditions with the data pill picker.
    Additional instructions for LLM

    Further instructions to the LLM, such as adding data formats, restrictions, or default values for user responses. You can create additional instructions in plain language, input a script, or define conditions with the data pill picker.
    Hide or skip this node
    Conditionally show this node if

    No-code condition statement or low-code script that specifies a condition for presenting this node in the conversation. The condition must evaluate to true.
    Allow user to skip this node if

    No-code condition statement or low-code script that specifies a condition for letting users skip this node in the conversation. The condition must evaluate to true. You can set this field using either the condition builder or a script. When this field is active, the node presents the user with a Skip option in the Virtual Agent conversation. Alternatively, in an LLM topic, you can reply with an utterance such as I want to skip this question. Virtual Agent chat window with Skip button following a query from the Virtual Agent.

    Example Boolean user input control for LLM topic discovery

    Note:
    Virtual Agent Designer controls may display and function differently in other channels.
    Input properties Input prompt

    Basic properties include the node name, and detail description. Advanced options include Enforce user prompt, Additional instructions to LLM, and Hide or skip this node.
    Figure 1. Web UI Boolean user input prompt
    An example prompt reads, "Would you like to add a comment?" Answers are Yes and No.
    Figure 2. Slack Boolean user input prompt
    An example prompt reads, "Would you like to add a comment?" Answers are Yes and No.

    Boolean user input control properties for NLU topic discovery

    Property Description
    Node name Name that identifies this Boolean user input control node in the topic flow.
    Variable name Variable that stores the choice selected by the user. The variable name is automatically created from the Node name property.
    Prompt

    Prompt or question for the user. The prompt can be either a text string or a script that returns text. This value is used only when the default value is not specified. For example: What's your name?

    NLU entity

    [NLU topic discovery only]

    Option to associate an NLU entity with the node. If an NLU entity is associated with the input variable for this node, Virtual Agent can slot-fill the specified value based on the user's utterance. Select an entity from the list of entities associated with the topic intent.

    When you specify an entity for the node, the Do not ask users to confirm recognized entity toggle switch displays. When enabled, users are not prompted to confirm the extracted entity.
    Advanced
    Default value
    Predefine a value for user input

    Predefined value for the user response to the question or prompt. The response defined in the Default value confirmation field asks the user to confirm the default value. If the user responds with no, the value becomes null. The default value can be either a text string or a script that returns text. For example, if you're using dot-walking, the default value might be: Script Variables > Last username. Or if you're using a script, the default value might be: {{vaScripts.lastUsername}}.
    Confirmation messages
    Input completion confirmation

    Bot response shown to the user when the node interaction is complete. The message can be either a text string or a script that returns text. For example, if you're using dot-walking: Thanks, (Input Variables > Username)! Or if you're using a script, the acknowledgement might be: Thanks, {{vaInputs.username}}!

    Default value confirmation

    Message that asks the user to verify that the value in the Default value field is correct. This message is used instead of a value in the Prompt field. It can contain either a text string or a script that returns text. For example, if you're using dot-walking: Are you (Input Variables > Username)? Or if you're using a script, the confirmation message might be: Are you {{vaScripts.lastUsername}}?.
    Conversation switching
    This section is available only when NLU discovery is enabled on the instance.
    Turn on to let users change the subject

    Option to enable NLU prediction for this node. If enabled, users can enter text to answer questions, regardless of the type of input control being used. Virtual Agent uses this utterance to match another existing intent, letting the user switch topics.
    Hide or skip this node
    Conditionally show this node if

    No-code condition statement or low-code script that specifies a condition for presenting this node in the conversation. The condition must evaluate to true.
    Allow user to skip this node if

    No-code condition statement or low-code script that specifies a condition for letting users skip this node in the conversation. The condition must evaluate to true. You can set this field using either the condition builder or a script. When this field is active, the node presents the user with a Skip option in the Virtual Agent conversation. Alternatively, in an LLM topic, you can reply with an utterance such as I want to skip this question. Virtual Agent chat window with Skip button following a query from the Virtual Agent.
    Skip reprompting if

    No-code condition statement or low-code script that specifies a condition for letting users skip reprompting in the conversation. When a preceding node is revisited through a topic loopback or Dialog Act, the Virtual Agent bypasses this node and automatically retain its original value.

    Example Boolean user input control for NLU topic discovery

    Note:
    Virtual Agent Designer controls may display and function differently in other channels.
    Input properties Input prompt
    Figure 3. Boolean user input control basic properties
    Basic properties include the node name, prompt, and NLU entity.
    Figure 4. Web UI Boolean user input prompt
    An example prompt reads, "Would you like to add a comment?" Answers are Yes and No.
    Figure 5. Slack Boolean user input prompt
    An example prompt reads, "Would you like to add a comment?" Answers are Yes and No.

    Channel support

    Table 1. Channel support for the Boolean user input control
    Channel Support Constraints
    Web UI Supported None
    Mobile UI Supported None
    Now Assist panel Supported None
    Microsoft Teams Supported None
    Slack Supported None
    Workplace Supported None
    Facebook Messenger Supported None
    SMS Twilio Supported None
    LINE Supported None
    WhatsApp Supported None
    Apple Messages for Business Supported None
    Alexa (Voice) Supported None