---
sourceDocument: Australia Conversational Interfaces
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/conversational-interfaces

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Conversational Interfaces

ft:clusterId :

    - convint

bundleId :

    - convint

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Assistant Designer user input controls

# Assistant Designer user input
controls {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read

Summarize  
![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI  
This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.  

## Summary of Assistant Designer User Input Controls

Assistant Designer offers a variety of user input controls that allow you to prompt and capture information from users during Virtual Agent conversations.
These controls are essential for building interactive and dynamic chatbot experiences within ServiceNow, especially when leveraging Large Language Model (LLM) topics.
Show full answer Show less  

## Common Properties

* **Input Variable:** Each control stores the user response in a reusable input variable named based on the control's assigned name (converted to lowercase with underscores). This enables data access within the same topic using methods like `getValue` and `getDisplayValue`.
* **NLU Integration:** For topics with Natural Language Understanding (NLU) enabled, certain controls can link to NLU entities for slot filling---extracting recognized entity values from user input and prompting for clarification if multiple matches occur. You can also enable topic switching via NLU predictions to allow dynamic conversation flow changes.
* **Advanced Options:** Controls support preset default values and confirmation messages to enhance user interaction and validation.

## Large Language Model (LLM) User Input Controls

Supported controls for LLM topics include:

* Input Collector
* Text input
* Static Choice list
* Dynamic Choice list
* Boolean input (Yes/No)
* Date Time input
* Carousel input

**Important:** Limit to five or fewer input controls per LLM topic or Input Collector to avoid overwhelming the model and risking inaccurate responses.

## User Input Control Types and Their Use Cases

* **Input Collector:** Gathers multiple user inputs for use in LLM-enabled conversations.
* **Text Input:** Prompts users to enter free-form text.
* **Static Choice:** Presents a predefined, single-select list of options.
* **Grouped Choice:** Displays multiple groups of selectable choices in one message.
* **Dynamic Choice:** Generates choices dynamically by querying data tables or using scripts.
* **Boolean:** Provides a straightforward Yes/No prompt.
* **Date Time:** Enables selection of calendar dates and times.
* **File Picker:** Allows users to upload files or images, which are displayed immediately in the chat.
* **Carousel:** Shows a horizontal series of labeled images from which the user selects one.
* **Secure Text:** Encrypts sensitive information entered by users, ideal for confidential data in LLM topics.

## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

Using these input controls in Assistant Designer allows you to create rich, user-friendly Virtual Agent topics that can capture diverse data types securely and efficiently. Integration with NLU enhances conversation intelligence by extracting and validating user inputs contextually. The controls support dynamic and static choice presentation, date/time input, and file uploads, enabling comprehensive data collection tailored to your business processes. Limiting the number of inputs within LLM topics ensures reliable, accurate chatbot responses. Overall, these controls empower you to build conversational workflows that are both sophisticated and easy to maintain within ServiceNow.  
Use the collection of input controls provided by Assistant Designer to prompt and capture
information from the user in a conversation.

## Common input control properties {#va-user-inputs__section_a4j_hsb_vcc}

In addition to [data pills and condition controls](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dsAuSWOPQErwwbd3X0gRLQ "A Virtual Agent topic consists of a collection of controls within a topic flow. Use these controls to collect, process, and present information to your users. Controls can also read, create, and update records on your instance."), each input control has the following common properties:  

Input variable for the user response
:   Each control stores the user response in an input variable that is accessible from other controls within the same topic using the `getValue` and `getDisplayValue` methods. The variable
    name is based on the name that you assign to the input control. For example, if you assign the name <kbd class="ph userinput">First prompt</kbd> to an input control, the variable name is `first_prompt`. The
    variable name is lowercase, with an underscore character instead of a space. For more information on these methods, see [Virtual Agent scripts](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Wp4_UKh0oLAlT3gegpFStA "Use ServiceNow Virtual Agent script methods and variables to write chat scripts, such as response, trigger, and flow scripts. Variables can also provide context for your live support topics and conversations.").
:
    Figure 1. The Variable name field is populated automatically

## Large Language Model (LLM) user input controls {#va-user-inputs__section_bn4_dy3_jcc}

The following user input controls are supported in LLM topics when you create an LLM Virtual Agent topic. LLM user inputs include the following.

* [Input Collector](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/7hDuWuRzzzpA_UxgsGJHXA "Use the Input Collector control to gather data for use by ServiceNow Otto in conversations that use large language model (LLM) topic discovery.")
* [Text input](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/qrD7dUN8iEVcCSXmsoVg3w "The Text user input control in a Virtual Agent topic prompts the user for a text string.")
* [Static Choice list](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/1b5r_mCOFOWanArmZ1C3mQ "Use the Static Choice user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to list predefined choices available to the user. You can select only one item from a choice list.")
* [Dynamic Choice list](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/v6cP_OQMz8M8X6RUeqVjaQ "Use the Dynamic Choice user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to dynamically create a list of available choices for your users. Create these choices by querying a table or by using a script to dynamically create them.")
* [Boolean input](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/z6SQcg5uSt7bfV6qXgQ3cg "Use the Boolean user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to present a Yes/No prompt to the user.")
* [Date Time input](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/_P42OP9IknwhUZJkkNx3hA "Use the Date Time user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to enable the user to select a calendar date, time (hours and minutes), or both.")
* [Carousel input](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Q9jF1fYc12uaUZ47CMlWJw "Use the Carousel user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to present a prompt and a horizontal series of labeled images. The user can select a single item from the carousel.")
{#va-user-inputs__ul_r2f_4y3_jcc}  
Note:  
Avoid placing more than five user input controls in a single LLM topic, or more than five in a single Input Collector. Excessive user input controls can overwhelm the LLM and may lead to inaccurate or unexpected responses.

## Natural Language Understanding (NLU) entity properties {#va-user-inputs__id_kxn_knb_vcc}

:   If NLU is enabled, the following properties are displayed in the property sheet for the Text, Static Choice, Dynamic Choice,
    Boolean, Date Time, and Carousel input controls. To view or enable these properties, go to the Advanced options section.

    * NLU entity: The entity that corresponds to the input variable for the control. You select the entity from the list of entities associated with the topic intent, as defined in the NLU model that you're using for the topic. When Virtual Agent recognizes the entity value in user utterances and if the value meets the entity prediction confidence threshold, then Virtual Agent extracts the value. The value is stored in the input variable for the node. This storing action is called slot filling. Slot filling recognizes when multiple values for the same NLU entity occur in a conversation. Users are prompted with a list to confirm which node value to select when multiple nodes are tied to the same NLU entity. This property is available only for NLU topic discovery.
    * Enable NLU to switch topics: Enables NLU prediction for the 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. To enable this property on a node, navigate to Advanced optionsTopic switching.
    {#va-user-inputs__ul_h3d_jwn_thb}

Default value
:   An input prompt can have a preset value that you define. This value can be either a string or a script that returns a string. This property is in the Advanced options section.

Confirmation messages
:   These bot response messages signal the end of the node interaction and ask the users to confirm their response. This property is in the Advanced options section.
* **[Input Collector user input control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/7hDuWuRzzzpA_UxgsGJHXA)**   
  Use the Input Collector control to gather data for use by ServiceNow Otto in conversations that use large language model (LLM) topic discovery.
* **[Text user input control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/qrD7dUN8iEVcCSXmsoVg3w)**   
  The Text user input control in a Virtual Agent topic prompts the user for a text string.
* **[Static Choice user input control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/1b5r_mCOFOWanArmZ1C3mQ)**   
  Use the Static Choice user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to list predefined choices available to the user. You can select only one item from a choice list.
* **[Grouped Choice user input control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/zZro~ierszZrkwF0EdRmYA)**   
  Use the Grouped Choice user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to list multiple groups of choices in one message.
* **[Dynamic Choice user input control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/v6cP_OQMz8M8X6RUeqVjaQ)**   
  Use the Dynamic Choice user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to dynamically create a list of available choices for your users. Create these choices by querying a table or by using a script to dynamically create them.
* **[Boolean user input control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/z6SQcg5uSt7bfV6qXgQ3cg)**   
  Use the Boolean user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to present a Yes/No prompt to the user.
* **[Date Time user input control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/_P42OP9IknwhUZJkkNx3hA)**   
  Use the Date Time user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to enable the user to select a calendar date, time (hours and minutes), or both.
* **[File Picker user input control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/QiSGwOB0rsYOMdn~A3E0Iw)**   
  Use the File Picker user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to prompt a user to upload an image or any file type. After the user uploads an image file, the image appears immediately in the Virtual Agent client.
* **[Carousel user input control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Q9jF1fYc12uaUZ47CMlWJw)**   
  Use the Carousel user input control in a Virtual Agent topic to present a prompt and a horizontal series of labeled images. The user can select a single item from the carousel.
* **[Secure Text user input control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/RgU2nbAnLdGYA~CS74i1lw)**   
  The Secure Text control provides a means to encrypt sensitive information provided as simple text or other formats. Use this control to encrypt sensitive information in topics that use large language model (LLM) discovery.

*[\>]: and then