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.

Date Time user input control properties for LLM topic discovery

The Date Time user input control accepts inputs from a calendar selection, or by entering plain language in the Virtual Agent chat window. If you type your answer, the Virtual Agent accepts different inputs depending on how your region handles dates. For example, if you're in the United States, the input control supports the MM-DD-YYYY format, while a user in Spain enters the date in DD-MM-YYYY format.

Date Time property Description
Name

Name that identifies this node in the topic flow.

Variable Name

Name of the variable that stores the user response to this prompt. The variable name is automatically created from the Node name property.

Allow automatic slot-filling

Toggle to allow this node’s value to be automatically set by other nodes, as well as during topic discovery. When this toggle is activated, the Detail description field changes from dynamic Data Pill Picker and script options to a static text field.

Detail description

Description of the information that you need from users. If the Allow automatic slot filling toggle is deactivated, you can create a dynamic detail description by selecting the Data Pill Picker icon Data pill picker icon. to define conditions, or select the Open Editor icon Open editor icon. to enter a script. If the Allow automatic slot filling toggle is activated, you can only enter a static description.

When the Allow automatic slot-filling toggle is inactive, the detail description includes Data Pill Picker and script dynamic options. When the toggle is active, the Detail description field becomes static.

Input format
Type of Date Time control to be displayed. Select one of the following formats:
  • Date: Shows only the monthly calendar for the user to select the date.
  • DateTime: Shows both a monthly calendar and time picker.
  • Time: Shows only the time picker for the user to select the time (hours and minutes).
Advanced
Enforce user prompt

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

Validation

Add a script to validate the user input. For example, check if the user entered a valid email address.

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.

If users enter a value such as skip this step when the conditions do not allow skipping, they receive a message saying the node cannot be skipped and are re-prompted to provide an answer.

Example Date Time user input control for LLM topic discovery

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

All basic Date Time user input fields are openly available. Select any of the advanced options to toggle them open individually.

Figure 1. Web UI Date Time prompt
In the Web client, a calendar pop-up lets the user choose a date and time.

Date Time user input control properties for NLU topic discovery

Date Time property Description
Name

Name that identifies this node in the topic flow.

Variable Name

Name of the variable that stores the user response to this prompt. 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 is displayed. When enabled, users are not prompted to confirm the extracted entity.

Input format
Type of Date Time control to be displayed. Select one of the following formats:
  • Date: Shows only the monthly calendar for the user to select the date.
  • DateTime: Shows both a monthly calendar and time picker.
  • Time: Shows only the time picker for the user to select the time (hours and minutes).
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.

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 Date Time user input control for NLU topic discovery

Note: Virtual Agent Designer controls may display and function differently in other channels.
Input properties Date Time prompt
Figure 2. Date Time user input control basic properties
Basic properties include the node name, prompt, input format, and NLU entity.
Figure 3. Web UI Date Time prompt
In the Web client, a calendar pop-up lets the user choose a date and time.

Channel support