How to Copy a Chatbot Flow from One Messaging Platform to Another
Chatbots allow you to answer common questions from your users, guide them, receive requests, and transfer data for further processing. Your message flow scenario determines the sequence in which messages and user action buttons are displayed.
If you have chatbots for multiple messaging platforms, you can transfer your flows from one platform to another to save time. For example, you can copy a Telegram chatbot flow and use it in your Instagram bot.
You can also copy and transfer chatbot flows within the same messaging platform. In this case, you won't need additional element settings. Read more: How to Copy a Flow to Another Chatbot.
Let's talk about how to copy the flow and what you need to know about elements supported by different channels.
Copy a Flow
Go to your bot structure, choose a flow, click on the three dots icon in the dashboard, and select “Copy flow” from the drop-down menu.
In the next drop-down menu, choose where to copy the flow. You can find all your bots categorized by messaging platform name.
Set Up a Flow
The platform copies your flow with its elements to the selected bot.
Other messaging platforms may not support some elements or have other limits. Also, they will not automatically create variables, tags, linked flows, or campaigns from the audience of the source bot.
Go over your flow, find elements with a warning sign, check element-specific limitations, and specify variables and tags in the target bot's audience. Hover over a warning sign icon to see a tooltip about elements that need your attention.
How to Copy the "Message" Element
Check your “Message” elements and edit them if necessary. Replace the elements that are not supported by messaging platforms because they will be deleted otherwise.
If you have a variable in an element, you will see the “Verify that the specified variables exist” warning message.
If a messaging platform doesn’t support an element type, you will see the “Unsupported message type” warning message.
List of Supported Elements
| Telegram | Viber | Live chat | ||||
| Text | Add up to 2,000 characters | Add up to 512 characters. If you use buttons in your message, add only up to 80 characters | Add up to 512 characters | Add up to 1,024 characters | Add up to 2,000 characters | Add up to 2,000 characters |
| To personalize your text, replace your source bot variables with the variables from the target bot’s audience. | ||||||
| Button | Add up to 13 buttons; all types are supported | Add up to 3 buttons, and delete any extra buttons; all types are supported | Add up to 3 buttons, and delete any extra buttons; all types are supported | Add up to 3 buttons, and delete any extra buttons; the “Link” button type isn’t supported | Add up to 3 buttons; all button types are supported | Add up to 3 buttons; all button types are supported |
| User Input | Supports validation of all types | The “Geolocation” type is not supported | Supports validation of all types | Supports validation of all types | ||
| You need to replace the variables where your values are stored with the variables from the target bot’s audience. | ||||||
| Сards | Not supported, transformed into the "Picture" + "Caption" combination | Supported | Supported | Not supported, transformed into the "Picture" + "Caption" combination | Supported | Not supported |
| Quick replies | Add up to 10 replies | Not supported and will be deleted | Add up to 10 quick replies | Add up to 10 quick replies | ||
| Templates | Not supported | Supported | Not supported | Not supported | ||
| Product Card | Not supported | Supported | Not supported | Not supported | ||
| Image* | Supported | |||||
| File* | Supported | Not supported | Supported | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Video* | Supported | Not supported | Supported | Supported | Supported | Not supported |
| Audio* | Supported | Not supported | Supported | Supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| Delay | Add up to 60 seconds | Not supported | Add up to 60 seconds | Not supported | Not supported | Add up to 60 seconds |
* Some messaging platforms may have their own limitations on the size, resolution, and format of media files, even if an element itself is supported. Make sure to check your element and its file after copying them.
How to Copy the “Flow” Element
Open the element editor, and choose a chatbot flow. If you haven't yet created any flows, the list will be empty. In this case, skip this step, and set up the element later.
How to Copy the “Action” Element
Most actions are supported by all messaging platforms, and you won't need to edit your flow. However, there are two actions that are supported only by Telegram chatbots: blocking or unblocking a group or channel member.
If you choose the "Add variable" or "Delete variable" actions, replace your variable with the existing one from the target bot.
How to Copy the “Filter” Element
Most filter conditions are supported by all messaging platforms, and you won't have to edit your flow.
However, certain filters are applicable only to specific messaging platforms.
| "Follows you," "Following," and "Number of followers." | |
| Telegram | "Member of a channel or group" and "Browser language." |
| "Country" and "Phone." | |
| Live chat | "Country", "Browser language," and “Current page URL." |
If you have a variable or tag filter, check if your target chatbot has a variable with the same name and case.
If you had a filter for variables, tags, and the "Was in flow" or "Was in campaign" conditions, you'll need to add the data from your target bot or replace the element itself.
You will see the "Check that the selected values are correct" warning if there is no such filter or if you selected a filter with variables.
How to Copy the “API Request” Element
The system will transfer the requested data to your copied flow. Still, you should edit the "API request" element and select variables where your values from the target bot's audience will be stored.
How to Copy the “Pause” Element
Facebook, WhatsApp (regular message), and Instagram allow you to send the next message within 24 hours since the last user message. Therefore, you need to change the delay time when copying your flow to these channels.
| Telegram | Viber | Live chat | ||||
| Delay time | Up to 60 days | Up to 24 hours | Up to 24 hours | Up to 60 days for template messages, up to 24 hours for regular messages | Up to 24 hours | Up to 24 hours |
Keep in mind that delay time limits also affect the connection between elements using the "Continue" option. If the user does not interact with the bot, it is impossible to continue your flow and send a message after 24 hours. You will need to revise your scenario and add buttons that lead to a new element.
Save and Run
Once you finish setting up your flow, click Save and Exit or Save and send to yourself. The transferred flow will be in the "Flows" list. You can launch it by link or create a trigger and select the created flow.
Last Updated: 20.10.2023
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