# Using Simple Text Block
Chatbots receive and react to a significant volume of textual data. Text messages are the primary form of communication between a chatbot and its users. For this purpose, Hexabot provides the **Simple Text block**, prominently featured in the block palette, to facilitate the addition and configuration of straightforward textual conversational paths.
To configure what response the chatbot should deliver upon receiving a predefined message, simply select the block and click on the "**Edit**" button.
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**Caution:** If there are multiple text blocks on the visual editor interface, make sure to select the specific text block you want to edit to avoid disrupting the conversational flows.
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Blocks can be moved around in the canvas; simply click on the block and hold the click to drag and drop them, ensuring better visibility of the conversational tree structure.
To define how the chatbot should react to user messages, select the block you want to configure, access the edit form using the "**Edit**" button, switch to the "**Triggers**" tab and enter a typical message that a user might send to the chatbot. Then, switch to the "**Message**" tab, specify the standard response that the chatbot should provide each time it receives a similar request, and click "**Submit**".
Text messages provide response clarity, allow for chatbot control, and maintain a fluid and active communication with users. However, relying solely on textual conversational paths is insufficient for transmitting non-textual data and can sometimes lead to rigid and less than optimal pathways for effectively guiding users.
For this reason, Hexabot offers a variety of interaction possibilities and provides several other blocks to diversify conversational paths.
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**1. Add the Simple Text Block:**
* Locate the "Simple Text" block in the block palette. It's often the first or most prominent block in the list.
* Drag and drop the "Simple Text" block onto the canvas, placing it where you want the text message to appear in the conversation flow.
**2. Connect the Block:**
* **Start of a Flow:** If the "Simple Text "block is the beginning of your conversation, it doesn't need to be connected to another block. It will be the first message the user receives when they interact with the chatbot. You just need to toggle on the .png>) "**Entrypoint**" option.
* **Continuing a Flow:** If the block is part of a longer conversation, connect it to the preceding block to define when the text message should be sent. This connection could be from any type of block, like a Quick Replies block, a User Input block, or another Simple Text block. Each block has a single input port and two types of output ports :
* .png>) **Next/Previous Block(s) Port:** Defines which block(s) should be triggered next depending on the user input/reply.
* .png>) **Attached Block Port:** This should be used if you would like to send subsequent messages.
**3. Configure the Text Message:**
* **Select the Block:** Click on the Simple Text block you added to the canvas.
* **Click "Edit":** This opens the configuration panel for the Simple Text block.
* **Triggers Tab (Optional):**
* If you only want the text message to be sent under certain conditions, define those conditions in the "Triggers" tab.
* You can use triggers based on the user's previous message, the presence of specific data, or other contextual factors.
* You can also choose to target users by a specific label or limit the block scope to a given channel.
* **Message Tab:**
* Enter the text message you want to send to the user in the "Message" field.
* You can define one or multiple text message and the chatbot will send randomly one of them.
* **Options Tab (Optional):**
* **Typing Indicator:** Choose whether to show a typing indicator before sending the message, making the interaction feel more human-like.
* **Assign Labels:** Associate the block with specific user labels. This enables you to send different messages to users based on their categories or characteristics.
* **Fallback Responses:** Define messages to send if the user's input doesn't meet any defined triggers, preventing dead ends in the conversation.
**4. Save and Test:**
* Click the "Save" button to save the changes you made to the Simple Text block.
* Use the "Live Chat Tester" or interact with the chatbot through your chosen channel to test how the Simple Text block works in the actual conversation flow.
**Example:**
You might use a Simple Text block at the beginning of a conversation to greet the user:
* **Message Tab:** "Hi there! 👋 Welcome to our customer support chatbot. How can I help you today?"
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**Tips:**
* **Be Clear and Concise:** Keep messages short, focused, and easy to understand.
* **Use a Natural Tone:** Write in a friendly and conversational style.
* **Personalize When Possible:** Use information you know about the user (e.g., name) to tailor messages.
* **Provide Context:** Make sure the user knows why they are receiving a message and what they should do next.
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