Commands and canned responses

In the Odoo Live Chat application, commands allow the user to perform specific actions both inside the chat window, and through other Odoo applications. The Live Chat app also includes canned responses. These are customized, pre-configured substitutions that allow users to replace shortcut entries in place of longer, well-thought out responses to some of the most common questions and comments.

Both commands and canned responses save time, and allow users to maintain a level of consistency throughout their conversations.

Execute a command

Live chat commands are keywords that trigger pre-configured actions. When a live chat operator is participating in a conversation with a customer or website visitor, they can execute a command by typing /, followed by the command.

Commands, and the resulting actions, are only visible in the conversation window for the live chat operator. A customer will not see any commands that an operator uses in a conversation from their view of the chat.

More information about each available command can be found below.

Help

If an operator types /help in the chat window, an informative message that includes the potential entry types an operator can make is displayed.

• Type @username to mention a user in the conversation. A notification will be sent to that user’s inbox or email, depending on their notification settings.

• Type #channel to mention a Discuss channel.

• Type /command to execute a command.

• Type :shortcut to insert a canned response.

See also

• Get Started with Discuss

• Efficiently Communicate Using Channels

Helpdesk & Helpdesk search

The /helpdesk and /helpdesk_search commands allow operators to both create helpdesk tickets directly from a conversation, and search through existing tickets by keyword or ticket number.

Important

The /helpdesk and /helpdesk_search commands can only be used if the Helpdesk app has been installed, and Live Chat has been activated on a Helpdesk team. To activate Live Chat, go to Helpdesk application ‣ Configuration ‣ Teams, and select a team. Scroll to the Channels section and check the box labeled Live Chat.

Create a ticket from a live chat

If an operator types /helpdesk in the chat window, the conversation is used to create a Helpdesk ticket.

Important

In version 16.3, the command to create a new ticket is /ticket. This only applies to databases running version 16.3.

After entering the /helpdesk command, type a title for the ticket into the chat window, then press Enter.

The newly created ticket will be added to the Helpdesk team that has live chat enabled. If more than one team has live chat enabled, the ticket will automatically be assigned based on the team’s priority.

The transcript from the conversation will be added to the new ticket, under the Description tab.

To access the new ticket, click on the link in the chat window, or go to the Helpdesk app and click the Tickets button on the kanban card for the appropriate team.

Search for a ticket from a live chat

If an operator types /helpdesk_search in the chat window, they can search through Helpdesk tickets by ticket number or keyword.

Important

In version 16.3, the command to search through Helpdesk tickets is /search_tickets. This only applies to databases running version 16.3.

After entering the /helpdesk_search command, type a keyword or ticket number, then press Enter. If one or more related tickets are found, a list of links will be generated in the conversation window.

Note

Results from the search command will only be seen by the operator, not the customer.

History

If an operator types /history in the chat window, it will generate a list of the most recent pages the visitor has viewed on the website (up to 15).

Lead

By typing /lead in the chat window, an operator can create a lead in the CRM application.

Important

The /lead command can only be used if the CRM app has been installed.

After typing /lead, create a title for this new lead, then press Enter. A link with the lead title appears. Click the link, or navigate to the CRM app to view the Pipeline.

Note

The link to the new lead can only be seen and accessed by the operator, not the customer.

The transcript of that specific live chat conversation (where the lead was created) is added to the Internal Notes tab of the lead form.

On the Extra Information tab of the lead form, the Source will be listed as Livechat.

Leave

If an operator types /leave in the chat window, they can automatically exit the conversation. This command does not cause the customer to be removed from the conversation, nor does it automatically end the conversation.

See also

• Acquire leads

• Getting started with Helpdesk

Canned responses

Canned responses are customizable inputs where a shortcut stands in for a longer response. An operator will enter the shortcut, and it will automatically be replaced by the expanded substitution response in the conversation.

Create canned responses

To create a new canned response, go to Live Chat app ‣ Configuration ‣ Canned Responses ‣ New.

From here, type the shortcut command into the Shortcut field.

Then, click into the Substitution field, and enter the custom message that will be sent to visitors in place of the shortcut. Click Save.

Tip

Try to connect the shortcut to the topic of the substitution. The easier it is for the operators to remember, the easier it will be to use the canned responses in conversations.

Use canned responses in a live chat conversation

To use a canned response during a live chat conversation, type a colon (:) into the chat window, followed by the shortcut.

Example

An operator is chatting with a visitor. As soon as they type : they would see a list of available responses. They can manually select one from the list, or continue to type. If they want to use the canned response 'I am sorry to hear that.', they would type :sorry.

Tip

Typing : into a chat window on its own will generate a list of available canned responses. Responses can be manually selected from the list, in addition to the use of shortcuts.