# Ask: Selection

{% hint style="info" %}
This node only works on web capable chat channels. It requires the [Chat Flows](https://manuals.dialox.ai/store/skills/chat-flows) skill to be installed.
{% endhint %}

The **Ask: Selection** node allows you to ask users to select their answer(s) from a list. This node differs from an [**Ask: Choice**](https://manuals.dialox.ai/studio/flows/nodes/ask-choice) node in the following regards:

* It allows for multiple choices
* It does not require a link for every choice; the choices can be added within the node instead, which cleans up your Flow design
* It allows shuffling so the choices are presented in a random order

A nice example is the multiple choice. See this example:

<figure><img src="https://3356808761-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEBQHGJABNTj5ISSOTRxM%2Fuploads%2FUsvo5anKgHom3IunSe6F%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=84efff55-4be5-4eae-bc1d-408f6b09be14" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Notice that we are using the variable name given at assign but appended `_text` to it when displaying in the **Say:** "So you like #{dishes\_text}". This node automatically adds an underscore text variable to include a comma separated version of the answer. Otherwise the answer will just concatenate all the choices in one string.

### Node properties

The node offers the following configuration settings:

<figure><img src="https://3356808761-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEBQHGJABNTj5ISSOTRxM%2Fuploads%2FkI8uYa6atprDhXZqK0hV%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c21e8669-8a79-4c6b-b75a-bf9e633d1358" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

| Property        | Description                                                                                                        | Explanation                                                                                                                                                          |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Question        | The question                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Assign to       | To assign the result to a variable in the conversation                                                             | There will also be a '\_text' variable created that will contain all the answers given comma separated.                                                              |
| Remember        | To also store the variable in the user object                                                                      | The variable name in the Assign to will be used to store the value in the user object.                                                                               |
| Caption         | The text to show as caption of the choices                                                                         | This is prefilled with "Please select"                                                                                                                               |
| Required        | Toggle if this step cannot be skipped                                                                              | A close button (cross icon) is normally displayed in the right upper corner of the choices list. When this is toggled, this button will not be visible.              |
| Randomize       | Toggle to randomize the choices                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Multiple choice | Toggle to allow multiple choices                                                                                   |                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Choices         | The choices that can be picked                                                                                     | See paragraph about choices below                                                                                                                                    |
| Alternative     | An alternative final choice that will disable the rest of the choices once picked and allow for custom user input. | For instance if asking for option A, B or C or **Other**, where **Other** will invite the user to provide an open answer. See paragraph about Add alternative below. |

### Choices

The choices can be configured with a tag that will be set when chosen and a possible value:

<figure><img src="https://3356808761-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEBQHGJABNTj5ISSOTRxM%2Fuploads%2FyQoziGLgplVHwbFlC7VX%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=257478ca-b718-498d-a422-115a90b4a522" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Alternative

The Add alternative button can be used if the user is allowed to specify a different answer if none of the options apply. Any other selected choices will automatically be disabled if selecting the alternative option. Optionally an additional question can be asked to clarify to the user that they should input their own answer.

<figure><img src="https://3356808761-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEBQHGJABNTj5ISSOTRxM%2Fuploads%2FhUPzxPuwIrH0R8GQTAnE%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=da20e160-99f8-41cd-89ae-fb761e6056b9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

This will result in the following dialog:

<figure><img src="https://3356808761-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEBQHGJABNTj5ISSOTRxM%2Fuploads%2FcS2ebiJgISQSN5yzVWMK%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c972b8c7-4007-4ba5-b204-09df9678f1dd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Resources

* [web-flows](https://manuals.dialox.ai/store/skills/web-flows "mention")
* [ask-choice](https://manuals.dialox.ai/studio/flows/nodes/ask-choice "mention")