How to Customize the Commands Used in Chat

You can use modified commands in MS Teams to return specific information from the MSPbots apps. This is done by configuring the Message Command bot block to recognize custom commands that will trigger your bot and return needed information. 

What's on this page  

What is the Message Command bot block? Why should I modify it?

The Message Command bot block is where chat commands for the Attendance Manager, NextTicket Manager, and Utilization apps are configured to return specific information. This block recognizes preset commands that, when sent to MS Teams or Slack, return needed information according to the set schedule or on demand. 

The preset commands for the MSPbots template bots are customizable in case none apply to your business requirements. If you have specific business needs that are not currently addressed by our preset commands, you can customize commands in the Message Command bot block. 

For example, if you prefer to use the check in command instead of in for recording attendance in MS Teams, you can create a new bot, set up the check in command in the Message Command block, and then add corresponding Attendance-in and Alert blocks so that entering the command check in in MS Teams will automatically trigger the attendance bot you created. 

Relevant applications and permissions 

This information applies to MS Teams, Slack, Attendance Manager, NextTicket Manager, and Utilization apps. Only users with admin permissions can create bot blocks and configure the Message Command block. If you do not have the required permission, contact your administrator for help.

How to configure the Message Command bot block  

The steps below show how you can create custom commands in the Message Command bot block. For this example, we want to set up a bot that will use the command check in instead of the preset in command. Do the following:  

1. Log in to the MSPbots app using your Office 365 account. 
2. Navigate to Bots on the left menu then click the New Bot button on the Bots screen. 
3. When the Create a new bot window opens, select Start From Blank > Message Command. 
   
   
   
   
4. When the next Create a new bot window appears, fill in the required fields. 
   
   1. Enter a name in the Bot Name field.
   2. Identify the Role that will have access to the bot.
   3. Add a clear Description of the bot. (Recommended) 
   4. Then click Continue to open the Message Command pop-up window. 
      
      
5. In the Message Command pop-up window, click the Message Tool dropdown list and select a tool. To use MS Teams to trigger your bot, select Teams; to use Slack, select Slack instead. 
   
6. Next, go to the command menu, select the command you want MSPbots to recognize, and click Finish. 
   
   For more information on the available commands for MS Teams, read the section on Teams Command Template Bots. 
   
   To use your preferred command, enter your custom command then click Finish. For example, if you want to trigger the attendance bot using the check in command instead of the in command, enter check in. 
   

   Type commands in lowercase when adding new commands. Example: Type check in instead of CHECK IN.

   
    
    
   

   The feature to add custom commands is only supported in MS Teams for now and is not yet available in Slack. Only the nt command and help commands are currently recognized by Slack.

   
   
   
7. Click on the Message Command block, then click under it, and select Add a Block.
   
   
   
8. Next, add an Attendance-in block by clicking the generated blank block, typing Attendance-in in the search bar, and selecting Attendance-in. 
   
   
   
9. Click the Attendance-in block, then click under it, and select Add a Block.
   
10. Next, add an Alert block by clicking the generated blank block, typing Alert in the search bar, and selecting Alert. 
    
    
    
11. Next, start configuring the settings. Go to the Message Command block, click in the upper-right corner of the block, and select Edit. 
    
12. Verify if the selections for Message Tool and command are the same as your selections in Steps 4 and 5. Click Next once confirmed. 
    
13. When the Attendance-in window opens, customize the responses for each of the following scenarios: 
    
    • Clock in - Success
    • Clock in time is outside working hours -or- Clock in time is incorrect
    • Clock in update - Success
    • Wrong command
    • Clock in is done by an invalid account
      
14. When done, click Next to proceed to the Alert configuration window.
15. Follow the prompts on the Alert window and configure the Alert block according to your preferences.
    
    
16. Click Finish.
17. Click Save on the upper right corner of your bot's window.
    
18. Verify your settings. Go to MS Teams and type check in. The command should be recognized and return a response based on the configurations you made. 

MS Teams Command Template Bots 

The table below displays the commands available for MS Teams, including their descriptions, configuration blocks, and corresponding need for alerts. Use this table as a guide when modifying message commands. 

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