How to Customize the Commands Used in Chat

What is the Message Command bot block

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. 

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 want to use the check command in MS Teams to have MSPbots return specific messages, you can create a new bot, set up the check command in the Message Command block, and then add an Alert block so that entering the check command in MS Teams will automatically trigger the bot you created and return the message you set in the Alert settings.

Relevant applications and permissions

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 create a bot for using custom commands in chat

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. Do the following:  

1. Log in to MSPbots 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 button to open the tab with the details and settings for your new bot.
5. Click Design on your bot's tab.
   
   
   
   
6. In the Message Command pop-up window, click the Message Tool dropdown list, select Teams to trigger your bot.
   
   
   
   
7. Next, go to the command menu, enter your custom command you want MSPbots to recognize, then click Finish.
   
   
   
   
   Type commands in lowercase when adding new commands. Example: Type check instead of CHECK .
8. Click on the Message Command block, then click under it, and select Add a Block.
   
   
   
   
9. Next, add an Alert block by clicking the generated blank block, typing Alert in the search bar, and selecting Alert. 
   
   
   
   
10. Next, start configuring the settings. Go to the Message Command block, click in the upper-right corner of the block, and select Edit. 
    
    
    
    
11. Verify if the selections for Message Tool and command are the same as your selections in steps 6 and 7. Click Next once confirmed. 
    
    
    
    
12. According to your preferences, follow the prompts on the Alert window and configure what message the Alert block sends when you send the command in Teams.
    Please note that adding tokens is not supported when configuring the message in Alert block of this bot.
    
    
    
    
13. Click Finish.
14. Click Save on the upper right corner of your bot's window.
    
    
    
    
15. Verify your settings. Go to MS Teams and type check. 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.