
Welcome to Formito! It’s an easy-to-use tool for collecting data and building micro-services. We want to make data collection as easy and conversational as possible – this article shows you the basics.

#### Dashboard

This is where you land after login. It has a sidebar and main
content. The sidebar includes actions for switching workspace,
change settings, view templates, add a new form, and view a
list of them. The main content shows the latest responses
collected for any of your forms. You can view individual
responses by clicking on any specific form from the sidebar.

#### Workspaces

Think of workspaces as a business, you might want to create a
workspace for each of your businesses. We created workspaces
so you can organize your team and forms. The default name of
your workspace is “My Workspace”, but we suggest to rename it
to your business name from the settings page.

![Workspaces](workspaces-dropdown.gif)

#### Connect

You can connect different 3rd-party applications to your
workspace such as your Google account, Slack, MailChimp,
Zendesk, etc. Each of these tools has one or multiple actions
inside the builder to help you send data directly to them. For
example, if you connect your Google account, you’d be able to
send an email to a respondee using your own Gmail account or
send all the responses directly to a Spreadsheet on Google
Drive. For another example, if you connect your Slack account,
you can send a message in a Slack channel as soon as someone
starts working with your forms, or the whole response after
they finished the form.

![Connect page](page-connect.jpg)

#### Create Formito

There are multiple ways to create a Formito, but all starts
with clicking on the “Create Formito” button. On the new page,
you have options to create a blank formito, copy a template
chatbot, or convert from other tools to formito.

##### Start Blank

This option is selected by default. Once you click on the
“Create Formito” button, an empty formito creates in your
workspace. It does not contain any message or input, but you
can add them in the builder.

##### Templates

A template is a quick way to get started with a form. Browse
our template gallery, find one that fits your idea, and work
from there.

Let’s say you want to make a contact us form. You can find a
template for that, and it’s quicker than starting from
scratch. Templates are also a neat way to see what you can do
with Formito, so take a look around!

You can preview and peek at a template before making a copy of
it. Move your mouse cursor on a template to see these options.
The preview button opens the template in a new window where
you can interact with. The peek button Opens the form in our
builder where you can find out how we built this. Very great
way to learn about our builder. Finally, To generate a copy of
this template in your workspace, click on a template to select
it and then click “Create Formito”.

![Templates page](create-formito-templates.jpg)

##### Converters

Building a formito can’t be this easier. With this converter,
you can convert a table, form, or even another chatbot to a
formito with a few clicks! We are adding new converters every
month to make a powerful tool for people to get started
rapidly. Simply click a converter to select it, then click the
“Next” button to start the convert tool.

![Converters page](create-formito-converters.jpg)

#### Build

Click on a form in the sidebar to view the records page. Then,
click on the “Build” button on the top-right side of the page
to open the builder.

##### Layout

We can separate the layout of the builder into four groups:

**Header**: Located at the top of the builder,
and it includes actions to exit the builder, change the icon
of the form, rename your from, preview, and save changes.

**Navigation**: Is located on the left side of
the page. It allows you to create a new section and navigate
between them. Also, your form settings and data structure are
accessible from here.

**Editor**: This is the main part of the builder
where you can preview what you are building. Changing the
cover, adding or removing blocks, reordering them, etc. are
the editor’s main responsibilities.

**Inspector**: Located at the right side of your
editor, is where you can configure your blocks. Clicking on a
block inside the editor, makes that block selected. Once a
block is selected, you can change its behavior from the
inspector.

![Formito Builder](page-builder.jpg)

##### Blocks

There are three different types of content blocks you can add
to your forms. Here's a full list of blocks we support at the
moment.

###### Presentation Blocks

- **Message**: Say something or display images or links to your audience.
- **Accordion**: Say something or display images or links to your audience.
- **Navigation**: Send the user to continue in another Formito.

###### Input Blocks

- **Short Text**: If you want a short written answer from people.
- **Long Text**: If you want people to write long answers.
- **Number**: Only accepts numbers as an answer.
- **Email**: Only accepts correctly formatted email addresses as answers.
- **Select**: Give your audience options to choose one of them.
- **Multi Select**: Give your audience options to choose multiple of them.
- **Date**: Allows respondents to pick a date.
- **Time**: Allows respondents to pick a time.
- **Phone**: Allows respondents to enter a phone number.
- **URL**: Allows respondents to enter a website URL.
- **Upload**: Allows you to ask respondents to upload a file.
- **Payment**: Allows you to sell things and accept payments.

###### Logic Blocks

- **Action**: Instantly act on your data, e.g. notify a Slack channel
- **Lambda**: Modify content of your values, like increase a value by one.
- **Label**: Define a point in your script, so you can jump to it.
- **Jump**: Jump to a specific part of your chat form.
- **Include**: Include all blocks from another section on run-time.

![Formito Builder Blocks](builder-blocks.gif)

#### Share

Preview your form to see how it will look to your respondents
before you publish it on your website. Click on the form you
want to publish from the sidebar, and then click on the share
button to view our share modal. There are multiple ways to
share your creation:

- **Link**: When you want to share a direct link to your form to anyone on any platform
- **Popup**: When you have a website and you want
  to display the form after clicking on a link or button, or
  even show a floating action button to trigger your chat
  form.
- **Embed**: If you have a website and would like
  to show your chatbot to all visitors without asking them to
  click on a link or button.

![Formito Share](formito-share-modal.gif)


Welcome to Formito! It’s an easy-to-use tool for collecting data and building micro-services. We want to make data collection as easy and conversational as possible – this article shows you the basics.

Getting Started


Variables are dynamic content that you can use in your
messages or actions. They are inside double curly brackets.
Each column in your formito had an ID and if you prefix it
with a `values.` It becomes a variable name. For
example, if you have a text block in your chatbot to get the
first name of your respondent, and its ID is firstName, you
can use this value further in your message block to greet the
respondent with a personalized message. For example, the
message text could be “Nice to meet you
{{values.firstName}}”. If the respondent enters “John” as
his name, he will see “Nice to meet you John” in the message
block. If he/she leaves the input empty, the message text
becomes “Nice to meet you”.

We have other special variables other than column values. They
are related to your app, workspace, or the record respondent
is providing.

- `{{app.id}}`: Your formito ID
- `{{app.name}}`: Name of your formito
- `{{workspace.id}}`: Your workspace ID that this app is inside
- `{{record.id}}`: A unique ID we assign to each response
- `{{record.date}}`: The date this record created
- `{{record.time}}`: The time of day that this record created
- `{{record.datetime}}`: The date and time that this record created
- `{{record.timestamp}}`: The timestamp when this record created

Please note that date and times are in ISO 8601 format and
reported in GMT timezone.


We support use of variables in our chatbot builder to create dynamic conversations.

Variables


Formito is a data collection tool and we have designed our
platform with privacy at it's heart. As our Privacy Policy
states, you are responsible for the data collected by formitos
created by you, as well as having the rights to use this data.

In other words, your data is your data. Our product enforces
privacy by design and we do not sell your data to make any
monetary gains. We only provide a tool for you to collect
data.

#### How to make your formito GDPR compliant?

It's pretty simple. Read below notes to see how we can help
you to be GDPR ready by allowing you to delete user data and
ask for consent.

###### Ask for consent

Just add a Yes/No question to your current bot, using Select
block, asking them if they would be happy to receive email
updates. For example: "Shall we send you latest updates?" or
"To serve you better, we will save the data you input to us.
Are you ok with this?".

###### Giving your user the data

If your user requests you to share the data that you collected
from them, you can print their responses and sent it to them.
It contains everything we have collected about that particular
user.

###### Deleting the data of your user

If your user asks you to delete their data, then you can goto
the responses page, find this record, and press the Delete
button. This is a permanent action and that data cannot be
retrieved.

###### Removing entire data of a workspace

Open your workspace settings page and you’ll find the “Delete
Workspace” button at the bottom of the page.

###### Removing all of your data

Open your profile page and you’ll find the “Delete My Account”
button at the bottom of the page.


Formito is a data collection tool and we have designed our platform with privacy at it's heart.

Are you GDPR ready?


You can pre-populate your inputs with some data by passing them to the URL or widget.
So, for example if you know someone's name already, you can feed that into your chatbot, so it feels more personal.
To do so, you need to set visibility of a column to public.

##### Set visibility of a column to public

1. Open the builder and navigate to the Columns page.
2. Find the column you want to set its value from URL and click the pencil button to start editing.
3. In the "Edit Column" dialog, find _Visibility_ setting and set it to "Public".
4. Press the "Update Column" to close the dialog.
5. Click "Save Changes" from topbar to persist changes.

##### Prefill values from URL

Let's assume you have a chatbot with ID of `xyz` and you have a text input to get names and its column ID is `name`.
To pre-populate value of this column, simply add a URL parameter to you shareable link like below:

https://x.formito.com/app/xyz?values.name=John

As you can see, we prefixed the column ID with `values.`. You can easily prefill multiple values like below:

https://x.formito.com/app/xyz?values.name=John&values.userId=123456


In this article you learn how to make a column public and set the value of a column from URL.

How to prefill the values of my chatbot?


Zapier is an automation platform that supports thousands of
the most popular apps. In just a few minutes, you can set up
automated workflows (called Zaps) that connect your typeforms
with the other apps you use most, so you can save time, reduce
tedious tasks, and focus on your most important work.

Our zapier integration is still in beta and you need to accept
our invitation to use Formito integration in Zapier. Here's
the step you need to follow:

1. [Click here to add Formito integration to your Zapier account.](https://zapier.com/developer/public-invite/25505/1f28021d1b2165fbfbca050f894c86c0/)
2. Create a Formito with all fields you need.
3. Once done, go to Zapier, create a Zap, and enable it
4. Once enabled, back to your Formito builder, make sure you'll refresh the builder to get the connected Zap from the server
5. Add an action for Zapier. Click on it and you should be able to see the connected Zap on the "Select a Zap" dropdown.

Here's a simple Formito that uses Zapier:

![zapier action](connect-zapier.jpg)


Send responses to your zapier account, and from zapier to any other tool or app you work with.

How to connect Formito to Zapier?


Airtable works like a spreadsheet with the power of a database.
You can organize pretty much anything—then edit, comment, and collaborate in real time.
Present information as a grid, calendar, kanban, gallery, and more.

With the Formito app, you can generate new chatbots from your tables — all within Airtable.

The following video walk you through the process. You can install our Airatble app on your account by
[clicking here](https://airtable.com/marketplace/blkxFRsccm8ZcLDeG/formito).

<video
  src="/video/airtable-video.mp4"
  poster="/video/airtable-video.jpg"
  controls
></video>


We created an app for Airtable marketplace so you can convert your board into a formito chatbot with a few clicks.

How to convert Airtable to chatbot?


Click on “Create Formito” button to open the create page.
Click on the “Converters” tab and then select “Formito Version
1.0”. You can go directly to this page by [clicking here](https://app.formito.com/create?tab=converters&tool=formito).
Click next to start the conversion wizard. Simply put your
old API Key and your Formito ID in this form and click "Create
Formito" button. Your old formito will convert to a new one in
a few seconds!


We developed a migration tool for this purpose. It’s part of our converters in create formito page.

How to convert old formito chatbots to the new version?


We developed an add-on for Google Workspace Marketplace to make this conversion as easy as possible.
Go ahead and install [Formito Chatbot addon](https://gsuite.google.com/marketplace/app/formito_chatbot/420604891320)
on your Google workspace.

After installation, open your Google Form and run the "Formito Chatbot" from your "Add-ons" icon.
A popup opens when it has details about how to use the add-on. Simply you should enter your access token and press "Create Formito" button.

![Formito Chatbot Add-on - Create screen](google-addon-img-1.jpg)

After pressing the button, the add-on will create a new chatbot in your workspace with all convertible inputs.
You get details on how to share your chatbot and a link to edit the chatbot in our builder.

![Formito Chatbot Add-on - Share screen](google-addon-img-2.jpg)


In this article you learn how to install Formito addon from Google Marketplace and convert a form into a chatbot.

How to convert Google Forms into a chatbot?


monday.com is an easy way to manage all your team's work.
Create a visual workflow that tracks every task, so everyone knows how things are progressing.
Clear, simple graphics makes it easy to view and adapt your strategy before you run into problems.

With the Formito app, you can generate new chatbots from your boards — all within Monday.

The following video walk you through the process. You can install our Monday app on your workspace by
[clicking here](https://monday.com/marketplace/92).

<video
  src="/video/monday-app-marketplace.mp4"
  poster="/video/monday-app-marketplace-cover.png"
  controls
></video>


We created an app for monday.com marketplace so you can convert your board into a formito chatbot with a few clicks.

How to convert a Monday.com board to a chatbot?


QuickBase is a low-code database and application development platform.
It lets teams work with a common data repository to build forms, create reports, set up workflows and automate processes.

Converting a QuickBase table to a chatbot is very easy.
First, make sure your workspace is connected to your QuickBase by visiting the [connect page](https://app.formito.com/settings/connect).

1. From your dashboard, click on [Create Formito](https://app.formito.com/create) button to open the create page.
2. Click the converters tab.
3. Select Quickbase from the list and click "Next" button.
4. Find ID of your QuickBase table that you want to convert and enter in the input.
5. In the next page, select the fields you want to include in your chatbot.
6. Pick a name for your chatbot and click "Create Formito".

Congratulations! Now you can edit your chatbot by changing messages or add new blocks.


Let's learn how you can quickly turn your QuickBase table into a chatbot using Formito converter tool.

How to create chatbot from QuickBase table?


While you can add Formito widget to your WordPress website using any plugin that can insert HTML code into your page,
but we highly recommend to use our [official plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/formito/) to make it easier.

Go ahead and install our plugin on your WordPress website. If you don't know how to install a plugin please [read official WordPress guide](https://wordpress.org/support/article/managing-plugins/#automatic-plugin-installation).

Once installed, activate the plugin and navigate to the settings page of the plugin. You find a place to insert your chatbot ID and configure more settings.


In this guide you learn what are the easy ways to add a Formito chatbot to your WordPress website.

How to add my chatbot to WordPress?


Zendesk is a support ticketing system, designed to help you track, prioritize, and solve customer support interactions.
More than just a help desk, Zendesk Support helps you nurture your customer relationships with personalized, responsive support across any channel.

##### Connect to Zendesk

Before we start, you need to make sure that your Formito workspace is connected to your Zendesk.
Please check your [connected apps](https://app.formito.com/settings/connect) page and if Zendesk is not connected, click the "Connect" button and follow the instructions.

##### Create your chatbot

You need to create a chatbot before sending records to Zendesk. You can start with one of our templates.
We have a [Submit Support Ticket](https://app.formito.com/templates/peek/ZFsoynrp9TDnofOTNERf) template which should be a good starting point.
[Copy this template](https://app.formito.com/create?templateId=ZFsoynrp9TDnofOTNERf) and make necessary changes.
Once you're happy with the end result, continue to the next section for creating a ticket from chatbot submissions.

##### Add Zendesk action

In this last step, we're adding an action that creates a new ticket on your Zendesk account based on the submitted values to our chatbot.

1. Add an action block to your chatbot and click the "Select an action" button.
2. In the opened popup, select "Creat Ticket" from the list and click "Insert".
3. Now you should configure the action by crafting a message which is probably includes variables.
4. Save your changes and you're ready to test your chatbot.


In this guide you learn how to create a chatbot using Formito to receive support tickets and send it to Zendesk.

How to create a chatbot for Zendesk?


This guide helps you to add Formito to your Shopify store.
If you have not created a chatbot yet and you are not familiar with Formito,
it's recommended to read our [getting started guide](/help/articles/basics/getting-started) first.

#### Requirements

You need to add our script to your website. If you installed our Shopify app on your store, you are good to go.
Otherwise, please add the following code to your theme file, right before the closing `<body>` tag.

```
<script src="https://s.formito.com/ft.js" async></script>
```

#### Open in modal

This method of integration is great when you want to show your Formito chatbot when someone clicks on a link or a button.
For this purpose, your link should be `#formito-{APP_ID}` where you should replace _{APP_ID}_ with your Formito chatbot ID.
For example, the links becomes something like `#formito-F8Uo5AZQdIEITbDVVabt`.

You can get a sample HTML code below.

```
<a href="#formito-F8Uo5AZQdIEITbDVVabt">Open Formito Chatbot</a>
```

#### Embed in your pages

You can embed Formito into a page if you want it to be displayed at all times when a visitor opens your page.
You get the code for embedding your chatbot from your [dashboard](https://app.formito.com) if you click the share button and navigate to Embed tab.
The code will be something similar to the below code where you should replace _{APP_ID}_ with your own Formito chatbot ID.

```
<iframe src="https://x.formito.com/app/{APP_ID}" width="480" height="840" frameBorder="0" style="border:1px solid #eee"></iframe>
```

#### Floating button

Floating button is usually a fixed positioned button that appears at the bottom right corner of a website.
It might have a popover message and clicking the button opens the chatbot.
You can get the code from your [dashboard](https://app.formito.com) if you click the share button and navigate to the Popup tab.
From there, you are able to change the button icon, color, position, shape, and message.
Finally, you need to copy the generated code and add it to your Shopify theme or any of the pages.
The generated code will be similar to the below code with default settings.
Again, _{APP_ID}_ should be replaced with your Formito chatbot ID.

```
<div data-formito-id="{APP_ID}" data-trigger="fab"></div>
```

#### Still need help?

No worries! [Contact us](#formito-ZdRSPoJLBVPN6w2tA3CV) and we'll be happy to help.


In this guide you learn what are the easy ways to add a Formito chatbot to your Shopify website.

How to add my chatbot to Shopify?


This guide helps you to add Formito to your Shopify store.
If you have not created a chatbot yet and you are not familiar with Formito,
it's recommended to read our [getting started guide](/help/articles/basics/getting-started) first.

#### Embed in your pages

You can embed Formito into a page if you want it to be displayed at all times when a visitor opens your page.
You get the code for embedding your chatbot from your [dashboard](https://app.formito.com) if you click the share button and navigate to Embed tab.
The code will be something similar to the below code where you should replace _{APP_ID}_ with your own Formito chatbot ID.

```
<iframe src="https://x.formito.com/app/{APP_ID}" width="480" height="840" frameBorder="0" style="border:1px solid #eee"></iframe>
```

Once you copied the code, open your shopify admin and edit the page, post, or product you want to display your chatbot inside.
In the content editor, click on the “Show HTML” button, and insert the copied code in an appropriate place.
Save your changes and you should be able to see the chatbot on your page.

![Embed Formito in Shopify](shopify-embed.gif)

#### Still need help?

No worries! [Contact us](#formito-ZdRSPoJLBVPN6w2tA3CV) and we'll be happy to help.


In this guide you learn how to embed a Formito chatbot to your Shopify website.

How to embed my chatbot into a Shopify page?


This guide helps you to add Formito to your Shopify store.
If you have not created a chatbot yet and you are not familiar with Formito,
it's recommended to read our [getting started guide](/help/articles/basics/getting-started) first.

#### Floating Button

Floating button is usually a fixed positioned button that appears at the bottom right corner of a website.
It might have a popover message and clicking the button opens the chatbot.
You can get the code from your [dashboard](https://app.formito.com) if you click the share button and navigate to the Floating Button tab.
From there, you are able to change the button icon, color, position, shape, and message.
The generated code will be similar to the below code if you leave it with default settings.
Please note that _{APP_ID}_ should be replaced with your Formito chatbot ID.

```
<div data-formito-id="{APP_ID}" data-trigger="fab"></div>
```

Once you have the code ready, you should decide to show the chatbot on all pages or a specific page.

##### Show on all pages

This one is super easy. Actually, it’s as easy as pressing a button! Once the code is ready, click the “Add to my shop” button and it automatically adds it to your Shopify store.
Click the “Remove from my shop” button and the chatbot removes from your website.

![Buttons to add or remove your chatbot globally](shopify-fab-buttons.jpg)

##### Show on a specific page

Sometimes, you don’t need a global chatbot. Instead, you want to create multiple chatbots to display on different pages.
For this scenario, you need to add the generated code to your page and the easiest method is to add it through your Shopify content editor.
Simply, edit the page, post, or product you want to have the chatbot in, click the “Show HTML” button on top-right side of the editor, and paste the code at the bottom of the page.

![Add floating button to a page](shopify-fab-html.gif)

#### Still need help?

No worries! [Contact us](#formito-ZdRSPoJLBVPN6w2tA3CV) and we'll be happy to help.


In this guide you learn how to add a fixed button to bottom of your Shopify website where users can click on the button and open the chatbot.

How to display Formito chatbot on bottom corner of my Shopify store?


This guide helps you to add Formito to your Shopify store.
If you have not created a chatbot yet and you are not familiar with Formito,
it's recommended to read our [getting started guide](/help/articles/basics/getting-started) first.

#### Popup Formito

This method of integration is great when you want to show your Formito chatbot when someone clicks on a link or a button.
For this purpose, your link should be `#formito-{APP_ID}` where you should replace _{APP_ID}_ with your Formito chatbot ID.
For example, the links becomes something like `#formito-F8Uo5AZQdIEITbDVVabt`.

You get the code for your chatbot from your [dashboard](https://app.formito.com) if you click the share button and navigate to the Popup tab.
To try a real example of such popup, **[click here](#formito-F8Uo5AZQdIEITbDVVabt)**. Following is a real example code if you are editing in HTML:

```
<a href="#formito-F8Uo5AZQdIEITbDVVabt">Open Formito Chatbot</a>
```

If you are using the editor, simply insert a link into your content with the mentioned format of link to field.

![Popup Formito in Shopify](shopify-popup.gif)

#### Still need help?

No worries! [Contact us](#formito-ZdRSPoJLBVPN6w2tA3CV) and we'll be happy to help.


In this guide you learn how to open your Formito chatbot in a popup or modal when the user clicks on a link or button in your Shopify website.

Knowledge Base

List of Articles

Basics