Managing blocks

From this article, you will know how to:

• create new blocks;
• change block names;
• copy and paste the chosen block;
• use variables in blocks.

Creating new blocks

There are two ways to create a block:

• Add a block to an empty space in the script.
• Add a block to an existing screen.

Adding a block to an empty space in the script

tip

When you add a block to an empty space in the script you also create a new screen.

1. Hover the mouse pointer over an empty space in your script.
2. Click Add screen button.
3. Select the block you need from the list.
4. Fill in the required block parameters.
5. Click Save.

A new screen will be created with the added block.

Adding a block to an existing screen

1. Click the Block button on the existing screen.
2. Select the block you need from the list.
3. Fill in the required block parameters.
4. Click Save.

Why can’t I add some blocks to a screen?

Sometimes you cannot add a block to a screen. This can happen if you try to add a block that is incompatible with another block already added to your screen.

tip

Tovie DialogStudio verifies that your script is structured properly and doesn’t allow you to use conflicting blocks on the screen.

Block section	Compatibility
Bot response	All available blocks
User says	Blocks from Bot response The Timeout block
Extended capabilities	Blocks from Bot response The Timeout block
Actions, except the Timeout block	Blocks from Bot response

Block name

Each block has a name depending on its type. For example: Text, Intents, HTTP request, etc.

You can rename a block if necessary. This can be useful in large scripts, as it helps you remember what each block does.

To rename the block:

1. Hover the mouse pointer over the name of the block to rename it.
2. Click and enter the new name.
3. Press Enter or click any empty space in your script.

The name will be changed.

Copying and cutting a block

caution

The block connections are not copied when copying and cutting the block.

In Tovie DialogStudio, you can cut a block from one screen and paste it into another. To do that:

1. Hover over the block you need to copy. Click and select Copy block or Cut block.

2. Click in the upper right corner of the screen you want to paste the copied block to. Select Paste block.

caution

You can only paste a block to an existing screen. You cannot paste blocks as new screens.

3. Now the block will appear in the target screen.

caution

If the block conflicts with other blocks on the selected screen, you won’t be able to paste the block over there.

How do I cancel cutting a block?

If you cut a block by mistake, press Ctrl + Z (Cmd + Z for macOS) to return it to the screen.

How do I copy an entire screen with all its blocks?

To avoid a large number of errors in the script, copying an entire screen with all its blocks is not supported.

Using variables

You may need to get some data from the client or from an external system. The bot may later use this information to select its next steps in the script, send this information to an external service, etc.

tip

Some blocks create named variables where data retrieved in this block is stored.

For example, the num to $var block will save the number client enters to the $number variable:

This variable will be available from all screens of the script in the current client session.

tip

To access the variable from another block, specify the $ character before the variable name.

tip

Learn more about using variables in the script