List
Offer up to 10 choices in a WhatsApp menu, grouped in sections, each with its own branch.
What it does#
List sends a message with a menu button. The customer taps the button, sees up to 10 choices (optionally grouped in sections, each with a short description) and picks one. Each choice has its own connection on the canvas.
Use it for service menus, branches or product categories. For up to three quick answers use Buttons. For a simple numbered menu that works the same everywhere use Options.
Set it up#
- 1
Add List and write the message
Drag List onto the canvas, connect the step before into it, and click it. Name it, for example
services, and write the Message above the menu. - 2
Set the menu button
Under List menu, set Menu button text, for example See services (up to 20 characters).
- 3
Add rows
Fill Row 1 title (up to 24 characters) and, if you like, Row 1 description (optional). Click Add row for each extra choice, up to 10 in total.
- 4
Group rows (optional)
Click Add section to start a group. With more than one section, every section needs a title.
- 5
Add a header or footer (optional)
Under Header and footer, add a short line above or below the message.
- 6
Connect every row
Connect each row to its next step. Each row shows Connected or Not connected yet.
- 7
Test it
Click Preview, open the menu and try each choice.
What your customer sees#
On WhatsApp (official API): your message with a button. Tapping it opens the menu; the customer taps a row and the chat follows that row's connection. Typing an answer instead doesn't count: they're asked to pick from the menu.
On a WhatsApp number connected by QR (Green API): a numbered menu. The customer replies with the number or the row title.
On your website: clickable rows.
The chosen row title is saved under the step name: use {{@services}} in later messages.
Messages#
Click the step and open Messages at the bottom of its settings to change what the bot says on its own here. Messages has Typed instead of tapping a button, List button text (when the step leaves it empty), the two numbered-option texts, and Text sent with the buttons when the step has none.
Each field shows the default in grey. Leave it empty to keep the default, or write your own: it applies to every List step in this chatbot and goes live with Publish. Use for all my chatbots makes it the text for all your chatbots (account owner or admin). More texts are in Settings > System messages.
Common problems#
| Problem | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp allows up to 10 rows in a list. | You hit the limit | Remove rows, or split the menu into two steps |
| Add a title. WhatsApp requires one when the list has more than one section. | A section has no title | Give every section a title, or use one section |
| A row title shows as Check-up and clean... | Titles over 24 characters are shortened | Shorten the title; put details in the description |
| Another row has the same title. Customers can't tell them apart. | Two rows share a title | Make each title different |
| A row is missing in WhatsApp | Its title is a variable that was empty | Make sure the variable has a value, or use fixed text |
| Up to 20 characters. WhatsApp rejects a longer menu button. | The button text is too long | Shorten it |
Example#
Clinic services. Message Which service are you interested in?, menu button See services, rows Check-up and cleaning (30 minutes), Teeth whitening and Children's dentistry. Connect each row to a short explanation and then to booking.