Support interactive dialogs

  • Google Chat apps use dialogs, card-based interfaces, to collect information from users in a multi-step process, triggered by user interactions like button clicks.

  • Dialogs are built using cards with sections for headers, widgets (like text fields and buttons), and actions, allowing for dynamic content and user input.

  • Data is transferred between dialog steps using parameters, enabling the app to maintain context and user progress.

  • Upon submission, the app processes the data, potentially sending a confirmation message and closing the dialog, or presenting another dialog for further interaction.

  • Developers can use provided code snippets in Node.js, Python, Java, and Apps Script to implement dialog functionality and handle user interactions within their Google Chat apps.

This page describes how a Google Chat app can open dialogs to display user interfaces (UIs) and respond to users.

Dialogs are windowed, card-based interfaces that open from a Chat space or message. The dialog and its contents are only visible to the user who opened it.

Chat apps can use dialogs to request and collect information from Chat users, including multi-step forms. For more details on building form inputs, see Collect and process information from users.

Prerequisites

HTTP

A Google Chat app that receives and responds to user interactions. To build one, complete the HTTP quickstart.

Apps Script

A Google Chat app that receives and responds to user interactions. To build one, complete the Apps Script quickstart.

Open a dialog

A dialog featuring a variety of different widgets.
Figure 1: A sample Chat app that opens a dialog to collect contact information.

This section explains how to respond and set up a dialog by doing the following:

  1. Trigger the dialog request from a user interaction.
  2. Handle the request by returning and opening a dialog.
  3. After users submit information, process the submission by either closing the dialog or returning another dialog.

Trigger a dialog request

A Chat app can only open dialogs to respond to a user interaction, such as a command or a button click from a message in a card.

To respond to users with a dialog, a Chat app must build an interaction that triggers the dialog request, such as the following:

  • Respond to a command. To trigger the request from a command, you must check the Opens a dialog checkbox when configuring the command.
  • Respond to a button click in a message, either as part of a card or at the bottom of the message. To trigger the request from a button in a message, you configure the button's onClick action by setting its interaction to OPEN_DIALOG.
  • Respond to a button click in a Chat app homepage. To learn about opening dialogs from homepages, see Build a homepage for your Google Chat app.
Button that triggers a dialog
Figure 2: A Chat app sends a message that prompts users to use the /addContact slash command.
The message also includes a button that users can click to trigger the command.

The following code sample shows how to trigger a dialog request from a button in a card message. To open the dialog, set the field onClick.action.interaction of the button to OPEN_DIALOG:

Node.js

node/chat/contact-form-app/index.js
{ buttonList: { buttons: [{
  text: "ADD CONTACT",
  onClick: { action: {
    function: FUNCTION_URL,
    interaction: "OPEN_DIALOG",
    parameters: [
      { key: "actionName", value: "openInitialDialog" }
    ]
  }}
}]}}

Replace FUNCTION_URL with the HTTP endpoint that handles the button clicks.

Python

python/chat/contact-form-app/main.py
{ 'buttonList': { 'buttons': [{
  'text': "ADD CONTACT",
  'onClick': { 'action': {
    'function': FUNCTION_URL,
    'interaction': "OPEN_DIALOG",
    'parameters': [
      { 'key': "actionName", 'value': "openInitialDialog" }
    ]
  }}
}]}}

Replace FUNCTION_URL with the HTTP endpoint that handles the button clicks.

Java

java/chat/contact-form-app/src/main/java/com/google/chat/contact/App.java
.setButtonList(new GoogleAppsCardV1ButtonList().setButtons(List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Button()
  .setText("ADD CONTACT")
  .setOnClick(new GoogleAppsCardV1OnClick().setAction(new GoogleAppsCardV1Action()
    .setFunction(FUNCTION_URL)
    .setInteraction("OPEN_DIALOG")
    .setParameters(List.of(
      new GoogleAppsCardV1ActionParameter().setKey("actionName").setValue("openInitialDialog"))))))))));

Replace FUNCTION_URL with the HTTP endpoint that handles the button clicks.

Apps Script

This example sends a card message by returning card JSON. You can also use the Apps Script card service.

apps-script/chat/contact-form-app/Code.gs
{ buttonList: { buttons: [{
  text: "ADD CONTACT",
  onClick: { action: {
    function: "openInitialDialog",
    interaction: "OPEN_DIALOG"
  }}
}]}}

Open the initial dialog

When a user triggers a dialog request, your Chat app receives an event object with a payload that specifies a dialogEventType object as REQUEST_DIALOG.

To open a dialog, your Chat app can respond to the request by returning a RenderActions object with the navigation pushCard to display a card. The card should contain any user interface (UI) elements, including one or more sections[] of widgets. To collect information from users, you can specify form input widgets and a button widget. To learn more about designing form inputs, see Collect and process information from users.

The following code sample shows how a Chat app returns a response that opens a dialog:

Node.js

node/chat/contact-form-app/index.js
/**
 * Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
 *
 * @return {Object} open the dialog.
 */
function openInitialDialog() {
  return { action: { navigations: [{ pushCard: { sections: [{ widgets: [
    { textInput: {
      name: "contactName",
      label: "First and last name",
      type: "SINGLE_LINE"
    }},
    { dateTimePicker: {
      name: "contactBirthdate",
      label: "Birthdate",
      type: "DATE_ONLY"
    }},
    { selectionInput: {
      name: "contactType",
      label: "Contact type",
      type: "RADIO_BUTTON",
      items: [
        { text: "Work", value: "Work", selected: false },
        { text: "Personal", value: "Personal", selected: false }
      ]
    }},
    { buttonList: { buttons: [{
      text: "NEXT",
      onClick: { action: {
        function: FUNCTION_URL,
        parameters: [
          { key: "actionName", value: "openConfirmationDialog" }
        ]
      }}
    }]}}
  ]}]}}]}};
}

Replace FUNCTION_URL with the HTTP endpoint that handles the button clicks.

Python

python/chat/contact-form-app/main.py
def open_initial_dialog() -> Mapping[str, Any]:
  """Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.

  Returns:
    Mapping[str, Any]: open the dialog.
  """
  return { 'action': { 'navigations': [{ 'pushCard': { 'sections': [{ 'widgets': [
    { 'textInput': {
      'name': "contactName",
      'label': "First and last name",
      'type': "SINGLE_LINE"
    }},
    { 'dateTimePicker': {
      'name': "contactBirthdate",
      'label': "Birthdate",
      'type': "DATE_ONLY"
    }},
    { 'selectionInput': {
      'name': "contactType",
      'label': "Contact type",
      'type': "RADIO_BUTTON",
      'items': [
        { 'text': "Work", 'value': "Work", 'selected': False },
        { 'text': "Personal", 'value': "Personal", 'selected': False }
      ]
    }},
    { 'buttonList': { 'buttons': [{
      'text': "NEXT",
      'onClick': { 'action': {
        'function': FUNCTION_URL,
        'parameters': [
          { 'key': "actionName", 'value': "openConfirmationDialog" }
        ]
      }}
    }]}}
  ]}]}}]}}

Replace FUNCTION_URL with the HTTP endpoint that handles the button clicks.

Java

java/chat/contact-form-app/src/main/java/com/google/chat/contact/App.java
/**
 * Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
 *
 * @return {Object} open the dialog.
 */
GenericJson openInitialDialog() {
  GoogleAppsCardV1Card cardV2 = new GoogleAppsCardV1Card()
    .setSections(List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Section().setWidgets(List.of(
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setTextInput(new GoogleAppsCardV1TextInput()
        .setName("contactName")
        .setLabel("First and last name")
        .setType("SINGLE_LINE")),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setDateTimePicker(new GoogleAppsCardV1DateTimePicker()
        .setName("contactBirthdate")
        .setLabel("Birthdate")
        .setType("DATE_ONLY")),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setSelectionInput(new GoogleAppsCardV1SelectionInput()
        .setName("contactType")
        .setLabel("Contact type")
        .setType("RADIO_BUTTON")
        .setItems(List.of(
          new GoogleAppsCardV1SelectionItem()
            .setText("Work")
            .setValue("Work")
            .setSelected(false),
          new GoogleAppsCardV1SelectionItem()
            .setText("Personal")
            .setValue("Personal")
            .setSelected(false)))),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setButtonList(new GoogleAppsCardV1ButtonList().setButtons(List.of(
        new GoogleAppsCardV1Button()
          .setText("NEXT")
          .setOnClick(new GoogleAppsCardV1OnClick().setAction(new GoogleAppsCardV1Action()
            .setFunction(FUNCTION_URL)
            .setParameters(List.of(
              new GoogleAppsCardV1ActionParameter().setKey("actionName").setValue("openConfirmationDialog"))))))))))));
  return new GenericJson() {{
    put("action", new GenericJson() {{
      put("navigations", List.of(new GenericJson() {{
        put("pushCard", cardV2);
      }}));
    }});
  }};
}

Replace FUNCTION_URL with the HTTP endpoint that handles the button clicks.

Apps Script

This example sends a card message by returning card JSON. You can also use the Apps Script card service.

apps-script/chat/contact-form-app/Code.gs
/**
 * Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
 *
 * @param {Object} event The event object from the Google Workspace add-on.
 * @return {Object} open the dialog.
 */
function openInitialDialog(event) {
  return { action: { navigations: [{ pushCard: { sections: [{ widgets: [
    { textInput: {
      name: "contactName",
      label: "First and last name",
      type: "SINGLE_LINE"
    }},
    { dateTimePicker: {
      name: "contactBirthdate",
      label: "Birthdate",
      type: "DATE_ONLY"
    }},
    { selectionInput: {
      name: "contactType",
      label: "Contact type",
      type: "RADIO_BUTTON",
      items: [
        { text: "Work", value: "Work", selected: false },
        { text: "Personal", value: "Personal", selected: false }
      ]
    }},
    { buttonList: { buttons: [{
      text: "NEXT",
      onClick: { action: { function : "openConfirmationDialog" }}
    }]}}
  ]}]}}]}};
}

Handle the dialog submission

When users click a button that submits a dialog, your Chat app receives an event object with a buttonClickedPayload object. In the payload, the dialogEventType is set to SUBMIT_DIALOG. To understand how to collect and process the information in the dialog, see Collect and process information from Google Chat users.

Your Chat app must respond to the event object by doing one of the following:

Optional: Return another dialog

After users submit the initial dialog, Chat apps can return one or more additional dialogs to help users review information before submitting, complete multi-step forms, or populate form content dynamically.

To process the data that users input, the Chat app handles the data in the event's commonEventObject.formInputs object. To learn more about retrieving values from input widgets, see Collect and process information from users.

To keep track of any data that users input from the initial dialog, you must add parameters to the button that opens the next dialog. For details, see Transfer data to another card.

In this example, a Chat app opens an initial dialog that leads to a second dialog for confirmation before submitting:

Node.js

node/chat/contact-form-app/index.js
/**
 * Responds to a message in Google Chat.
 *
 * @return {Object} response that handles dialogs.
 */
function handleMessage() {
  return { hostAppDataAction: { chatDataAction: { createMessageAction: { message: {
    text: "To add a contact, use the `ADD CONTACT` button below.",
    accessoryWidgets: [
      { buttonList: { buttons: [{
        text: "ADD CONTACT",
        onClick: { action: {
          function: FUNCTION_URL,
          interaction: "OPEN_DIALOG",
          parameters: [
            { key: "actionName", value: "openInitialDialog" }
          ]
        }}
      }]}}
    ]
  }}}}};
}

/**
 * Responds to a button clicked in Google Chat.
 *
 * @param {Object} event The event object from the Google Workspace add-on.
 * @return {Object} response depending on the button clicked.
 */
function handleButtonClicked(event) {
  // Initial dialog form page
  if (event.commonEventObject.parameters.actionName === "openInitialDialog") {
    return openInitialDialog();
  // Confirmation dialog form page
  } else if (event.commonEventObject.parameters.actionName === "openConfirmationDialog") {
    return openConfirmationDialog(event);
  // Submission dialog form page
  } else if (event.commonEventObject.parameters.actionName === "submitDialog") {
    return submitDialog(event);
  }
}

/**
 * Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
 *
 * @return {Object} open the dialog.
 */
function openInitialDialog() {
  return { action: { navigations: [{ pushCard: { sections: [{ widgets: [
    { textInput: {
      name: "contactName",
      label: "First and last name",
      type: "SINGLE_LINE"
    }},
    { dateTimePicker: {
      name: "contactBirthdate",
      label: "Birthdate",
      type: "DATE_ONLY"
    }},
    { selectionInput: {
      name: "contactType",
      label: "Contact type",
      type: "RADIO_BUTTON",
      items: [
        { text: "Work", value: "Work", selected: false },
        { text: "Personal", value: "Personal", selected: false }
      ]
    }},
    { buttonList: { buttons: [{
      text: "NEXT",
      onClick: { action: {
        function: FUNCTION_URL,
        parameters: [
          { key: "actionName", value: "openConfirmationDialog" }
        ]
      }}
    }]}}
  ]}]}}]}};
}

/**
 * Opens the second step of the dialog that lets users confirm details.
 *
 * @param {Object} event The event object from the Google Workspace add-on.
 * @return {Object} update the dialog.
 */
function openConfirmationDialog(event) {
  // Retrieve the form input values
  const name = event.commonEventObject.formInputs["contactName"].stringInputs.value[0];
  const birthdate = event.commonEventObject.formInputs["contactBirthdate"].dateInput.msSinceEpoch;
  const type = event.commonEventObject.formInputs["contactType"].stringInputs.value[0];
  // Display the input values for confirmation
  return { action: { navigations: [{ pushCard: { sections: [{ widgets: [
    { textParagraph: { text: "Confirm contact information and submit:" }},
    { textParagraph: { text: "<b>Name:</b> " + name }},
    { textParagraph: { text: "<b>Birthday:</b> " + new Date(birthdate) }},
    { textParagraph: { text: "<b>Type:</b> " + type }},
    { buttonList: { buttons: [{
      text: "SUBMIT",
      onClick: { action: {
        function: FUNCTION_URL,
        parameters: [
          { key: "actionName", value: "submitDialog" },
          // Pass input values as parameters for last dialog step (submission)
          { key: "contactName", value: name },
          { key: "contactBirthdate", value: birthdate },
          { key: "contactType", value: type }
        ]
      }}
    }]}}
  ]}]}}]}};
}

Replace FUNCTION_URL with the HTTP endpoint that handles the button clicks.

Python

python/chat/contact-form-app/main.py
def handle_message() -> Mapping[str, Any]:
  """Responds to a message in Google Chat.

  Returns:
    Mapping[str, Any]: the response that handles dialogs.
  """
  return { 'hostAppDataAction': { 'chatDataAction': { 'createMessageAction': { 'message': {
    'text': "To add a contact, use the `ADD CONTACT` button below.",
    'accessoryWidgets': [
      { 'buttonList': { 'buttons': [{
        'text': "ADD CONTACT",
        'onClick': { 'action': {
          'function': FUNCTION_URL,
          'interaction': "OPEN_DIALOG",
          'parameters': [
            { 'key': "actionName", 'value': "openInitialDialog" }
          ]
        }}
      }]}}
    ]
  }}}}}


def handle_button_clicked(event: Mapping[str, Any]) -> Mapping[str, Any]:
  """Responds to a button clicked in Google Chat.

  Args:
    Mapping[str, Any] event: the event object from the Google Workspace add-on

  Returns:
    Mapping[str, Any]: the response depending on the button clicked.
  """
  # Initial dialog form page
  if "openInitialDialog" == event['commonEventObject']['parameters']['actionName']:
    return open_initial_dialog()
  # Confirmation dialog form page
  elif "openConfirmationDialog" == event['commonEventObject']['parameters']['actionName'] :
    return open_confirmation_dialog(event)
  # Submission dialog form page
  elif "submitDialog" == event['commonEventObject']['parameters']['actionName']:
    return submit_dialog(event)


def open_initial_dialog() -> Mapping[str, Any]:
  """Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.

  Returns:
    Mapping[str, Any]: open the dialog.
  """
  return { 'action': { 'navigations': [{ 'pushCard': { 'sections': [{ 'widgets': [
    { 'textInput': {
      'name': "contactName",
      'label': "First and last name",
      'type': "SINGLE_LINE"
    }},
    { 'dateTimePicker': {
      'name': "contactBirthdate",
      'label': "Birthdate",
      'type': "DATE_ONLY"
    }},
    { 'selectionInput': {
      'name': "contactType",
      'label': "Contact type",
      'type': "RADIO_BUTTON",
      'items': [
        { 'text': "Work", 'value': "Work", 'selected': False },
        { 'text': "Personal", 'value': "Personal", 'selected': False }
      ]
    }},
    { 'buttonList': { 'buttons': [{
      'text': "NEXT",
      'onClick': { 'action': {
        'function': FUNCTION_URL,
        'parameters': [
          { 'key': "actionName", 'value': "openConfirmationDialog" }
        ]
      }}
    }]}}
  ]}]}}]}}


def open_confirmation_dialog(event: Mapping[str, Any]) -> Mapping[str, Any]:
  """Opens the second step of the dialog that lets users confirm details.

  Args:
    Mapping[str, Any] event: the event object from the Google Workspace add-on

  Returns:
    Mapping[str, Any]: update the dialog.
  """
  name = event.get('commonEventObject').get('formInputs')["contactName"].get('stringInputs').get('value')[0]
  birthdateEpoch = event.get('commonEventObject').get('formInputs')["contactBirthdate"].get('dateInput').get('msSinceEpoch')
  birthdate = datetime.fromtimestamp(int(birthdateEpoch) / 1000.0).strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
  type = event.get('commonEventObject').get('formInputs')["contactType"].get('stringInputs').get('value')[0]
  # Display the input values for confirmation
  return { 'action': { 'navigations': [{ 'pushCard': { 'sections': [{ 'widgets': [
    { 'textParagraph': { 'text': "Confirm contact information and submit:" }},
    { 'textParagraph': { 'text': "<b>Name:</b> " + name }},
    { 'textParagraph': { 'text': "<b>Birthday:</b> " + birthdate }},
    { 'textParagraph': { 'text': "<b>Type:</b> " + type }},
    { 'buttonList': { 'buttons': [{
      'text': "SUBMIT",
      'onClick': { 'action': {
        'function': FUNCTION_URL,
        'parameters': [
          { 'key': "actionName", 'value': "submitDialog" },
          # Pass input values as parameters for last dialog step (submission)
          { 'key': "contactName", 'value': name },
          { 'key': "contactBirthdate", 'value': birthdate },
          { 'key': "contactType", 'value': type }
        ]
      }}
    }]}}
  ]}]}}]}}

Replace FUNCTION_URL with the HTTP endpoint that handles the button clicks.

Java

java/chat/contact-form-app/src/main/java/com/google/chat/contact/App.java
/**
 * Responds to a message in Google Chat.
 *
 * @return response that handles dialogs.
 */
GenericJson handleMessage() {
  Message message = new Message()
    .setText("To add a contact, use the `ADD CONTACT` button below.")
    .setAccessoryWidgets(List.of(new AccessoryWidget()
      .setButtonList(new GoogleAppsCardV1ButtonList().setButtons(List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Button()
        .setText("ADD CONTACT")
        .setOnClick(new GoogleAppsCardV1OnClick().setAction(new GoogleAppsCardV1Action()
          .setFunction(FUNCTION_URL)
          .setInteraction("OPEN_DIALOG")
          .setParameters(List.of(
            new GoogleAppsCardV1ActionParameter().setKey("actionName").setValue("openInitialDialog"))))))))));
  return new GenericJson() {{
    put("hostAppDataAction", new GenericJson() {{
      put("chatDataAction", new GenericJson() {{
        put("createMessageAction", new GenericJson() {{
          put("message", message);
        }});
      }});
    }});
  }};
}

/**
 * Responds to a button clicked in Google Chat.
 *
 * @param event The event object from the Google Workspace add-on.
 * @return response depending on the button clicked.
 */
GenericJson handleButtonClicked(JsonNode event) {
  String actionName = event.at("/commonEventObject/parameters/actionName").asText();
  // Initial dialog form page
  if ("openInitialDialog".equals(actionName)) {
    return openInitialDialog();
  // Confirmation dialog form page
  } else if ("openConfirmationDialog".equals(actionName)) {
    return openConfirmationDialog(event);
  // Submission dialog form page
  } else if ("submitDialog".equals(actionName)) {
    return submitDialog(event);
  }
  return null; 
}

/**
 * Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
 *
 * @return {Object} open the dialog.
 */
GenericJson openInitialDialog() {
  GoogleAppsCardV1Card cardV2 = new GoogleAppsCardV1Card()
    .setSections(List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Section().setWidgets(List.of(
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setTextInput(new GoogleAppsCardV1TextInput()
        .setName("contactName")
        .setLabel("First and last name")
        .setType("SINGLE_LINE")),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setDateTimePicker(new GoogleAppsCardV1DateTimePicker()
        .setName("contactBirthdate")
        .setLabel("Birthdate")
        .setType("DATE_ONLY")),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setSelectionInput(new GoogleAppsCardV1SelectionInput()
        .setName("contactType")
        .setLabel("Contact type")
        .setType("RADIO_BUTTON")
        .setItems(List.of(
          new GoogleAppsCardV1SelectionItem()
            .setText("Work")
            .setValue("Work")
            .setSelected(false),
          new GoogleAppsCardV1SelectionItem()
            .setText("Personal")
            .setValue("Personal")
            .setSelected(false)))),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setButtonList(new GoogleAppsCardV1ButtonList().setButtons(List.of(
        new GoogleAppsCardV1Button()
          .setText("NEXT")
          .setOnClick(new GoogleAppsCardV1OnClick().setAction(new GoogleAppsCardV1Action()
            .setFunction(FUNCTION_URL)
            .setParameters(List.of(
              new GoogleAppsCardV1ActionParameter().setKey("actionName").setValue("openConfirmationDialog"))))))))))));
  return new GenericJson() {{
    put("action", new GenericJson() {{
      put("navigations", List.of(new GenericJson() {{
        put("pushCard", cardV2);
      }}));
    }});
  }};
}

/**
 * Opens the second step of the dialog that lets users confirm details.
 *
 * @param event The event object from the Google Workspace add-on.
 * @return update the dialog.
 */
GenericJson openConfirmationDialog(JsonNode event) {
  // Retrieve the form input values
  String name = event.at("/commonEventObject/formInputs/contactName/stringInputs/value").get(0).asText();
  String birthdateEpoch = event.at("/commonEventObject/formInputs/contactBirthdate/dateInput/msSinceEpoch").asText();
  String birthdate = new SimpleDateFormat("MM/dd/yyyy").format(new Date((long)Double.parseDouble(birthdateEpoch)));
  String type = event.at("/commonEventObject/formInputs/contactType/stringInputs/value").get(0).asText();
  // Display the input values for confirmation
  GoogleAppsCardV1Card cardV2 = new GoogleAppsCardV1Card()
    .setSections(List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Section().setWidgets(List.of(
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setTextParagraph(new GoogleAppsCardV1TextParagraph()
        .setText("Confirm contact information and submit:")),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setTextParagraph(new GoogleAppsCardV1TextParagraph()
        .setText("<b>Name:</b> " + name)),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setTextParagraph(new GoogleAppsCardV1TextParagraph()
        .setText("<b>Birthday:</b> " + birthdate)),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setTextParagraph(new GoogleAppsCardV1TextParagraph()
        .setText("<b>Type:</b> " + type)),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setButtonList(new GoogleAppsCardV1ButtonList().setButtons(List.of(
        new GoogleAppsCardV1Button()
          .setText("SUBMIT")
          .setOnClick(new GoogleAppsCardV1OnClick().setAction(new GoogleAppsCardV1Action()
            .setFunction(FUNCTION_URL)
            .setParameters(List.of(
              new GoogleAppsCardV1ActionParameter().setKey("actionName").setValue("submitDialog"),
              // Pass input values as parameters for last dialog step (submission)
              new GoogleAppsCardV1ActionParameter().setKey("contactName").setValue(name),
              new GoogleAppsCardV1ActionParameter().setKey("contactBirthdate").setValue(birthdate),
              new GoogleAppsCardV1ActionParameter().setKey("contactType").setValue(type))))))))))));
  return new GenericJson() {{
    put("action", new GenericJson() {{
      put("navigations", List.of(new GenericJson() {{
        put("pushCard", cardV2);
      }}));
    }});
  }};
}

Replace FUNCTION_URL with the HTTP endpoint that handles the button clicks.

Apps Script

This example sends a card message by returning card JSON. You can also use the Apps Script card service.

apps-script/chat/contact-form-app/Code.gs
/**
 * Responds to a message in Google Chat.
 *
 * @param {Object} event The event object from the Google Workspace add-on.
 * @return {Object} response that handles dialogs.
 */
function onMessage(event) {
  // Reply with a message that contains a button to open the initial dialog
  return { hostAppDataAction: { chatDataAction: { createMessageAction: { message: {
    text: "To add a contact, use the `ADD CONTACT` button below.",
    accessoryWidgets: [
      { buttonList: { buttons: [{
        text: "ADD CONTACT",
        onClick: { action: {
          function: "openInitialDialog",
          interaction: "OPEN_DIALOG"
        }}
      }]}}
    ]
  }}}}};
}

/**
 * Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
 *
 * @param {Object} event The event object from the Google Workspace add-on.
 * @return {Object} open the dialog.
 */
function openInitialDialog(event) {
  return { action: { navigations: [{ pushCard: { sections: [{ widgets: [
    { textInput: {
      name: "contactName",
      label: "First and last name",
      type: "SINGLE_LINE"
    }},
    { dateTimePicker: {
      name: "contactBirthdate",
      label: "Birthdate",
      type: "DATE_ONLY"
    }},
    { selectionInput: {
      name: "contactType",
      label: "Contact type",
      type: "RADIO_BUTTON",
      items: [
        { text: "Work", value: "Work", selected: false },
        { text: "Personal", value: "Personal", selected: false }
      ]
    }},
    { buttonList: { buttons: [{
      text: "NEXT",
      onClick: { action: { function : "openConfirmationDialog" }}
    }]}}
  ]}]}}]}};
}

/**
 * Opens the second step of the dialog that lets users confirm details.
 *
 * @param {Object} event The event object from the Google Workspace add-on.
 * @return {Object} update the dialog.
 */
function openConfirmationDialog(event) {
  // Retrieve the form input values
  const name = event.commonEventObject.formInputs["contactName"].stringInputs.value[0];
  const birthdate = event.commonEventObject.formInputs["contactBirthdate"].dateInput.msSinceEpoch;
  const type = event.commonEventObject.formInputs["contactType"].stringInputs.value[0];
  // Display the input values for confirmation
  return { action: { navigations: [{ pushCard: { sections: [{ widgets: [
    { textParagraph: { text: "Confirm contact information and submit:" }},
    { textParagraph: { text: "<b>Name:</b> " + name }},
    { textParagraph: { text: "<b>Birthday:</b> " + new Date(birthdate) }},
    { textParagraph: { text: "<b>Type:</b> " + type }},
    { buttonList: { buttons: [{
      text: "SUBMIT",
      onClick: { action: {
        function: "submitDialog",
        // Pass input values as parameters for last dialog step (submission)
        parameters: [
          { key: "contactName", value: name },
          { key: "contactBirthdate", value: birthdate },
          { key: "contactType", value: type }
        ]
      }}
    }]}}
  ]}]}}]}};
}

Close the dialog

When users click a submit button on a dialog, your Chat app executes its associated action and provides the event object with buttonClickedPayload set to the following:

  • isDialogEvent is true.
  • dialogEventType is SUBMIT_DIALOG.

The Chat app should return a RenderActions object with endNavigation set to CLOSE_DIALOG (endNavigation: "CLOSE_DIALOG").

Optional: Display a temporary notification

When you close the dialog, you can also display a temporary text notification to the user who is interacting with the app.

To display a notification, return the RenderActions object with the field notification set.

The following example closes the dialog with a text notification:

Node.js

node/chat/contact-form-app/index.js
// Validate the parameters.
if (!event.commonEventObject.parameters["contactName"]) {
  return { action: {
    navigations: [{ endNavigation: { action: "CLOSE_DIALOG"}}],
    notification: { text: "Failure, the contact name was missing!" }
  }};
}

Python

python/chat/contact-form-app/main.py
# Validate the parameters.
if event.get('commonEventObject').get('parameters')["contactName"] == "":
  return { 'action': {
    'navigations': [{ 'endNavigation': { 'action': "CLOSE_DIALOG"}}],
    'notification': { 'text': "Failure, the contact name was missing!" }
  }}

Java

java/chat/contact-form-app/src/main/java/com/google/chat/contact/App.java
    // Validate the parameters.
    if (event.at("/commonEventObject/parameters/contactName").asText().isEmpty()) {
      return new GenericJson() {{
        put("action", new GenericJson() {{
          put("navigations", List.of(new GenericJson() {{
            put("endNavigation", new GenericJson() {{
              put("action", "CLOSE_DIALOG");
            }});
          }}));
          put("notification", new GenericJson() {{
            put("text", "Failure, the contact name was missing!");
          }});
        }});
      }};
    }

    return new GenericJson() {{
      put("hostAppDataAction", new GenericJson() {{
        put("chatDataAction", new GenericJson() {{
          put("createMessageAction", new GenericJson() {{
            put("message", new Message()
              .setText( "✅ " + event.at("/commonEventObject/parameters/contactName").asText() +
                        " has been added to your contacts."));
          }});
        }});
      }});
    }};
  }
}

Apps Script

This example sends a card message by returning card JSON. You can also use the Apps Script card service.

apps-script/chat/contact-form-app/Code.gs
// Validate the parameters.
if (!event.commonEventObject.parameters["contactName"]) {
  return { action: {
    navigations: [{ endNavigation: { action: "CLOSE_DIALOG"}}],
    notification: { text: "Failure, the contact name was missing!" }
  }};
}

For details about passing parameters between dialogs, see Transfer data to another card.

Optional: Send a confirmation Chat message

When you close the dialog, you can also send a new Chat message, or update an existing one.

To send a new message, return a DataActions object with the field CreateMessageAction set with the new message. The following example closes the dialog by sending a new message:

Node.js

node/chat/contact-form-app/index.js
return { hostAppDataAction: { chatDataAction: { createMessageAction: { message: {
  text: "✅ " + event.commonEventObject.parameters["contactName"] + " has been added to your contacts."
}}}}};

Python

python/chat/contact-form-app/main.py
return { 'hostAppDataAction': { 'chatDataAction': { 'createMessageAction': { 'message': {
  'text': "✅ " + event.get('commonEventObject').get('parameters')["contactName"] + " has been added to your contacts."
}}}}}

Java

java/chat/contact-form-app/src/main/java/com/google/chat/contact/App.java
return new GenericJson() {{
  put("hostAppDataAction", new GenericJson() {{
    put("chatDataAction", new GenericJson() {{
      put("createMessageAction", new GenericJson() {{
        put("message", new Message()
          .setText( "✅ " + event.at("/commonEventObject/parameters/contactName").asText() +
                    " has been added to your contacts."));
      }});
    }});
  }});
}};

Apps Script

This example sends a card message by returning card JSON. You can also use the Apps Script card service.

apps-script/chat/contact-form-app/Code.gs
return { hostAppDataAction: { chatDataAction: { createMessageAction: { message: {
  text: "✅ " + event.commonEventObject.parameters["contactName"] + " has been added to your contacts."
}}}}};

To update a message after the user submits a dialog, return a DataActions object that contains one of the following actions:

Troubleshoot

When a Google Chat app or card returns an error, the Chat interface surfaces a message saying "Something went wrong." or "Unable to process your request." Sometimes the Chat UI doesn't display any error message, but the Chat app or card produces an unexpected result; for example, a card message might not appear.

Although an error message might not display in the Chat UI, descriptive error messages and log data are available to help you fix errors when error logging for Chat apps is turned on. For help viewing, debugging, and fixing errors, see Troubleshoot and fix Google Chat errors.

Chat apps that aren't add-ons: Open interactive dialogs

The following documentation applies to Chat apps that aren't Google Workspace add-ons. To migrate a Chat app that isn't an add-on, see Convert a Google Chat app to a Google Workspace add-on.

Trigger a dialog request

The following code sample shows how a Chat app that isn't an add-on triggers a dialog request from a button in a card message. To open the dialog, the button.interaction field is set to OPEN_DIALOG:

Node.js

node/contact-form-app/index.js
buttonList: { buttons: [{
  text: "Add Contact",
  onClick: { action: {
    function: "openInitialDialog",
    interaction: "OPEN_DIALOG"
  }}
}]}

Python

python/contact-form-app/main.py
'buttonList': { 'buttons': [{
  'text': "Add Contact",
  'onClick': { 'action': {
    'function': "openInitialDialog",
    'interaction': "OPEN_DIALOG"
  }}
}]}

Java

java/contact-form-app/src/main/java/com/google/chat/contact/App.java
.setButtonList(new GoogleAppsCardV1ButtonList().setButtons(List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Button()
  .setText("Add Contact")
  .setOnClick(new GoogleAppsCardV1OnClick().setAction(new GoogleAppsCardV1Action()
    .setFunction("openInitialDialog")
    .setInteraction("OPEN_DIALOG"))))))));

Apps Script

This example sends a card message by returning card JSON. You can also use the Apps Script card service.

apps-script/contact-form-app/main.gs
buttonList: { buttons: [{
  text: "Add Contact",
  onClick: { action: {
    function: "openInitialDialog",
    interaction: "OPEN_DIALOG"
  }}
}]}

Open the initial dialog

When a user triggers a dialog request, a Chat app that isn't an add-on receives an interaction event, represented as an event type in the Chat API. If the interaction triggers a dialog request, the event's dialogEventType field is set to REQUEST_DIALOG.

To open a dialog, a Chat app that isn't an add-on can respond to the request by returning an actionResponse object with type: "DIALOG" and a Message object. To specify the contents of the dialog, you include the following objects:

  • An actionResponse object, with its type set to DIALOG.
  • A dialogAction object. The body field contains the user interface (UI) elements to display in the card, including one or more sections of widgets. To collect information from users, you can specify form input widgets and a button widget.

The following code sample shows how a Chat app that isn't an add-on returns a response that opens a dialog:

Node.js

node/contact-form-app/index.js
/**
 * Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
 *
 * @return {Object} a message with an action response to open a dialog.
 */
function openInitialDialog() {
  return { actionResponse: {
    type: "DIALOG",
    dialogAction: { dialog: { body: { sections: [{
      header: "Add new contact",
      widgets: CONTACT_FORM_WIDGETS.concat([{
        buttonList: { buttons: [{
          text: "Review and submit",
          onClick: { action: { function: "openConfirmation" }}
        }]}
      }])
    }]}}}
  }};
}

Python

python/contact-form-app/main.py
def open_initial_dialog() -> dict:
  """Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details."""
  return { 'actionResponse': {
    'type': "DIALOG",
    'dialogAction': { 'dialog': { 'body': { 'sections': [{
      'header': "Add new contact",
      'widgets': CONTACT_FORM_WIDGETS + [{
        'buttonList': { 'buttons': [{
          'text': "Review and submit",
          'onClick': { 'action': { 'function': "openConfirmation" }}
        }]}
      }]
    }]}}}
  }}

Java

java/contact-form-app/src/main/java/com/google/chat/contact/App.java
// Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
Message openInitialDialog() {
  return new Message().setActionResponse(new ActionResponse()
    .setType("DIALOG")
    .setDialogAction(new DialogAction().setDialog(new Dialog().setBody(new GoogleAppsCardV1Card()
      .setSections(List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Section()
        .setHeader("Add new contact")
        .setWidgets(Stream.concat(
          CONTACT_FORM_WIDGETS.stream(),
          List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget()
            .setButtonList(new GoogleAppsCardV1ButtonList().setButtons(List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Button()
            .setText("Review and submit")
            .setOnClick(new GoogleAppsCardV1OnClick().setAction(new GoogleAppsCardV1Action()
              .setFunction("openConfirmation"))))))).stream()).collect(Collectors.toList()))))))));
}

Apps Script

This example sends a card message by returning card JSON. You can also use the Apps Script card service.

apps-script/contact-form-app/main.gs
/**
 * Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
 *
 * @return {Object} a message with an action response to open a dialog.
 */
function openInitialDialog() {
  return { actionResponse: {
    type: "DIALOG",
    dialogAction: { dialog: { body: { sections: [{
      header: "Add new contact",
      widgets: CONTACT_FORM_WIDGETS.concat([{
        buttonList: { buttons: [{
          text: "Review and submit",
          onClick: { action: { function: "openConfirmation" }}
        }]}
      }])
    }]}}}
  }};
}

Handle the dialog submission

When users click a button that submits a dialog, a Chat app that isn't an add-on receives a CARD_CLICKED interaction event where the dialogEventType is SUBMIT_DIALOG.

Optional: Return another dialog

To process the data that users input in a Chat app that isn't an add-on, the Chat app uses the event.common.formInputs object.

In this example, a Chat app that isn't an add-on opens an initial dialog that leads to a second dialog for confirmation before submitting:

Node.js

node/contact-form-app/index.js
/**
 * Responds to CARD_CLICKED interaction events in Google Chat.
 *
 * @param {Object} event the CARD_CLICKED interaction event from Google Chat.
 * @return {Object} message responses specific to the dialog handling.
 */
function onCardClick(event) {
  // Initial dialog form page
  if (event.common.invokedFunction === "openInitialDialog") {
    return openInitialDialog();
  // Confirmation dialog form page
  } else if (event.common.invokedFunction === "openConfirmation") {
    return openConfirmation(event);
  // Submission dialog form page
  } else if (event.common.invokedFunction === "submitForm") {
    return submitForm(event);
  }
}

/**
 * Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
 *
 * @return {Object} a message with an action response to open a dialog.
 */
function openInitialDialog() {
  return { actionResponse: {
    type: "DIALOG",
    dialogAction: { dialog: { body: { sections: [{
      header: "Add new contact",
      widgets: CONTACT_FORM_WIDGETS.concat([{
        buttonList: { buttons: [{
          text: "Review and submit",
          onClick: { action: { function: "openConfirmation" }}
        }]}
      }])
    }]}}}
  }};
}

/**
 * Returns the second step as a dialog or card message that lets users confirm details.
 *
 * @param {Object} event the interactive event with form inputs.
 * @return {Object} returns a dialog or private card message.
 */
function openConfirmation(event) {
  const name = fetchFormValue(event, "contactName") ?? "";
  const birthdate = fetchFormValue(event, "contactBirthdate") ?? "";
  const type = fetchFormValue(event, "contactType") ?? "";
  const cardConfirmation = {
    header: "Your contact",
    widgets: [{
      textParagraph: { text: "Confirm contact information and submit:" }}, {
      textParagraph: { text: "<b>Name:</b> " + name }}, {
      textParagraph: {
        text: "<b>Birthday:</b> " + convertMillisToDateString(birthdate)
      }}, {
      textParagraph: { text: "<b>Type:</b> " + type }}, {
      buttonList: { buttons: [{
        text: "Submit",
        onClick: { action: {
          function: "submitForm",
          parameters: [{
            key: "contactName", value: name }, {
            key: "contactBirthdate", value: birthdate }, {
            key: "contactType", value: type
          }]
        }}
      }]}
    }]
  };

  // Returns a dialog with contact information that the user input.
  if (event.isDialogEvent) {
    return { action_response: {
      type: "DIALOG",
      dialogAction: { dialog: { body: { sections: [ cardConfirmation ]}}}
    }};
  }

  // Updates existing card message with contact information that the user input.
  return {
    actionResponse: { type: "UPDATE_MESSAGE" },
    privateMessageViewer: event.user,
    cardsV2: [{
      card: { sections: [cardConfirmation]}
    }]
  }
}

Python

python/contact-form-app/main.py
def on_card_click(event: dict) -> dict:
  """Responds to CARD_CLICKED interaction events in Google Chat."""
  # Initial dialog form page
  if "openInitialDialog" == event.get('common').get('invokedFunction'):
    return open_initial_dialog()
  # Confirmation dialog form page
  elif "openConfirmation" == event.get('common').get('invokedFunction'):
    return open_confirmation(event)
  # Submission dialog form page
  elif "submitForm" == event.get('common').get('invokedFunction'):
    return submit_form(event)


def open_initial_dialog() -> dict:
  """Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details."""
  return { 'actionResponse': {
    'type': "DIALOG",
    'dialogAction': { 'dialog': { 'body': { 'sections': [{
      'header': "Add new contact",
      'widgets': CONTACT_FORM_WIDGETS + [{
        'buttonList': { 'buttons': [{
          'text': "Review and submit",
          'onClick': { 'action': { 'function': "openConfirmation" }}
        }]}
      }]
    }]}}}
  }}


def open_confirmation(event: dict) -> dict:
  """Returns the second step as a dialog or card message that lets users confirm details."""
  name = fetch_form_value(event, "contactName") or ""
  birthdate = fetch_form_value(event, "contactBirthdate") or ""
  type = fetch_form_value(event, "contactType") or ""
  card_confirmation = {
    'header': "Your contact",
    'widgets': [{
      'textParagraph': { 'text': "Confirm contact information and submit:" }}, {
      'textParagraph': { 'text': "<b>Name:</b> " + name }}, {
      'textParagraph': {
        'text': "<b>Birthday:</b> " + convert_millis_to_date_string(birthdate)
      }}, {
      'textParagraph': { 'text': "<b>Type:</b> " + type }}, {
      'buttonList': { 'buttons': [{
        'text': "Submit",
        'onClick': { 'action': {
          'function': "submitForm",
          'parameters': [{
            'key': "contactName", 'value': name }, {
            'key': "contactBirthdate", 'value': birthdate }, {
            'key': "contactType", 'value': type
          }]
        }}
      }]}
    }]
  }

  # Returns a dialog with contact information that the user input.
  if event.get('isDialogEvent'): 
    return { 'action_response': {
      'type': "DIALOG",
      'dialogAction': { 'dialog': { 'body': { 'sections': [card_confirmation] }}}
    }}

  # Updates existing card message with contact information that the user input.
  return {
    'actionResponse': { 'type': "UPDATE_MESSAGE" },
    'privateMessageViewer': event.get('user'),
    'cardsV2': [{
      'card': { 'sections': [card_confirmation] }
    }]
  }

Java

java/contact-form-app/src/main/java/com/google/chat/contact/App.java
// Responds to CARD_CLICKED interaction events in Google Chat.
Message onCardClick(JsonNode event) {
  String invokedFunction = event.at("/common/invokedFunction").asText();
  // Initial dialog form page
  if ("openInitialDialog".equals(invokedFunction)) {
    return openInitialDialog();
  // Confirmation dialog form page
  } else if ("openConfirmation".equals(invokedFunction)) {
    return openConfirmation(event);
  // Submission dialog form page
  } else if ("submitForm".equals(invokedFunction)) {
    return submitForm(event);
  }
  return null; 
}

// Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
Message openInitialDialog() {
  return new Message().setActionResponse(new ActionResponse()
    .setType("DIALOG")
    .setDialogAction(new DialogAction().setDialog(new Dialog().setBody(new GoogleAppsCardV1Card()
      .setSections(List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Section()
        .setHeader("Add new contact")
        .setWidgets(Stream.concat(
          CONTACT_FORM_WIDGETS.stream(),
          List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget()
            .setButtonList(new GoogleAppsCardV1ButtonList().setButtons(List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Button()
            .setText("Review and submit")
            .setOnClick(new GoogleAppsCardV1OnClick().setAction(new GoogleAppsCardV1Action()
              .setFunction("openConfirmation"))))))).stream()).collect(Collectors.toList()))))))));
}

// Returns the second step as a dialog or card message that lets users confirm details.
Message openConfirmation(JsonNode event) {
  String name = fetchFormValue(event, "contactName") != null ?
    fetchFormValue(event, "contactName") : "";
  String birthdate = fetchFormValue(event, "contactBirthdate") != null ?
    fetchFormValue(event, "contactBirthdate") : "";
  String type = fetchFormValue(event, "contactType") != null ?
    fetchFormValue(event, "contactType") : "";
  GoogleAppsCardV1Section cardConfirmationSection = new GoogleAppsCardV1Section()
    .setHeader("Your contact")
    .setWidgets(List.of(
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setTextParagraph(new GoogleAppsCardV1TextParagraph()
        .setText("Confirm contact information and submit:")),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setTextParagraph(new GoogleAppsCardV1TextParagraph()
        .setText("<b>Name:</b> " + name)),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setTextParagraph(new GoogleAppsCardV1TextParagraph()
        .setText("<b>Birthday:</b> " + convertMillisToDateString(birthdate))),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setTextParagraph(new GoogleAppsCardV1TextParagraph()
        .setText("<b>Type:</b> " + type)),
      new GoogleAppsCardV1Widget().setButtonList(new GoogleAppsCardV1ButtonList().setButtons(List.of(new GoogleAppsCardV1Button()
        .setText("Submit")
        .setOnClick(new GoogleAppsCardV1OnClick().setAction(new GoogleAppsCardV1Action()
          .setFunction("submitForm")
          .setParameters(List.of(
            new GoogleAppsCardV1ActionParameter().setKey("contactName").setValue(name),
            new GoogleAppsCardV1ActionParameter().setKey("contactBirthdate").setValue(birthdate),
            new GoogleAppsCardV1ActionParameter().setKey("contactType").setValue(type))))))))));

  // Returns a dialog with contact information that the user input.
  if (event.at("/isDialogEvent") != null && event.at("/isDialogEvent").asBoolean()) {
    return new Message().setActionResponse(new ActionResponse()
      .setType("DIALOG")
      .setDialogAction(new DialogAction().setDialog(new Dialog().setBody(new GoogleAppsCardV1Card()
        .setSections(List.of(cardConfirmationSection))))));
  }

  // Updates existing card message with contact information that the user input.
  return new Message()
    .setActionResponse(new ActionResponse()
      .setType("UPDATE_MESSAGE"))
    .setPrivateMessageViewer(new User().setName(event.at("/user/name").asText()))
    .setCardsV2(List.of(new CardWithId().setCard(new GoogleAppsCardV1Card()
      .setSections(List.of(cardConfirmationSection)))));
}

Apps Script

This example sends a card message by returning card JSON. You can also use the Apps Script card service.

apps-script/contact-form-app/main.gs
/**
 * Responds to CARD_CLICKED interaction events in Google Chat.
 *
 * @param {Object} event the CARD_CLICKED interaction event from Google Chat.
 * @return {Object} message responses specific to the dialog handling.
 */
function onCardClick(event) {
  // Initial dialog form page
  if (event.common.invokedFunction === "openInitialDialog") {
    return openInitialDialog();
  // Confirmation dialog form page
  } else if (event.common.invokedFunction === "openConfirmation") {
    return openConfirmation(event);
  // Submission dialog form page
  } else if (event.common.invokedFunction === "submitForm") {
    return submitForm(event);
  }
}

/**
 * Opens the initial step of the dialog that lets users add contact details.
 *
 * @return {Object} a message with an action response to open a dialog.
 */
function openInitialDialog() {
  return { actionResponse: {
    type: "DIALOG",
    dialogAction: { dialog: { body: { sections: [{
      header: "Add new contact",
      widgets: CONTACT_FORM_WIDGETS.concat([{
        buttonList: { buttons: [{
          text: "Review and submit",
          onClick: { action: { function: "openConfirmation" }}
        }]}
      }])
    }]}}}
  }};
}

/**
 * Returns the second step as a dialog or card message that lets users confirm details.
 *
 * @param {Object} event the interactive event with form inputs.
 * @return {Object} returns a dialog or private card message.
 */
function openConfirmation(event) {
  const name = fetchFormValue(event, "contactName") ?? "";
  const birthdate = fetchFormValue(event, "contactBirthdate") ?? "";
  const type = fetchFormValue(event, "contactType") ?? "";
  const cardConfirmation = {
    header: "Your contact",
    widgets: [{
      textParagraph: { text: "Confirm contact information and submit:" }}, {
      textParagraph: { text: "<b>Name:</b> " + name }}, {
      textParagraph: {
        text: "<b>Birthday:</b> " + convertMillisToDateString(birthdate)
      }}, {
      textParagraph: { text: "<b>Type:</b> " + type }}, {
      buttonList: { buttons: [{
        text: "Submit",
        onClick: { action: {
          function: "submitForm",
          parameters: [{
            key: "contactName", value: name }, {
            key: "contactBirthdate", value: birthdate }, {
            key: "contactType", value: type
          }]
        }}
      }]}
    }]
  };

  // Returns a dialog with contact information that the user input.
  if (event.isDialogEvent) {
    return { action_response: {
      type: "DIALOG",
      dialogAction: { dialog: { body: { sections: [ cardConfirmation ]}}}
    }};
  }

  // Updates existing card message with contact information that the user input.
  return {
    actionResponse: { type: "UPDATE_MESSAGE" },
    privateMessageViewer: event.user,
    cardsV2: [{
      card: { sections: [cardConfirmation]}
    }]
  }
}

Close the dialog

When users click a button on a dialog, a Chat app that isn't an add-on executes its associated action and provides the event object with the following information:

The Chat app that isn't an add-on should return an ActionResponse object with its type set to DIALOG, and dialogAction populated. If the action did not fail, then the dialogAction.actionStatus should be OK as in the following example:

Node.js

node/contact-form-app/index.js
// The Chat app indicates that it received form data from the dialog or card.
// Sends private text message that confirms submission.
const confirmationMessage = "✅ " + contactName + " has been added to your contacts.";
if (event.dialogEventType === "SUBMIT_DIALOG") {
  return {
    actionResponse: {
      type: "DIALOG",
      dialogAction: { actionStatus: {
        statusCode: "OK",
        userFacingMessage: "Success " + contactName
      }}
    }
  };
}

Python

python/contact-form-app/main.py
# The Chat app indicates that it received form data from the dialog or card.
# Sends private text message that confirms submission.
confirmation_message = "✅ " + contact_name + " has been added to your contacts.";
if "SUBMIT_DIALOG" == event.get('dialogEventType'):
  return {
    'actionResponse': {
      'type': "DIALOG",
      'dialogAction': { 'actionStatus': {
        'statusCode': "OK",
        'userFacingMessage': "Success " + contact_name
      }}
    }
  }

Java

java/contact-form-app/src/main/java/com/google/chat/contact/App.java
// The Chat app indicates that it received form data from the dialog or card.
// Sends private text message that confirms submission.
String confirmationMessage = "✅ " + contactName + " has been added to your contacts.";
if (event.at("/dialogEventType") != null && "SUBMIT_DIALOG".equals(event.at("/dialogEventType").asText())) {
  return new Message().setActionResponse(new ActionResponse()
    .setType("DIALOG")
    .setDialogAction(new DialogAction().setActionStatus(new ActionStatus()
      .setStatusCode("OK")
      .setUserFacingMessage("Success " + contactName))));
}

Apps Script

This example sends a card message by returning card JSON. You can also use the Apps Script card service.

apps-script/contact-form-app/main.gs
// The Chat app indicates that it received form data from the dialog or card.
// Sends private text message that confirms submission.
const confirmationMessage = "✅ " + contactName + " has been added to your contacts.";
if (event.dialogEventType === "SUBMIT_DIALOG") {
  return {
    actionResponse: {
      type: "DIALOG",
      dialogAction: { actionStatus: {
        statusCode: "OK",
        userFacingMessage: "Success " + contactName
      }}
    }
  };
}
Optional: Display a temporary notification

A Chat app that isn't an add-on can respond with a success or error notification by returning an ActionResponse with actionStatus set.

The following example checks that parameters are valid and closes the dialog with a text notification when invalid:

Node.js

node/contact-form-app/index.js
const contactName = event.common.parameters["contactName"];
// Checks to make sure the user entered a contact name.
// If no name value detected, returns an error message.
const errorMessage = "Don't forget to name your new contact!";
if (!contactName && event.dialogEventType === "SUBMIT_DIALOG") {
  return { actionResponse: {
    type: "DIALOG",
    dialogAction: { actionStatus: {
      statusCode: "INVALID_ARGUMENT",
      userFacingMessage: errorMessage
    }}
  }};
}

Python

python/contact-form-app/main.py
contact_name = event.get('common').get('parameters')["contactName"]
# Checks to make sure the user entered a contact name.
# If no name value detected, returns an error message.
error_message = "Don't forget to name your new contact!"
if contact_name == "" and "SUBMIT_DIALOG" == event.get('dialogEventType'):
  return { 'actionResponse': {
    'type': "DIALOG",
    'dialogAction': { 'actionStatus': {
      'statusCode': "INVALID_ARGUMENT",
      'userFacingMessage': error_message
    }}
  }}

Java

java/contact-form-app/src/main/java/com/google/chat/contact/App.java
String contactName = event.at("/common/parameters/contactName").asText();
// Checks to make sure the user entered a contact name.
// If no name value detected, returns an error message.
String errorMessage = "Don't forget to name your new contact!";
if (contactName.isEmpty() && event.at("/dialogEventType") != null && "SUBMIT_DIALOG".equals(event.at("/dialogEventType").asText())) {
  return new Message().setActionResponse(new ActionResponse()
    .setType("DIALOG")
    .setDialogAction(new DialogAction().setActionStatus(new ActionStatus()
      .setStatusCode("INVALID_ARGUMENT")
      .setUserFacingMessage(errorMessage))));
}

Apps Script

This example sends a card message by returning card JSON. You can also use the Apps Script card service.

apps-script/contact-form-app/main.gs
const contactName = event.common.parameters["contactName"];
// Checks to make sure the user entered a contact name.
// If no name value detected, returns an error message.
const errorMessage = "Don't forget to name your new contact!";
if (!contactName && event.dialogEventType === "SUBMIT_DIALOG") {
  return { actionResponse: {
    type: "DIALOG",
    dialogAction: { actionStatus: {
      statusCode: "INVALID_ARGUMENT",
      userFacingMessage: errorMessage
    }}
  }};
}
Optional: Send a confirmation Chat message

To send a new message when closing a dialog in a Chat app that isn't an add-on, return an ActionResponse object with type: "NEW_MESSAGE". The following example closes the dialog with a confirmation text message:

Node.js

node/contact-form-app/index.js
return {
  actionResponse: { type: "NEW_MESSAGE" },
  privateMessageViewer: event.user,
  text: confirmationMessage
};

Python

python/contact-form-app/main.py
return {
  'actionResponse': { 'type': "NEW_MESSAGE" },
  'privateMessageViewer': event.get('user'),
  'text': confirmation_message
}

Java

java/contact-form-app/src/main/java/com/google/chat/contact/App.java
return new Message()
  .setActionResponse(new ActionResponse().setType("NEW_MESSAGE"))
  .setPrivateMessageViewer(new User().setName(event.at("/user/name").asText()))
  .setText(confirmationMessage);

Apps Script

This example sends a card message by returning card JSON. You can also use the Apps Script card service.

apps-script/contact-form-app/main.gs
return {
  actionResponse: { type: "NEW_MESSAGE" },
  privateMessageViewer: event.user,
  text: confirmationMessage
};

To update a message, return an actionResponse object that contains the updated message and sets the type to one of the following: