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Channel-Specific Rendering for Choices Components
Choices components render differently depending on the messaging channel. Each channel supports unique interactive message types and limits.
Required Editions
| View supported editions. |
| User Permissions Needed | |
|---|---|
| To build and manage Einstein Bots: | Customize Application OR Modify Metadata OR Manage Bots |
| To add, edit, or delete channels | Customize Application |
Channel-Specific Rendering Behavior
The table shows how choices components render across different messaging channels.
| Choices Component | Facebook Messenger | In-App and Web Messaging | SMS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons | List Selector | Quick Replies | Buttons | Text |
| Menu with 3 or fewer options | Inline buttons | Menu | Menu | Text |
| Menu with more than 3 options | List Selector | Menu | Menu | Text |
In Bot Builder, configure the choices component by selecting either Buttons or Menu from the Display Choices As setting. The rendering in WhatsApp depends on the selected option and the number of choices configured.
Buttons component
Menu component with 3 or fewer options
Menu component with more than 3 options
Bot Builder component names don't always reflect how the component renders in every messaging channel. Rendering behavior depends on channel capabilities and supported message layouts.
WhatsApp Considerations
WhatsApp rendering behavior depends on supported interactive message types and platform limits.
- WhatsApp doesn't support Quick Replies.
- Inline buttons support up to 3 options.
- List Selectors support up to 10 rows.
- Buttons components renders as a List Selector.
- Menu components with 3 or fewer options renders as inline buttons.
- Menu components with more than 3 options renders as a List Selector.
When you configure a Menu component with 3 options, WhatsApp renders them as vertical inline buttons.
When you configure a Menu component with 2 short options, WhatsApp renders them as horizontal inline buttons.
When you configure a Buttons component or a Menu component with more than 3 options, WhatsApp renders the component as a List Selector. The List Selector initially appears in a collapsed state.
You can tap the List Selector to view all available options. The expanded List Selector displays all configured choices.
When you select an option, the selection appears in the conversation.
Best Practices
- Test choices components in each supported messaging channel before deploying your bot.
- Use 3 or fewer options when designing WhatsApp inline button experiences.
- Use Menu components for larger option lists.
- Review channel-specific rendering behavior during conversation design.
