Configure how the bot starts the conversation

Select the version of Power Virtual Agents you're using here:

By default, chatbots created with the Power Virtual Agents app in Microsoft Teams will automatically start the conversation when someone opens a chat with the bot.

You can change what the bot says by updating the greeting topic.

For example, you could have your bot say, "Hi, I'm Botty, a virtual agent" as soon as the bot loads.

You can also combine the customized greeting with customization to the look and feel of the bot.

Important

Having the bot start the conversation will show up in your analytics and will increase your session count.

If the user of your bot doesn't engage with the bot (for example, they load the page but don't ask the bot anything), the session will be marked as an unengaged session.

This might impact your analytics.

Prerequisites

Change the bot's default greeting

  1. Select Topics on the side navigation pane, then select the Greeting topic row.

    Screenshot of the Topics page, with the Greeting topic highlighted.

  2. Edit the text inside the Message nodes. You can also add or delete additional nodes.

  3. Select Save.

  4. Select Save when you're finished editing the message.

    Screenshot of the system greeting topic showing the message nodes that can be edited.

  5. Publish your bot and test it.