Skill inputs

When you start to use skills, you must provide inputs. Many skills require users to complete a form that consists of fields. The inputs that you provide vary based on the skill you currently use and the apps in which you use the skills. Some skills do not require any inputs for using them.

Skill input types

You can provide various types of inputs based on the app and configuration of skills. The input fields for skills can be mandatory or optional, with an option to apply filters for some of the skills. The skill inputs can be one or more of the following types:

  • Simple text phrases - You can type in the text phrases. As you type, the phrases are suggested in the chat bar.
  • Tables – You can specify the inputs in the form of a table.
  • File - You can also upload files as skill input.
  • Multi-turn conversations - In multi-turn conversations, instead of filling out all input fields at a time, you are prompted for inputs sequentially. This approach enhances the user experience by making the interaction more conversational and intuitive.

Filling tables in skill inputs automatically

For skills that require tabular input, you can automatically fill that table by uploading a .xls or .csv file.

To fill tables in the skill inputs automatically, complete the following steps:

  1. Create a .xls or .csv table with the same headers of the skill input table.
  2. Fill the table with the data that you want to set in the table of the skill input.
    • If you are using a .csv file, configure the table data as a string.
    • If you are using a .xls file, configure the table data as TEXT or GENERAL. Don't use complex .xls features like formulas and conditional formatting.
  3. Save the .xls or .csv file.
  4. In the skill input table, click the Upload file icon.
  5. Click Drag and drop files here or click to upload.
  6. Select the .xls or .csv file that you created.

The table in the skill input is automatically filled with the data from the .xls or .csv file.

Technical specification for skill inputs

The required input parameters for skills and users' interaction with these skills within different environments vary. Skills within certain apps require specific technical parameters for skill inputs to function correctly. For more information on technical parameters for skill inputs, see the Technical parameters of the related-app.

Interaction modes for skill inputs

You can use skills through several platforms with different modes of interaction.

  • watsonx Orchestrate chat allows you to use skills through forms where all input fields are provided upfront.
  • Preview chat in the AI assistant builder and the Live chat (a chat bot that is created that uses the AI assistant builder and is embedded in an external webpage) allows you to choose between form-based inputs or multi-turn conversations.

Applying filters in skill inputs

When you use skills, you can apply filters for some of the skill inputs. You also have options to select appropriate values that use checkbox or pre-filled options from the drop-down menus that are available based on previous tasks. Complex fields such as IDs and keys are prepopulated by the application, allowing you to focus on selecting appropriate values from drop-down list.

Some skills don't require input parameters, but you can apply filters to get specific responses.

Applying filters
Figure 1. Filter field in a skill.

To apply filters for skill input, complete the following steps:

  1. Initiate the required skill.
  2. Navigate to the skill input section and specify the inputs.
  3. Select the desired filters from the available filter options.
  4. Run the skill to receive the filtered results.

Parent topic:

→ Using the chat