From 06d68354027bbf96ab57986b9d9daabea505524c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: tanuprasad530 Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2025 23:28:21 +0530 Subject: [PATCH 1/5] Update 02. Send the contact a message.md Re-wrote this piece of documentation, including additional deatils like last update date. --- .../02. Send the contact a message.md | 295 ++++++------------ 1 file changed, 98 insertions(+), 197 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md b/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md index 2324799f7..149e3d2f4 100644 --- a/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md +++ b/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md @@ -1,260 +1,161 @@ -### **3 minutes read                                                                                                                         `Beginner`** + + + + + + +
4 minutes readLevel: BeginnerLast Updated: October 2025
-___ +

Send the contact a message

+As the name suggests, Send Message node allows the user to send a simple message to the end user. +This node is particularly useful in the following scenarios: -## Send the contact a message +1. Sending a plain text message that does not include any interactive elements such as buttons or lists. -It sends the message to the contact in the flow. You can also add variables in the content of the message to publish the value in the message. -Text messages can contain up to **4096** characters. Refer [Supported Contect Types](https://docs.gupshup.io/reference/msg#supported-content-types) to know more about it. -
-Refer [Flow level & Contact level variables](https://glific.github.io/docs/docs/Product%20Features/Flows/Flow%20Variables/Flow%20variables%20vs%20Contact%20variables) to know more about how to use variables in flow. +2. Sending media files as attachments to the end user. -image -## Format the text in messages. +3. Sending HSM templates to reinitiate engagement and bring the end user back into an active session window. -Basic WhatsApp text formatting option are available in flow editor. Refer [this article](https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/chats/how-to-format-your-messages/?lang=en) for more details +This document provides detailed guidance on: + -## Text Formatting +## Steps to use the Send Messsage node +Step 1: Log in to Glific. -1 . Place two asterisks before and after the text to make the text bold. Example: ** text ** **Bold** +Step 2: From the left panel, navigate to Flows and click on the Flows tab. +
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-2 . Place one underscore before and after the text to make the text italic. Example: _ text _ **_Italic_** +Step 3: Click on the `+Create` button at the top right to start creating a new flow from scratch. -3 . Place one (~) tilde before and after the text to apply a strikethrough effect to text. Example: ~ text ~ **~Strikethrough~** +
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+Step 4: Enter the required details to set up the new flow and click Configure to proceed. -4 . Place one (``) backtick before and after the text to apply for monospace. Example: ` text ` +Step 5: Create a `Send Message` node. -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/220825997-0e940f0f-2ca9-43b7-949a-0a53ee7f6fa5.png) +Step 6: The following node opens up: +
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-## Add Emojis +a. Home Tab: This tab allows the user to add the message content for a simple message. The content can include plain text, plain text with emojis, special characters, or external URL links (e.g., YouTube or website links). -Generally, all browser provide Emojis extension. Once you have added the extension, you can add emojis with right click in the text editor of message. +Basic text formatting can be applied as follows: -Below example is from chrome. +
    +
  1. Bold: Place two asterisks before and after the text. Example: **text** → text
    2. +
  2. Italic: Place one underscore before and after the text. Example: _text_ → text
    3. +
  3. Strikethrough: Place one tilde (~) before and after the text. Example: ~text~ → text
    4. +
  4. Monospace: Place backticks (`) before and after the text. Example: `text` → text
    5. +
-![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/220826004-44f8faf5-267c-4e2b-bea0-08bf9c21718e.png) +For emojis, you can use browser extensions or type the text with emojis directly in WhatsApp and copy-paste it into the `Send Message` node. -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/220826011-054d2829-c06a-4ff7-8cdd-78647fe01b35.png) -___ -## Send media files in a Message +Stored values in result or contact variables can also be referenced within the `Send Message` node. Read more about variables here. -Glific users can **upload the media files directly from their computer** for that you will need to setup GCS and make it active in Glific. -
-or -**[Upload the files on GCS](https://glific.github.io/docs/docs/Onboarding/GCS%20Setup/Upload%20files%20on%20GCS)** and use the URL as attachment in multiple flow. +b. Attachments Tab: This tab allows the user to attach media files to be sent to the end user. -## Activate GCS in Glific +
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-image +Important Notes: + -## Upload the media files directly from your computer. +c. HSM Templates: This tab allows the user to send an HSM template message to the end user. More information on HSM templates and their usage can be found here. -1 . Open a flow from where you want to send the file as an attachment. +
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-2 . Create a `Send message` Note. +d. Character Count: The counter at the bottom left displays the total number of characters in the message. Note that text messages can contain up to 4096 characters. For further details on character limits, please refer to this link. -3 . Click on `attachment` tab. +Step 7: After filling in the message contents, click `OK`. +Step 8: Publish the flow and test its functionality by clicking Preview on the simulator. -Screenshot 2024-03-05 at 1 38 48 PM +
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+## Working with Media Files (Sending & Receiving) -4 . Choose **upload attachment** option from dropdown +For any business, there are two operations that are primarily possible, that involve media files: +1) The chatbot sends the media to the end user. +2) The end user sends the media to the chatbot. -Screenshot 2024-03-05 at 2 05 02 PM +For both operations to happen, the GCS (Google Cloud Storage) needs to be set up and made active. Refer to this section to understand how this can be done. +### Chatbot sending the media to the end user. +There are two ways in which this can be achieved. -5 . Computer folders window will open up. Choose the file you want to upload. +1. Upload the media files directly from the computer. -**_Note :_** _WhatsApp business API_ **_doesn't support .gif files_** _to be send as messages. Use .jpeg or .png to send as an attachment. For more details please refer_ [https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/reference/media/](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/reference/media/) +Step 1: Open the flow from which you want to send a file as an attachment. -6 . After successful upload, option to **download** and **remove** the attachment will be shown. +Step 2: Create a Send Message node. + +Step 3: Click on the Attachments tab. -7 . Click on `ok` button to save the attachment in the node. +
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-![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255061-1cea068d-c206-44b7-ba2a-217e1e61d687.png) +Step 4: Select the ‘Upload Attachment’ option from the dropdown menu. -## +
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-8 . Test the flow to verify the attachment sent with the message. +Step 5: A file explorer window will open. Select the file you want to upload. -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255067-5df94168-f97a-456b-a73d-8a8231e74821.png) +Step 6: Once the upload is successful, options to download or remove the attachment will be available. -**Note :-** To give a name to the attachment, Enter the name in the send message box. Other wise the attachment will be names ad NULL. +
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-___ -## Upload media file in GCS +Step 7: Click `OK` to save the attachment in the node. -1. Upload the file you want to send to the contact. Refer to the [integration with the GCS](https://glific.github.io/docs/docs/Onboarding/GCS%20Setup/Upload%20files%20on%20GCS/#upload-media-files-in-the-gcs-bucket) article for detailed steps. +Step 8: Test the flow to confirm that the attachment is successfully sent to the end user. -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255076-94608d82-8ee0-4baf-9324-de902bbd1e33.png) +2. Upload files on the GCS and use the public URL generated in the Glific. -2. Copy the public URL of the image uploaded. +As shown in the dropdown options under the Attachments tab, you can also add public URLs of media files (images, audio, video, stickers, PDFs) to send them. For details on file size and dimension restrictions, refer to this section. -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255079-a502b011-d960-4236-8645-d619b8da1806.png) -___ -## Send media file with dynamic file names +Please note - Google Drive links of media files cannot be used as public URLs. -**Note** - _It will require a developers assistance to use this feature. Please check with your tech team or consult Glific team, if you wish to use this feature._ +To generate a public URL, first upload the media file to GCS. Once uploaded, copy the generated public URL and use it in this field. -**Use case** :- `Expression` option is used in attachment, when there is a requirement to send media files with dynamic names. +Steps to configure: -For an example: The requirement is to send the map on the basis of the city contact belongs to. +Step 1: Navigate to your GCS bucket using the steps mentioned here. -1 . Upload map files of all cities in the GCS. +Step 2: Upload the media files, following the steps mentioned here. -2 . Use the expression to pass the contact's city name in the attachment . +Step 3: In the flow editor, go to the ‘Attachments’ tab and select the applicable URL dropdown, depending on the media type uploaded on GCS. For example, if the media file is an image, select the ‘Image URL’ option from the dropdown. -Syntax- `<%= "@results.city_name" %>.` +Step 4: Paste the URL copied in Step 2. -3 . In a flow, city map will be send as per the contact's city +
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-Use `Expression` option from the dropdown, if media files name are needed to send with dynamic name. +Step 5: Click on `Ok` -Screenshot 2024-03-05 at 2 08 43 PM +Step 6: Test the flow to confirm that the attachment is successfully sent to the end user. -The value of expression will be a variable and the syntax used in is `<%= "@results.fieldname" %>` +#### Sending Media files using Expressions -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255093-f78abcd6-7502-4ab7-9db4-deca30c1a4dc.png) -___ -## Attach the media file in a message +Common Use Case: This approach is useful when multiple media files need to be sent and Google Sheets is used to streamline the process. All media files are first uploaded to GCS, and their public URLs are added to a column in a Google Sheet. Each link is then fetched from the appropriate row and sent to the end user using the Expressions option. -1. While editing a flow, select `Send a message` node. +- Refer to this documentation to learn how Google Sheets can be linked and configured within flows. + +- The syntax for expressions is: `@results.sheet.image`, where "image" is the column header in the sheet containing the public URL links to be sent to the end user. -2. Click on the `Attachments` tab. +
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- -Screenshot 2024-03-05 at 1 38 48 PM - -3. Select the relevant media file option from the dropdown and paste the URL copied from GCS. - -**Note:** _google drive URLs will_ **_not_** _work in this attachment_ - - -Screenshot 2024-03-05 at 2 15 23 PM - - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255111-7fc55f48-74a4-4f49-b126-97bd4e694179.png) - -4 . Click `ok` to save. -___ -## Test the media message in the simulator - -1. Run the simulator with the `preview` button(bottom right) on the flow editor screen. Select the required response and you will see the media file in the simulator. - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255115-c412b26f-f9ad-46c8-a40b-2b3192e86674.png) - -**Note:-** Need to **add some text in the send message node**, otherwise the attachment will not be sent through flows - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/16541548/210726298-2a705406-f00a-42fd-9826-56b8e5cac4ab.png) -___ -## Size of image - -Please use images of less than **5 MB**. It is the maximum size limit currently. - -Maximum size limit - -1. image file=> **5.120 MB** -1. Video file => **16.384 MB** -1. Audio file => **16.384 MB** -1. Document file => **102.400 MB** -1. Sticker file => **0.09 MB** - -Please Note : Whatsapp doesn't support send message node with audio file. Instead of using a single send message node, you can use two separate nodes for text and audio. -___ -## File Formats works - -Please check the list of file formats that work in the below document. [https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/on-premises/reference/media](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/on-premises/reference/media) - -**Note: Stickers** - .webp ( **_Note:- Animated stickers are not allowed by WhatsApp_**). - -WhatsApp supports stickers with a **dimension of 512\*512 px** only. It needs to be exactly the same. - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255148-973143ab-a092-47d9-984a-662da9e418b6.png) - -___ -## Store media files using GCS Integration - -Go to your Google Cloud storage GCS account ([https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/credentials/serviceaccountkey](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/credentials/serviceaccountkey)) to generate project API keys. - -If you don't have an account in GCS please refer to [Create an account in Google Cloud Storage (GCS)](https://cloud.google.com/storage/docs/quickstart-console) to set up a new account in Google Cloud storage GCS?. - -Below screens may get change by Google. Refer below article from google for more details. [https://cloud.google.com/iam/docs/creating-managing-service-account-keys](https://cloud.google.com/iam/docs/creating-managing-service-account-keys) - -1 . At top Bar enter Service account. Select `Service account` from the drop down. - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255188-c6dc7c0a-843f-4e8e-b9fd-443744bebf26.png) - -2 . Click on `+Create Service account` link from top bar. - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255191-f3b0c425-878b-4874-9447-776b61e23f76.png) - -3 . Enter the details. - - a) Serive account name - - b)Service account id auto filled. - - c) Description. - -4 . Click on `Done`. - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255192-70bec877-205c-4c32-a895-3dfdd35d85af.png) - - - -5 . Click on `Add Key` button. - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255199-d4d1c0dd-5fb8-4617-a825-bd8dde5d167a.png) - - - -6 . Select `json` and click on `create` button. - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255204-8598019b-23bf-4ebe-b895-94cfa2a45a9a.png) - -___ -## Save the JSON in Glific to integrate - -1. Save the JSON file downloaded and copy its content. -2. Login to your Glific account. Go to the `setting` option in Glific and click on **Google Cloud Storage**. - - Screenshot 2024-03-05 at 2 19 54 PM - - - -3. Click on the `is_active` check. - -Screenshot 2024-03-05 at 2 21 28 PM - - - - - -4. Fill in the details from the downloaded JSON file. - - 1. Paste the copied JSON content inside Goth Credentials input. - 1. Project Email as `client_email` in the JSON file. - 1. **_"client_email": "xxx@xxx.iam.gserviceaccount.com",_** - 1. Bucket as the **bucket name** of the newly created bucket in the GCS dashboard - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255222-24334f6f-d437-4705-97c6-707e25528446.png) - - - -5. Click on `Save` button - -6. Once Credentials are set up, all media files will be synced in a bucket inside the uploads directory. - -7. Now all the media files you will receive from the beneficiary contact (Via WhatsApp), will save in the Google cloud bucket in **uploads** folder. - - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255243-9e5d9e3e-648e-43ac-8952-8b98d59339ce.png) - -![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32592458/218255247-f5887a21-328b-4217-ac62-2d37a61f8d5f.png) +Please find the other applications of this option here. From 21202e2dbe18234e5b1710089394c160d0ff78e8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: tanuprasad530 Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2025 23:36:57 +0530 Subject: [PATCH 2/5] Update 02. Send the contact a message.md --- .../2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md | 10 +++++----- 1 file changed, 5 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md b/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md index 149e3d2f4..b307be214 100644 --- a/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md +++ b/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md @@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ Basic text formatting can be applied as follows: For emojis, you can use browser extensions or type the text with emojis directly in WhatsApp and copy-paste it into the `Send Message` node. -Stored values in result or contact variables can also be referenced within the `Send Message` node. Read more about variables here. +Stored values in result or contact variables can also be referenced within the `Send Message` node. Read more about variables here b. Attachments Tab: This tab allows the user to attach media files to be sent to the end user. @@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ Important Notes: -c. HSM Templates: This tab allows the user to send an HSM template message to the end user. More information on HSM templates and their usage can be found here. +c. HSM Templates: This tab allows the user to send an HSM template message to the end user. More information on HSM templates and their usage can be found here
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@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ Steps to configure: Step 1: Navigate to your GCS bucket using the steps mentioned here. -Step 2: Upload the media files, following the steps mentioned here. +Step 2: Upload the media files, following the steps mentioned here Step 3: In the flow editor, go to the ‘Attachments’ tab and select the applicable URL dropdown, depending on the media type uploaded on GCS. For example, if the media file is an image, select the ‘Image URL’ option from the dropdown. @@ -158,4 +158,4 @@ Common Use Case: This approach is useful when multiple media files need to be se
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-Please find the other applications of this option here. +Please find the other applications of this option here From 61e8ab269e3e6d44c96fe5ae8c20cfe6e9d816ec Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: tanuprasad530 Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2025 23:43:43 +0530 Subject: [PATCH 3/5] Update 02. Send the contact a message.md --- .../03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md b/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md index b307be214..72d3833e5 100644 --- a/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md +++ b/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md @@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ To generate a public URL, first upload the media file to GCS. Once uploaded, cop Steps to configure: -Step 1: Navigate to your GCS bucket using the steps mentioned here. +Step 1: Navigate to your GCS bucket using the steps mentioned here Step 2: Upload the media files, following the steps mentioned here From 45e16919dd0177b7ba3523d72f54b23da715c5b7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: tanuprasad530 Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2025 23:46:43 +0530 Subject: [PATCH 4/5] Update 02. Send the contact a message.md --- .../03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md b/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md index 72d3833e5..b139a4115 100644 --- a/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md +++ b/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md @@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ Step 2: Create a Send Message node. Step 3: Click on the Attachments tab. -
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+
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Step 4: Select the ‘Upload Attachment’ option from the dropdown menu. From 163604fd27ae48ce271daab5ad9d663cde167981 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: tanuprasad530 Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2025 23:55:15 +0530 Subject: [PATCH 5/5] Update 02. Send the contact a message.md --- .../02. Send the contact a message.md | 24 ++++++++++--------- 1 file changed, 13 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md b/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md index b139a4115..f8f0337c4 100644 --- a/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md +++ b/docs/4. Product Features/03. Flows/2. Flow Actions/02. Send the contact a message.md @@ -28,18 +28,20 @@ This document provides detailed guidance on: Step 1: Log in to Glific. Step 2: From the left panel, navigate to Flows and click on the Flows tab. -
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+ +Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 10 36 04 PM Step 3: Click on the `+Create` button at the top right to start creating a new flow from scratch. -
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+Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 10 37 13 PM + Step 4: Enter the required details to set up the new flow and click Configure to proceed. Step 5: Create a `Send Message` node. Step 6: The following node opens up: -
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+Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 10 38 27 PM a. Home Tab: This tab allows the user to add the message content for a simple message. The content can include plain text, plain text with emojis, special characters, or external URL links (e.g., YouTube or website links). @@ -58,7 +60,7 @@ Stored values in result or contact variables can also b. Attachments Tab: This tab allows the user to attach media files to be sent to the end user. -
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+Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 11 20 29 PM Important Notes: @@ -77,7 +79,7 @@ Important Notes: c. HSM Templates: This tab allows the user to send an HSM template message to the end user. More information on HSM templates and their usage can be found here -
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+Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 11 19 57 PM d. Character Count: The counter at the bottom left displays the total number of characters in the message. Note that text messages can contain up to 4096 characters. For further details on character limits, please refer to this link. @@ -85,7 +87,7 @@ Step 7: After filling in the message contents, click `OK`. Step 8: Publish the flow and test its functionality by clicking Preview on the simulator. -
Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 10 54 45 PM
+Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 10 54 45 PM ## Working with Media Files (Sending & Receiving) @@ -108,17 +110,17 @@ Step 2: Create a Send Message node. Step 3: Click on the Attachments tab. -
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+Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 10 59 52 PM Step 4: Select the ‘Upload Attachment’ option from the dropdown menu. -
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+Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 11 00 28 PM Step 5: A file explorer window will open. Select the file you want to upload. Step 6: Once the upload is successful, options to download or remove the attachment will be available. -
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+Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 11 01 06 PM Step 7: Click `OK` to save the attachment in the node. @@ -142,7 +144,7 @@ Step 3: In the flow editor, go to the ‘Attachments’ tab and select the appli Step 4: Paste the URL copied in Step 2. -
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+Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 11 05 39 PM Step 5: Click on `Ok` @@ -156,6 +158,6 @@ Common Use Case: This approach is useful when multiple media files need to be se - The syntax for expressions is: `@results.sheet.image`, where "image" is the column header in the sheet containing the public URL links to be sent to the end user. -
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+Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 11 08 58 PM Please find the other applications of this option here