When collecting user input in your chatbot, the designer can use two main strategies:

1. Plain text: the user types text to respond to question
2. Forms: the chatbot uses an input widget such as select boxes, date pickers

In this guide, we cover adaptive cards and forms. Specifically, the following is covered:

• Why you should use forms
• Creating forms in UI Builder
• Different control types forms can leverage
• Form validation rules and verifying user input
• Accessibility and best practice
• Example for in UI Builder

Why Use Forms

Although natural language engines are powerful, plain text can provide challenges in collecting certain input types.

For example, when a chatbot needs to collect dates or get accurate information from the user, a form can be created to restrict the input types a user can supply and ensure only the expected values are provided.