Attach file to Power Virtual Agents

[renatoromao]

Hi,

We need to attach files into the chatbot using the Power Virtual Agents.

Thanks! 🙂

[MicMac]

Great idea! We also need the ability to attach files / screenshots to chatbots as we are planning to use this to log tickets in a connected system.

[pawan-msft]

While we provide better in-app support for this, you can do the following,

1. Deploy a custom web-canvas (see documentation) that supports attaching images / files
2. Upload the image / file to your own Azure Blob storage
3. Send the URL as a message activity (response to a question node) so that it gets assigned to a variable
4. Use that URL in Flow / Skills to achieve your desired outcome

We've provided a github sample that attempts to mimic this capability.

-Pawan

[renatoromao]

Thanks @pawan-msft !

[s4b]

Hello: I have a skill linked to my PVA which is able to process an attachment.

I have hooked up this PVA to Facebook with which I try to send the attachments:

The PVA is blocking the attachment message transfer to the skill with a blocking(confirmed checking skill conversation state logging: message is never received) "Could you please tell me that using text ...". This is working fine when calling the skill directly.

In short: imho the PVA should not process/block messages intended for a skill(intended for complex tasks that PVA can't handle yet) else there is no point in extending with skills?

[US-PVA]

hi @pawan-msft 

The above workaround suggested doesn't work for all scenarios and it must be included as a built-in feature. 

It was raised almost over a year and i think its been voted enough times that PVA team should pick it up. Its not even in upcoming features or waves. How can such a basic feature missing from the PVA? 😞

[Jondoesflow]

This would be an excellent addition to Power Virtual Agents

[Ryzhovri]

This would be an excellent addition to Power Virtual Agents

[FranciscoH]

What I understand is that PVA may not have currently full feature to include text messaging file attachments, correct?  instead PVA maybe blocking the message attempted to be transmitted to the bot.

[FranciscoH]

How about voice file? can the bot read voice file uploads transmitted, then converted for Cortana assistant?

[fernandosilva]

This is a basic feature and should be default and not extra. 

Come on Microsoft Team. The subscription is already expensive enough to have a half baked product.