What are canned responses in HelpDesk

Weronika Masternak
3 min read
updated: Nov 18, 2022

If you respond to customer messages daily, you’ve probably noticed that many of them are similar or even the same. You can create predefined answers and paste them into messages using shortcuts to speed things up.

Using canned responses in HelpDeskLink icon

To use a predefined message in a ticket in your Helpdesk account, type a hash mark (#) and enter the shortcut name, or simply select it from the list.

Inserting a canned response in HelpDesk.

Learn how to use canned responses from this short how-to video:

Managing canned responsesLink icon

To change canned responses, go to the “Settings” section and select the “Canned responses” category.

You can find a list of saved canned responses with their author and the date they were added. You can also edit, add new, or delete canned responses that are no longer in use.

Managing canned responses in HelpDesk.

Adding canned responsesLink icon

Go to the “Settings” section in your HelpDesk user panel and select the “Canned responses” category to add a canned response.

Next, enter the canned response text and the shortcut of your choice.

Once you’ve completed these two fields, click the “Add this response” button to save it, and that’s it — the canned response is ready to use in your messages.

You can use more than one shortcut for one canned response.
You can use more than one shortcut for one canned response.
Only admins can add canned responses for all created teams, as well as for the settings of the “All teams” section. Agents can change canned responses within their teams.
Only admins can add canned responses for all created teams, as well as for the settings of the “All teams” section. Agents can change canned responses within their teams.

Adding canned responses in HelpDesk.

Using variables in canned responsesLink icon

You can use variables in your HelpDesk canned responses. We support the following variables: 

  • {{ticket.requesterName}}
  • {{ticket.requesterEmail}}
  • {{ticket.agentName}}
  • {{ticket.agentEmail}}

To use them, just type them in the canned response text area.

Adding variables in the canned response text area.

Example of variables in HelpDesk canned responses.

When you use canned responses in tickets, variables should be automatically replaced with proper values.

Example of variables filled with data in a ticket.

If you apply a variable and there’s no value it can use, for example, there’s no agent assigned to the ticket, the variables won’t be populated with a specific value.
If you apply a variable and there’s no value it can use, for example, there’s no agent assigned to the ticket, the variables won’t be populated with a specific value.

An unfilled value after applying a variable in a canned response.

Using LiveChat variables in HelpDesk canned responsesLink icon

When you import canned responses from your LiveChat account to HelpDesk, you can use several variables. We support the following variables from LiveChat:

  • %ticket.requesterName%
  • %ticket.requesterEmail%
  • %ticket.agentName%
  • %ticket.agentEmail%

However, when importing data from LiveChat to HelpDesk, the %var_name% variable format available in LiveChat will be replaced by the {{var_name}} variable format available in HelpDesk.

Editing canned responsesLink icon

To edit your canned response, click the “Edit” button, make the necessary changes, and click “Save.”

Editing a canned response in HelpDesk.

Deleting canned responsesLink icon

If you no longer need a particular canned response, you can delete it in your HelpDesk account, by following these steps:

  • Go to the “Settings” section, select the “Canned responses” category, and find the response you want to delete.
  • Hover your cursor over it and click “Delete.”

Deleting a canned respaDeleting a canned response in HelpDesk.onse

Then, click the “Delete” button to confirm the action.

Confirmation of canned response deletion in HelpDesk.

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