Ask for a name

Add an Ask for name step, then choose what to collect: First & last name, First name only, or Last name only. Any reply is accepted, and a full name is split into first and last name for you.

Steps

1. Open your flow under Data Capture Flows.
2. Click Add a step, or the + where you want it.
3. Under Capture data, choose Ask for name.
4. Under What should they send?, pick one:
   • First & last name (marked Best): one reply, split into first and last name.
   • First name only
   • Last name only
5. Check the Question. It changes to match your choice, such as "What's your first and last name?", unless you've written your own.
6. Click Add & save.

The step appears as Ask for full name, Ask for first name, or Ask for last name. Each can be used once per flow.

How a full name is split

• "Jane Smith" saves Jane as the first name and Smith as the last name.
• "Jane Ann Smith" saves Jane and Smith. The whole reply is kept as the full name too.
• "Smith, Jane" is read as last name, then first.
• A single word is saved as the first name.

Name questions accept any reply, so there's no retry. If someone types something odd, it's saved as typed.

Why ask for first and last together?

It's one question instead of two, and every extra question costs you finishes. If you only need something to greet them by, First name only is enough.

Use the name later

In any text or email after this step, click Insert personalization and choose First name or Last name. See Send a text or a handout.