We’ve updated Alli’s Q&A uploading feature upon many requests. Now you can include images in the answers while uploading Q&A.

Creating a rich Q&A database with images is a lot easier when you have a large number of Q&A. Let’s check out how.

If you want to understand how to set up a Q&A in Alli in general, check out the following user guide: Alli – Setting up Q&A Chat

Step 1. Prepare your Q&A file in tsv, csv, or xlsx format, and prepare image files you’d like to add to the answers in the same location with the Q&A file. Gif, jpg, and png formats are supported.

Step 2. Put the images you want to add to the answers using [!filename], including extension. Just like this:

Or you can also place the image files in subfolders. Put the subfolders in the same location with the Q&A file, and use [!location\filename]. You can use ‘\’, ‘/’, or ‘￦’.

Step 3. Compress the Q&A file, the image file, and the subfolders into zip format. Again, the flies and the folders should be in the same location.

Step 4. In the Alli dashboard, proceed to Knowledge Base > Add Q&A > Upload Q&A and upload the zip file. You’re all set! You’ll be able to see the images as part of the answers in the dashboard and Alli’s chat window.

Two small things to note:

1. You can only add images as part of answers and not as part of questions.
2. If you download the Q&A after adding images in the answers, the images will be represented as URLs. That’s normal; the files are saved in the URL, so you don’t need to upload the same files again.

You can also include links and text styles to answers in Alli. Let’s check out how to do this.

Please remember that images, links and styles can be included only in the answer part of an Q&A, and not in the question part.

Adding Links

To add links in your Q&A file, you should use [#LinkText|URL] format. Just like how it is done below.

Any links in your Q&A, whether they are added via uploading files or using dashboard Q&A editor, will be converted into the format shown above when you download the Q&A from the Alli dashboard. Hence, your links’ information is preserved.

Once you upload the Q&A file, check whether the links are displayed as intended or not. If you encounter any errors, you may use our dashboard Q&A editor to correct them.

Adding Text Styles

To add text styles in your Q&A file, you should use xlsx format or a zip file to include both the excel file and the images. Just apply the style to the text in your Q&A excel sheet and then upload the file.

There are a few important things to keep in mind.

• Bold, italic, and font color are the only format options available via the upload option. Underline and text size format options can be used via dashboard Q&A editor.
• You may see a slight difference in the font color as Alli text editor doesn’t support all the colors. Hence font color will be adjusted to the most similar color that is supported.
• Again, xlsx format only. Xls, csv, and tsv formats are not supported.

Let us know if you’d like to see certain new features updated in Alli. We can connect and work with you to keep Alli updated to better serve your needs.

With our latest release, Alli now supports uploading file attachments when uploading Q&A. For those familiar with uploading image attachments, the process is very similar. For a general introduction to our Q&A feature, please refer to this user guide: Setting up Q&A Chat. Step 1. Prepare your Q&A file in tsv, csv, or xlsx format, and place all file attachments in the same folder as or a subfolder of the Q&A file. For information on how to format your Q&A file, please refer to this user guide: Uploading Q&A. Step 2. In the corresponding answer field, include the filenames of any files you wish to attach in the following format: [@filename.ext]. Be sure to include the filetype extension, just like this:

Note that we use the ‘@’ prefix to indicate a general file attachment and the ‘!’ prefix to indicate an image attachment. To reference files in subfolders use [@location\filename.ext]. Make sure the subfolder is located in the same directory as your Q&A file. You can use ‘\’, ‘/’, or ‘￦’.

Step 3. Compress the Q&A file, the attachment files, and any subfolders into zip format. Again, the files and the folders must be in the same location.

Step 4. In the Alli dashboard, proceed to Knowledge Base > Q&A > Add Q&A. Within the answer section, click on the paper clip icon to “Insert File”. You’re all set!

Two small things to note:

1. As with images, file attachments can only be added as part of answers and not questions.
2. If you download the Q&A after adding files in the answers, the files will be represented as URLs. That’s normal; the files are saved in the URL, so you don’t need to upload the same files again.