# Simple message

Sends a single text message. If you need several messages in a row, a picture, a video or a file, use the "Message chain" block.

![Settings panel of the "Simple message" block](https://support.watbot.org/_media/en/01-chatbots/03-blocks/01-messages/_images/text.webp?v=1791781230)

## Settings

- **"Simple message"** — the text the person will see. The field is required. The buttons under the field format the selected text: bold — between `*`, italic — between `_`, strikethrough — between `~`. The smiley icon in the field inserts an emoji.
- **The "Full name", "Name", "Last name", "Phone", "Email", "Address", "Username" buttons and the "Variable" field** — insert the contact's data and variables into the text. See [Templates](https://support.watbot.org/chatbots/templates) for details.
- **"Validation"** — a check of the person's reply, see ["Validation"](https://support.watbot.org/chatbots/blocks/messages#validation).
- **"Menu"** — the block's buttons, see ["Menu"](https://support.watbot.org/chatbots/blocks/messages#menu).
- **"Advanced"** — the block's switches, see ["Advanced"](https://support.watbot.org/chatbots/blocks/messages#advanced).

## Outputs

- Buttons from the "Menu" section — each has its own output. It fires when the person presses the button or types its name.
- "Any other phrase" — the person replied with something that is not among the buttons.
- "Continue" — the bot moves on right after sending the message, without waiting for a reply.