invalid_blocks error when using type rich_text

[marcopiii]

Packages:

• @slack/web-api

Reproducible in:

The Slack SDK version

"slack/web-api": "^6.7.2",
"slack/logger": "^3.0.0",
"slack/types": "^2.7.0",

Node.js runtime version

v12.22.10

OS info

ProductName:	macOS
ProductVersion:	12.2.1
BuildVersion:	21D62
Darwin Kernel Version 21.3.0: Wed Jan  5 21:37:58 PST 2022; root:xnu-8019.80.24~20/RELEASE_X86_64

Steps to reproduce:

slackWebClient.chat.postMessage({
    channel: "ABC123",
    blocks: [{
        "type": "rich_text",
        "elements": [{
            "type": "rich_text_list",
            "elements": [{
                    "type": "rich_text_section",
                    "elements": [{
                        "type": "text",
                        "text": "First"
                    }]
                },
                {
                    "type": "rich_text_section",
                    "elements": [{
                        "type": "text",
                        "text": "Second"
                    }]
                }
            ],
            "style": "bullet",
            "indent": 0
        }]
    }],
});

Expected result:

I would expect this to work since in the Slack Block Kit Builder it seems a legit block

Actual result:

Error: An API error occurred: invalid_blocks

[srajiang]

Hey @marcopiii - When I put those blocks you supplied into block kit builder, I get a type error, so I'm curious whether there's a version of the sample you provided that block kit builder accepts, or what you're referencing that refers to rich_text and rich_text_list

Based on this there is plain_text and mrkdwn as supported types for text.

[marcopiii]

I'm can't see any reference to a version of the tool. If it can be useful this is the exact fragment that should allow you to recreate the same block

#%7B"blocks":%5B%7B"type":"rich_text","elements":%5B%7B"type":"rich_text_list","elements":%5B%7B"type":"rich_text_section","elements":%5B%7B"type":"text","text":"First"%7D%5D%7D,%7B"type":"rich_text_section","elements":%5B%7B"type":"text","text":"Second"%7D%5D%7D%5D,"style":"bullet","indent":0%7D%5D%7D%5D%7D

and this is the preview

Based on this there is plain_text and mrkdwn as supported types for text.

yes, I saw the supported types and i tried to cast it with an any to make it compile in case it was some kind of "hide" feature but that's not the case.
It seems there is a discrepancy between the preview tool and the API.

[seratch]

@marcopiii Unfortunately, "rich_text" blocks are unavailable for 3rd party Slack apps. Only Slack client apps (Desktop/Web/iOS/Android) can send those blocks to Slack API servers. Block Kit Builder may work with more blocks like you've observed because the tool can be used for crafting a human message too (You can find "Send to Slack" button).

Thus, please go with the blocks listed here instead.

[marcopiii]

@seratch thank you for the clarification 🙏

A bit off-topic but, is there any other way to represent a real bullet point list for a 3rd part app (I mean, besides using some visual trick like • characters)? It looks like - doesn't work in the markdown block.

[seratch]

@marcopiii I see your point here very well ... but

using some visual trick like • characters

this is the only way to list items in Slack text messages 🙇

If everything is clear now, would you mind closing this issue?

[vvo]

@seratch

Unfortunately, "rich_text" blocks are unavailable for 3rd party Slack apps.

Is that still true? I mean, I can definitely craft API requests to send rich_text blocks and it just works

[seratch]

@vvo Great question! Almost a month ago, the platform unlocked the feature to 3rd party apps, so as you've noticed, you can now use rich_text blocks in a message and modal inputs!

See also:

• Add rich_text_input block element support java-slack-sdk#1215
• Add RichTextInputElement to slack_sdk.models python-slack-sdk#1406
• Add rich_text_input block payload support bolt-js#1963
• Add rich text types #1643

[vvo]

Nice :)