2026.6.3
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Answer callback query

Use this action to respond when someone presses a button on an inline keyboard. The response shows as a short notification at the top of the chat, or as a pop-up alert. Telegram includes the callback query ID in the telegram_callback event, so you usually answer from an automation triggered by that event.

Using this action from the user interface

If you prefer building automations and scripts visually, Home Assistant walks you through this action step by step. You pick what to target, tweak a few options, and save. No YAML knowledge required.

To answer a callback query from an automation or a script:

  1. Go to Settings > Automations & scenes.
  2. Open an existing automation or script, or select Create automation > Create new automation.
  3. If you’re setting up a new automation, add a trigger in the When section. Scripts don’t need a trigger. They run when something else calls them.
  4. In the Then do section, select Add action.
  5. From the search box, search for and select Telegram bot: Answer callback query.
  6. Enter the Message and the Callback query ID and, optionally, other options.
  7. Select Save.

If you have more than one Telegram bot, set the Config entry ID to choose which bot answers. With a single bot, you can leave it empty.

Options in the UI

Message (Required)

The text to show to the person who pressed the button.
Callback query ID (Required)

The ID of the callback query to answer. It comes from the telegram_callback event.
Show alert

Show the message as a pop-up alert instead of a brief notification.
Config entry ID

The Telegram bot to use. Required if you have more than one bot.

Using this action in YAML

If you work directly in YAML, or you want to know exactly what Home Assistant does under the hood, this section has the technical reference. It lists the field names you use in YAML, their types, and which ones are required.

In YAML, refer to this action as telegram_bot.answer_callback_query:

ActionActions are used in several places in Home Assistant. As part of a script or automation, actions define what is going to happen once a trigger is activated. In scripts, an action is called *sequence*. [Learn more] 
action: telegram_bot.answer_callback_query
data:
  message: "OK, I'm on it!"
  callback_query_id: "{{ trigger.event.data.id }}"

Options in YAML

message string Required

The text to show to the person who pressed the button.

callback_query_id integer Required

The ID of the callback query to answer. It comes from the telegram_callback event.

show_alert boolean

Show the message as a pop-up alert instead of a brief notification.

config_entry_id string

The Telegram bot to use. Required if you have more than one bot.

Try it yourself

Ready to test this? Open Developer tools > Actions, search for this action, fill in the fields, and select Perform action. You see what happens on your actual entitiesAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more] without writing a line of YAML.

Still stuck?

The Home Assistant community is quick to help: join Discord for real-time chat, post on the community forum with the action you’re calling and what you expected to happen, or share on our subreddit /r/homeassistant.

Tip

AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude can also explain actions or suggest the right one when you describe what you want in plain language.