Configuring an Auto Attendant (IVR)
← How-To Guides
Configuring an Auto Attendant (IVR)
Section titled “Configuring an Auto Attendant (IVR)”An Auto Attendant (also called an IVR — Interactive Voice Response) greets incoming callers and presents menu options to direct them to the right destination — extensions, voicemail, ring groups, or sub-menus. It is the most commonly used inbound call routing method.
Before You Start
Section titled “Before You Start”- Record or upload your greeting audio. See Setting up Audio Recordings.
- Create any extensions, ring groups, or sub-menus you’ll route to.
- Have your dial plan in front of you (which key = which destination).
Creating an Auto Attendant
Section titled “Creating an Auto Attendant”- Log in to the Nova PBX portal.
- In the left navigation, go to PBX Features → Auto Attendant / Voice Menus.
- Click Create Voice Menu (the green + button in the top-right action bar).
- Fill in the fields:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Short identifier — no spaces or special characters |
| Description | Human-readable label to identify this menu later |
| What to play | Select your uploaded greeting recording |
-
Add destination entries for each key press (0–9,
*,#):- Select the key in the Key column.
- Choose the destination type (extension, ring group, IVR sub-menu, voicemail, etc.).
- Fill in the target.
-
Click Save.
Building Multi-Level IVRs
Section titled “Building Multi-Level IVRs”When creating nested menus (e.g., “Press 1 for Sales, Press 2 for Support”), create the sub-menus first, then link them from the top-level menu.
Example structure:
Main Menu├── 1 → Sales Ring Group├── 2 → Support Sub-Menu│ ├── 1 → Tier 1 Queue│ └── 2 → Tier 2 Queue└── 0 → Operator ExtensionLinking the Auto Attendant to a Phone Number
Section titled “Linking the Auto Attendant to a Phone Number”Once saved, assign the Auto Attendant to an inbound route. See Setting up Inbound Routes.