# Entities: Pull Details Out of Customer Messages

Define entities so AI can pull specific details, such as order IDs or delivery dates, out of customer messages and store them in variables.

> Source: https://www.robylon.ai/docs/data-and-integrations/entities
> Section: Data and tools

Entities are specific details the AI pulls out of a message, such as an order ID or a delivery date. Each entity stores its value in a [variable](https://www.robylon.ai/docs/data-and-integrations/variables-intents-entities) that workflows and AI agents can use.

Open them from **Settings → Data & Developer → Entities**.

## What is an entity?

An entity is a specific detail the AI extracts from what a customer says or writes, such as an order ID, a transaction reference or an email address. Each entity creates a variable, so the extracted value can be used in tools, conditions and replies.

Entities are used by the **Capture** block's **Extract Entity from Reply** option and by the **Extract** block in workflows. The Entities list shows each entity's name, data type, how many intents use it, and who last updated it.

## How do I create an entity?

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Entities">
    Go to **Settings → Data & Developer → Entities** and click **+ Add Entity**.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Fill in the basic info">
    Enter a **Name** and a **Display Name** (the name the AI uses to refer to the entity in searches and conversations). Choose a **Data Type**: **Custom**, **Number**, **Name**, **Alphanumeric** or **Email**. Write a **Description** of what the entity is and what it looks like.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Add synonyms">
    Under **Entity Synonyms**, add other terms customers use for it. For a "User ID", add "username" and "account ID".
  </Step>
  <Step title="Add examples">
    Click **Continue** and add at least one example. **Positive examples** show a piece of text and the value to extract from it. **Negative examples** show text where a similar-looking value should not be extracted, with the reason.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
Entities do not use regex patterns. The AI extracts values from the description, synonyms and examples, so make the description specific: "The order number: 7 digits, sometimes written with a # in front."
</Note>