\(Legacy\) Add NLU to an existing keyword topic

task brazil Updated Sep 10, 2026 2 min read add-nlu-existing-keyword-topic.md

Raw file servicenow.com

Create and map an NLU model group and intent for the topic from Assistant Designer.

Before you begin

Configure NLU on the instance in Virtual Agent General Settings.

Role required: virtual_agent_admin or admin

Procedure

Navigate to All > Conversational Interfaces > Virtual Agent > Designer.
Set the discovery type toggle switch to NLU/Keyword.
Open an existing topic.
Select the Properties tab.
In the NLU Model field, do one of the following:

Note: If the NLU model field does not appear and you have Now Assist enabled, ensure that you haven't selected an LLM topic. Navigate back to the Topics page and select a topic that has the Model Type set to NLU/Keywords.
- Choose an existing model.
- Select Create Model to create a new model group.
  1. In the Model Name field, enter a name for the new model group.
  2. In the Intent name field, accept the default value or enter a name for the new intent. Note: New models are created in Draft state.
In the Associated Intent field, do one of the following:
- Choose an existing intent.
- Select Create intent to create a new intent.
  
  In the Intent Name field, accept the default value or enter a name for the new intent.
In the Keywords field, enter key phrases or terms that users enter to initiate the conversation with the Virtual Agent.

Press Enter after each phrase. Keywords are also used for languages that are currently not available in NLU.
Select the NLU Intent tab, and then add utterances and associate entities with them.

For more information about adding utterances, see Create an NLU intent. For more information about defining entities, see Entities.
Make any other changes on the Flow tab, such as associating entities with a node or adding entities as input variables for the topic.
When you're finished with the topic, select Save in the topic header bar.

Result

The modified topic is in the inactive state until you publish it.

Parent Topic:(Legacy) Creating a Virtual Agent NLU topic

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---
title: \(Legacy\) Add NLU to an existing keyword topic
description: Create and map an NLU model group and intent for the topic from Assistant Designer.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/conversational-interfaces/add-nlu-existing-keyword-topic.html
release: brazil
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
reading_time_minutes: 2
breadcrumb: [Create an NLU topic, Build and deploy NLU conversations, \(Legacy\) Virtual Agent for NLU, Conversational Interfaces]
---

# \(Legacy\) Add NLU to an existing keyword topic

Create and map an NLU model group and intent for the topic from Assistant Designer.

## Before you begin

[Configure NLU on the instance in Virtual Agent General Settings](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/conversational-interfaces/configure-nlu-settings.md).

Role required: virtual\_agent\_admin or admin

## Procedure

1. Navigate to **All** &gt; **Conversational Interfaces** &gt; **Virtual Agent** &gt; **Designer**.

2. Set the discovery type toggle switch to **NLU/Keyword**.

3. Open an existing topic.

4. Select the **Properties** tab.

5. In the **NLU Model** field, do one of the following:

**Note:** If the **NLU model** field does not appear and you have Now Assist enabled, ensure that you haven't selected an LLM topic. Navigate back to the Topics page and select a topic that has the **Model Type** set to **NLU/Keywords**.

- Choose an existing model.
- Select **Create Model** to create a new model group.

1. In the **Model Name** field, enter a name for the new model group.
2. In the **Intent name** field, accept the default value or enter a name for the new intent.
**Note:** New models are created in **Draft** state.

6. In the **Associated Intent** field, do one of the following:

- Choose an existing intent.
- Select **Create intent** to create a new intent.

In the **Intent Name** field, accept the default value or enter a name for the new intent.

7. In the **Keywords** field, enter key phrases or terms that users enter to initiate the conversation with the Virtual Agent.

Press **Enter** after each phrase. Keywords are also used for languages that are currently not available in NLU.

8. Select the **NLU Intent** tab, and then add utterances and associate entities with them.

For more information about adding utterances, see [Create an NLU intent](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/intelligent-experiences/create-nlu-intent.md). For more information about defining entities, see [Entities](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/intelligent-experiences/entities.md).

9. Make any other changes on the **Flow** tab, such as associating entities with a node or adding entities as input variables for the topic.

10. When you're finished with the topic, select **Save** in the topic header bar.

## Result

The modified topic is in the inactive state until you publish it.

**Parent Topic:**[\(Legacy\) Creating a Virtual Agent NLU topic](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/conversational-interfaces/create-virtual-agent-topic-nlu.md)