Hi ​@DonnaM ,
When you add a field to collect an email, if the user types something that isn't a valid email, you can set how many times (up to 5) Manychat will notify them that the email was entered incorrectly. You can customize this error message, and you can also change the expiration time — which is 30 minutes by default — to something longer, as shown in the screenshot below:
 

Additionally, if you want to make absolutely sure the user doesn't continue without providing a valid email, you can add a Condition block right after the email collection block. This block checks whether the user already has an email saved. If not, you can redirect them back to the previous block:
 

Thanks, 

ths issue isn’t if the email is valid, the issue is they can type 1 letter or ANY word and it triggers the freebie with no email collected, this is what i have so far. Would the additional condition you’re recommending prevent that from happening?

Make sure that, in the configuration of the field that collects the email, you enabled the option for Manychat to attempt to collect it correctly a certain number of times, as I showed you in the screenshot in the previous message. When you set it to something like 'Retry 5 times if the user reply is invalid', Manychat will send a message letting the user know that the email is invalid.

As for the additional condition, yes, it will also work. If you enable this, even if the user enters incorrect data multiple times, once it reaches the condition block, the system will detect that the email was not saved and will return to the previous step.

I don’t understand how to create the Edit Data collection section in your image. When i click it, it doesn’t look like your screen, it just adds the purple waiting for email section to the sent message.

Is there a step by step guide some where for this please? I don’t understand how it works.

Ok, I managed to add the condition step in your screen shot, but i’m not sure where to direct it from there? I really appreciate your help

Regarding your first question, to edit the configuration options of the email collection field, simply click on the word "email". A screen with additional settings will appear:
 

As for your second question about the condition block, here’s a suggestion on how you can set it up: split the initial message into two separate blocks. This way, if the user does not enter their email, you can redirect them back to that step. Keep in mind that this additional validation step is usually not necessary, as the email collection block itself can send up to 5 reminder messages prompting for a valid email address. In most cases, users either stop responding or end up entering the correct email. In any case, here is a screenshot showing how it could look:
 

Thanks so much for helping!

to clarify, 20 hours, retry 5 times and just delete the ‘skip button’ option? Does this look right?

If that is right, please can you check the full flow is now going to work accurately? Does this look right?

sorry sent too soon!

When I preview and just enter ‘D’ instead of an email, it did say email not valid, but then went ahead and gave me the guide anyway, this is exactly what i was worried it would do.

Everything seems to be in order. I don't see any configuration errors. Did you apply these latest changes by clicking the blue 'Set Live' button?

When i try to set live, it asks to change to comment reply, but then says comment replies can only have 1 text block?

Indeed, for comment reply automations, the first block must be a 'comment reply' type message with a button. Then, after the user clicks it, the flow continues with the additional steps. See an example in the screenshot below:
 

To switch the message type, simply click the area indicated in the screenshot below:
 

sorry for not being clear, when i change it to comment reply, the previous image is the message i get on screen

For flows triggered by comments on posts, there are some limitations. The first message must be of the “Comment Reply” type and include a button so you can continue the flow. And since it’s a “Comment Reply” message, you cannot collect the email in that initial message; therefore, you will need to add a second message instead of just converting the current one. See the screenshot I sent in the previous message.

If you’d like to learn more about this type of flow, you can check out a detailed step-by-step article by Manychat:
https://help.manychat.com/hc/en-us/articles/14281316989724-Instagram-Post-and-Reel-Comments-Trigger
 

I had a second text box originally and you said it was unnecessary? 

My original flow was a manychat template, but it was allowing them to type anything to get the email.

I’ve followed your advice and changed it all, so what do i need to do now with this flow to be allowed to capture email?

I’ve read the manychat help articles and don’t understand, hence my original question

​@DonnaM send first message as comment reply, then send the second message for capture the email.set data collection and save reply in a user field.if any body not enter the email, check condition and send follow up message if you want.

If you feel you did not understand this.send me direct message.i will guide you with all steps.thanks.