However I need something slightly different. Instead of an OK/Cancel pop up, i need one that allows the user to manually type the message on the pop up, and that msg becomes msg.payload.
For example they can type, "Machine Breakdown due to electrical failure".
Or even one that gives a range of selection for the user to choose from
I don't fully understand what you are saying, can you post a very small flow exhibiting the problem?
Also tell us which versions of node-red, dashboard, and nodejs you are using.
The thinking was that if if you had an input then you have to allow the user to cancel their input in case they change their mind.
Looking at the Angular options in fact the .prompt() we use always has the cancel button there - so either you can have the input feedback but have the cancel button - or not have feedback (as we can just use the .alert() function instead.
If we detect no text for cancel we auto switch to the alert style - I guess we could just leave it - but then you would get a blank button if left blank...