How to Use Merge Tags
You can use merge tags in any text block by typing@. A dropdown will appear showing available merge tags. Select one to insert it into your email.
You can also simply type the merge tag directly (e.g., @first-name) and it will be recognized.
Example:
Hi @first-name, We wanted to let you know about our upcoming event.
Default Merge Tags
These merge tags are available in every email:| Merge Tag | Description | Example Output |
|---|---|---|
@first-name | Recipient’s first name | John |
@last-name | Recipient’s last name | Doe |
@email | Recipient’s email address | john@example.com |
@view-in-browser | Link to view email in browser | [View in browser] |
@current-date | Today’s date | January 15, 2025 |
@current-month | Current month name | January |
@current-year | Current year | 2025 |
Custom Merge Tags from Planning Center
You can also add custom merge tags that pull data from custom fields in Planning Center. This lets you include personalized information like membership status, small group name, or any other custom field you’ve set up.Adding a Custom Merge Tag
- Click on a text block in your email
- In the sidebar, expand the Merge Tags section
- Click Add Custom Field from PCO
- Select a Custom Tab from Planning Center
- Select a Field from that tab
- Optionally set a default value if the person has no value for that field
- Click Add Field
Supported Field Types
Custom merge tags work with the following Planning Center field types:- Text - Single-line text fields
- Text Area - Multi-line text fields
- Number - Numeric values
- Date - Date values
- Boolean - Yes/No values
Custom merge tags do not work with file uploads, section headers, or checkbox fields.
Default Values
When adding a custom merge tag, you can specify a default value that will be used if the recipient doesn’t have a value for that field. If you leave this blank, the merge tag will simply be empty for those recipients.Managing Custom Merge Tags
After adding custom merge tags, they appear in a table under Custom Merge Tags in the sidebar. Click on any tag to:- Update the default value
- Delete the tag
How Merge Tags Work
- In the editor and preview, merge tags display as their tag names (e.g.,
@first-name) - In test emails, merge tags show their tag names so you can verify placement
- When the email is sent, tags are replaced with actual data from Planning Center
Example
If you’re sending to John Doe (john@example.com) on January 15, 2025: What you write:Hi @first-name, Thank you for being part of our church in @current-year!What John sees:
Hi John, Thank you for being part of our church in 2025!
Best Practices
- Set default values for custom merge tags when the data might be missing
- Use merge tags sparingly - one or two personalization points is usually enough
- Check your data in Planning Center to ensure fields are populated for your recipients
Need help using merge tags? Reach out to support@flowforth.co.