mergefelter

Mergefelter, or merge fields, are placeholders embedded in a template document that are replaced with data from a structured source during a mail merge. They enable the creation of personalized letters, emails, labels, or certificates from a single template.

Merge fields pull values from a data source such as a spreadsheet, database, CRM export, or CSV file. Each row represents a recipient or item, and each column provides a data item (for example, first name, last name, address). During the merge, the software substitutes each placeholder with the corresponding value from the current row to produce individualized documents.

Common use cases include sending personalized customer letters, generating event invitations, creating address labels, or producing invoices and reports tailored to each recipient. The approach helps scale communications while preserving a personal touch.

Typical fields include FirstName, LastName, FullName, Address, City, State or Province, PostalCode, Email, Salutation, and Company. Many systems also support custom fields such as account numbers or product codes. Field syntax varies by platform; some use specialized merge field tags, while others employ placeholders enclosed in braces or angle brackets.

Implementation generally involves preparing a clean data source, inserting merge fields into a template, connecting to the data source, and then performing the merge or exporting the results. Supported platforms include major word processors like Microsoft Word and LibreOffice, as well as various document-generation tools and some email services. It is advisable to test thoroughly with sample data to verify formatting and handle missing values gracefully.

Security and privacy considerations are important when handling personal data. Access to data sources should be restricted, and compliance with relevant laws and organizational policies should be maintained.