Merge Tags will not have any data inserted when doing a test email. The merge tag will, however, change to indicate that the tag was matched. For example, Email Contact First Name will change to << Test First Name >>. If you want to use actual data to test Contact Merge Tags you need to schedule an email and send it to yourself.
Merge Tags allow you to merge information from your database into your email. When you enter a merge tag you will see the Merge Tag shown with brackets surrounding the tag name. Merge tags are simply text placeholders for the data that is to be inserted, once you know a merge tag, you can simply type it in as text if you prefer instead of selecting it from the menu.
For example, an Email Contact First Name is [MemberFirstName].
When you send a test email the merge tag will change to indicate that the tag was matched.
For example, Email Contact First Name will change to << Test First Name >>.
You can insert merge tags into two places of your email. A Text Area or the Subject.
For adding to Text Area:
1. Place your cursor within your text email content where you want to insert the Merge Tag.
2. At the top of your email content in the text edit menu bar select More -> Merge Tags.
3. Select the field you want to insert from the list.
For adding to Subject or Preheader:
1. Select the Subject tab on the left side of the Email Studio.
2. Place your cursor in the Subject or Preaheader text field.
3. Under the Merge Tags, just below Subject or Preaheader text fields, select “Insert Tag” button.
Inserting Custom Field data
If you have a Custom Field named “Meeting.” You can use the Custom Field in your email content as follows. [MemberCustomField name=”Meeting”]
For convenience, we have organized Merge Tags into these four groups.
• Contacts – Your email recipients info. More info
• User – Your information. More info
• RSS – Used when building email with RSS feeds. More info
• Social – Used in tandem with your social media networks. More Info
• Other – System Links and various other data. More info