Q: What is a merge tag? How do I use merge tags?

For the most part, you won't have to edit or do anything with merge tags. Just leave them as they are.

About Merge Tags:

These tags are bits of code that actually merge in your information, from your Profile Information, Signature, and Photo. They look like this, and you'll see them in your templates wherever your info is merged in:

{{u-email}}

{{u-firstname}}

{{u-signature-photo:170}}

The merge tags are always surrounded by double parentheses. When you USE a template, you create a new document that you can edit. If you delete them from your document for any reason, that piece of information will then not be merged into your document in that particular place.

Merge Tag Example:

Here's an example- in this letter, you can see the document created from the letter template in the large screen. The edit box has been opened on this page, and on the right side you'll see the edit box, and within that the Merge Tags that are merging profile information into the letter. You don't have to do anything! As long as your profile information is up-to-date and correct, the correct information will be merged into your documents.

All of your documents that contain merge tags will be updated, just by updating your profile information. No need to go through every one to change your email or phone number! Just update your information in "My Profile."

Advanced Merge Tag Use:

If you'd like to place your information into a document that you're spending a lot of time editing- for instance, you want to add a signature or your name somewhere that it doesn't already exist- you can place any one of these merge tags into your document. (Of course, you can also just type your name in BUT it won't automatically update like it will with a Merge Tag). 

In other words- you can delete a merge tag, and type any text you want into its place. It just won't auto-update.

Here's a list of commonly-used tags for YOUR PROFILE INFO that you can place into any document you have on the Service For Life! site:

Email: {{u-email}}

First name: {{u-firstname}}

Last name: {{u-lastname}}

Title: {{u-title}}

Street address: {{u-street}}

State: {{u-state}}

Zip Code: {{u-postal}}

Work Phone: {{u-workphone}}

Mobile Phone: {{u-mobilephone}}

Business Name: {{u-business}}

Website: {{u-website}}

Logo: {{u-logo-photo}}

Signature Image: {{u-signature-photo:170}}