In the following pop up, configure field type as required.
How to control field rendering through merge field type settings
Overview
Zoho Writer's merge fields type make the data source value appear as formatted text, numbers, dates, checkboxes, images, hyperlinks, maps, chart or watermark. This flexibility allows users to design automated proposals, invoices, and reports with rich formatting and logic.
For example, an URL from the data source like ${Payment_URL} with value as https://pay.example.com/invoice/12345, when set as a Link type merge field, appears as a clickable link like Pay Now—ideal for emails. If the field type is set to QR Code, it appears as a scannable code, useful for printed documents.
Steps
Set Merge Field Type
1. Go to Automate Tab --> Click Settings next to Manage Fields.
Set Merge Field Format
Field formatting lets you display the value in bold, italics, UPPERCASE, lowercase, and more. Just select the field like regular text and apply the desired format.
- Select the merge field you wish to apply the formatting to.
- Click the hamburger menu -> Format.
- Select your desired formatting option such as Font Style, Font Size, Text Case, Alignment, and more.
Merge Field Types For Reference
Zoho Writer supports various merge field types to dynamically populate your documents during a mail merge. These include:
| Supported field types | Description | Possible Values in the data source | Rendered as | Notes |
| Plain Text | The value of the field is placed as a string in the document. | “test” | “test” | Select the field in the document and format the text using the editor. |
| Multi-line Text | Text spanning multiple lines is handled as multi-line data | “test input” | “test input” | |
| Checkbox | The checkbox appears checked or unchecked depending on the data source value. | TRUE | true | Yes | 1 for checked FALSE | false | No | 0 for unchecked | ☑ | ☐ | |
| Image | Image fields in the data source are merged directly into the document as image elements | URL of the image src | You can set aspect ratio and size for the image in the editor. | |
| Link | The URL in the data source is placed as a clickable link in the document. | http://zoho.com/writer | http://zoho.com/writer | Click on the value column to create dynamic links with other merge fields. |
| Rich text | HTML values of the data source are rendered in the document. | |||
| Number | Numeric values can be placed in the document. | 100.234 | 100 100.23 | Click "Format" column to set the desired format for the numbers. |
| Email | Phone | An email id or a phone number can be inserted in the document. | director@catsye.com 044 6744 7000 | director@catsye.com 044 6744 7000 | |
| Date | The value of the field is represented as a formatted date in the document. | 24/04/2020 | 24/04/2020 or 24 April 2020 | Refer help to learn how to configure the date fields. |
| Image List | Comma separated image URLs can be placed horizontally or vertically as an image list. | [imageurl1,imageurl2,imageurl3] | ||
| List | A comma separated value in the data source can be added as it is or as a vertical bullet list. | item 1, item 2, item 3 | Comma separated list: item 1, item 2, item 3 or Vertical list:
| |
| Embed | The URL value in the data source is embedded in the document as an iframe. | http://mysite.com/profile/ UserID | Click on the value column to make the URL dynamic by placing merge fields in the URL. | |
| Barcode | The value can be merged as a Barcode based on the selected code. | |||
| QR Code | A high-quality QR code can be added based on the specific field value. | QR code data can be a plain text, a web link, a text message, an email, or a business card. | ||
| Map | Convert addresses and location latitude or longitude in the data source to an embeddable map of the location post merge. | 10 Downing Street, Westminster,London,SW1A | When the merged document is printed, the embedded Google Maps link is converted to an embedded image. | |
AutoNumber | Autonumber automatically increments for each record | Ex Generating invoices with multiple line items per customer with each row having serial number automatically assigned |
Next Record field
The Next Record field tells Zoho Writer to pull data from the next row in your data source. For example, fields before it use the current record, while those after use the next one. It's especially useful when repeating identical sections for multiple records
To insert Next Record
- Position the cursor at the desired location
- In the Manage fields section under Advanced fields , click on Next Record.
Troubleshooting
Issue : Is there a way to render Rich text or HTML content from a field properly during merge?
Solution : Set the Merge Field Type to rich text to render the merge field value as rich text
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