Say hello to an improved way to merge documents!

Say hello to an improved way to merge documents!

Automating all your documents from start to finish is now easier than ever with Writer's new merge tools.
 

If you haven't seen it yet, you can read the main announcement here.

Here is the full list of the features we've rolled out:

1. Dynamic Table Headers and repeated blocks
After listening to our latest user feedback, we knew these two features were a must-have.

Subform creation
Subforms are field groups that mostly denote choices, transactions, and other activities registered under a single record. With Writer, you can now create such field groups within a record that, when merged, will dynamically grow based on the records in your data source.  
 

For example: Say you want to keep track of the products purchased by a certain customer. In this case, "Customer" is a record, and "the products they purchased" are recorded as a subform under their name.

 

Subforms can be mapped to a related subform in a data source, like Zoho Creator, Zoho CRM, and more.

 



Repeating blocks
You can now repeat blocks as a paragraph, a table row, a table cell, or a table column. For instance, if you're listing the names of books, their authors and descriptions, you can just use the Repeat option of your choice, select the merge fields that carry those details, and insert it into the document.

The selected blocks with all the information you need would then automatically be repeated for each book in your data source.




2. New field types
You can now choose from a variety of different field types to up your template-creation game.


Same field, different configurations 
In case you would want the settings of a field to be different in one or a few places alone, we added a new "change for this instance" option. This way, you can tweak format, output type, and other value settings for a particular instance of a field without affecting other parts of the document where the same field is used.



Repeated blocks? Auto-number it!
If you're working with repeated blocks using the repeat field or subform fields, you can assign auto-increment serial numbers by simply inserting the new "Auto-number" field before them.
  


Embed fields to make documents more interactive
Here's something to make your templates more personalized for each of your recipients: You can now add unique, interactive elements for each of them using an Embed field. This makes it easier to add map locations for each of your records or add contextual video links to guide them.
 



Placeholder images in templates
You can now apply custom placeholder images to image fields in Writer based on the type of document you're working with.

 

In addition to giving your template designers better layout control over the template, placeholder images also let the user know the type of image to be inserted or attached.




3. Tools to format those field types
What's the point of so many different field types if you can't adjust them to your liking? That's exactly what we did.

Shortened field names
There could be fields in your data source whose names are way too long, making your templates look untidy or unclear. Long field names could also denote that your content might look drastically different if the values those fields have are usually much shorter.
 

To tackle this, we're introducing a provision in which you can shorten the names of fields in your merged documents.




Formula that output!
Know that feeling when you have everything ready and merged in your output document except for the final cost of your products? That's why we've introduced formulas in merge fields: so you no longer have to calculate your figures manually. You can now use formulas to calculate your merged output using the desired functions.



Personalized date formats
Certain documents require dates to be written in a certain format. For instance, formal letters require the date to be written in full with the day, month, followed by a comma and the year. With Writer's new update, you can now change the format of the merged date to suit your purpose.




Display past or future dates
The date field provides an easy way to display the current date, but what about when you want to display a past or future date?
For instance, if you're sending renewal reminders and the renewal date is 3 months from the subscription date, you can simply add "3" in the months option or add the number of days for the interval in the days field, and Writer will automatically calculate and enter the renewal date in the field. Similarly, you can do the same to enter dates that are even prior to the subscription date.
  


Rich text
The fields in your data source may carry links, or even have different styles. Merge fields in Writer are now enabled with rich text to retain the style and  format of the fields from your data source after merge.




Number and currency field formatting
Just like how you can change the format of date fields, you can also do the same with number and currency fields. Legal documents, for instance, require values to be presented in the correct decimal and currency format. In such cases, all you have to do is simply change the format of the merged values by using the number formatting option.




4. Other handy merge upgrades
We didn't just stop there. Here are three more upgrades we think will enhance the way you work with your documents pre- and post-merge.

Customize merge docs with sign settings
Create sign-ready, customized documents for specific clients that your colleagues can check, change a few things if needed, and then send for sign immediately with the configuration you've set for them. This gives you that final layer of review and confirmation before sending out a contract to clients.

 



Detailed merge reports
Now, stay on top of your merged emails by tracking when they have been viewed or read by your recipients and how they are interacting with your links.


Lastly, the automation panel gets a new look!
That's right. Based on what some of you told us, we've improved the automation panel by making it easier for you to access "Prepare" and "Run Merge" steps distinctly from the panel at any time.


That's all for now. Let us know what you think of these updates in the comments below.

Read the main announcement here.


Happy merging!


    • Sticky Posts

    • Easily perform calculations using dates with the new DATEDIF function

      Hey Zoho Writer users! We've enhanced Zoho Writer's formula capabilities with the new DATEDIF function. This allows you to calculate the difference between dates in days, months, and years. Function syntax: =DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, unit) Inputs:

    • Zoho Writer's WordPress extensions

      Hey Zoho Writer users! Say goodbye to all your WordPress content publishing woes with Zoho Writer's WordPress extensions. Publish content with all your formatting and images, republish content when you update a document, and more—from a single window

    • Date-based conditions and filters

      Configure conditions with date  Hi everyone! We are excited to announce that you can now compare and filter data with date-based conditions. This update lets you compare date fields in a document to a reference date and display a text or value if the

    • Introducing group by, aggregation, and repeating regions in mail merge templates

      Display data exactly the way you want and highlight key insights with Zoho Writer's enhanced merge templates. We've supercharged Zoho Writer's merge templates with the capability to dynamically group, aggregate, and repeat data as blocks. You can now

    • Say hello to an improved way to merge documents!

      Automating all your documents from start to finish is now easier than ever with Writer's new merge tools. If you haven't seen it yet, you can read the main announcement here. Here is the full list of the features we've rolled out: 1. Dynamic Table Headers

    • Recent Topics

    • Check out in Meetings

      Why there is no check out in Meetings of Zoho CRM, very difficult to track Moderation Update: Meeting Check-out is in our roadmap and is currently in the development analysis phase. Development is yet to start, and we'll post an update here once it

    • Custom View - Sort by Custom Field

      I created a custom field for our Engineering team to know which tickets to work first by numbering them.  I created a custom view to general data which includes the Engineering Priority.  However, I cannot sort the Engineering Priority column ascending

    • Zoho Marketing Automation Cannot Sync Lookiup Fields

      Hello all, It seems that Zoho MA cannot sync Lookup fields from the CRM. Can you confirm if this is the case? Is there a workaround? Do you know if Campaigns can sync with custom modules and also with Lookup field in the CRM? Thank you!

    • Why does Analytics keep pulling in IDs?

      Every time I pull in Job Reference/Name data it inputs it as an ID number instead of the actual name. Its impossible to find anything. Is there a way to fix this?

    • Feature request - pin or flag note

      Hi, It would be great if you could either pin or flag one or more notes so that they remain visible when there are a bunch of notes and some get hidden in the list. Sometimes you are looking for a particular name that gets lost in a bunch of less important

    • CRM x WorkDrive: We're rolling out the WorkDrive-powered file storage experience for existing users

      Release plan: Gradual rollout to customers without file storage add-ons, in this order: 1. Standalone CRM 2. CRM Plus and Zoho One DCs: All | Editions: All Available now for: - Standalone CRM accounts in Free and Standard editions without file storage

    • Zoho Assist Remote Desktop on Android grey screen

      With Zoho Assist Remote Desktop for Android when I connect to an unattended device I see only a Grey Screen. It worked fine before. This is a recently issue. I tried to clean data and cache, reinstall app, try and old version... but nothing. Always grey

    • Global Sets for Multi-Select pick lists

      When is this feature coming to Zoho CRM? It would be very useful now we have got used to having it for the normal pick lists.

    • Change 'default' project dashboard

      Is it possible to change the default project dashboard for all projects? Both in layout and in what widgets are shown? We have a lot of (short-running) projects and I want to quickly see the tasks and milestones when I open a Project, but I don't want to change the layout for all my projects manually. Thanks, Menno

    • Unbilled Items from Purchase orders

      Hi, I was wondering if there is a way for me to generate a report for the sum amount of unbilled items in open PO or partially billed PO. this info would be helpful for better cash flow management and for foreseeing any issues for unjustified delays for

    • Discount Per Item / Option Removed

      Hi, I was using Zoho Books for three years now and very saticfied. Now, as we try to add an invoice, we founds that the discount option per item was takn away, and a discount from total was implemented. However, we have cases when we add a diffrent discount to each item. Was this option removed permanently? Thanks, 

    • Allow Reauthorizing CRM Connections Without Revoking First

      Currently, when a Zoho CRM connection needs to be reauthorized or authorized with another account, we first have to revoke the existing authorization and then authorize it again. This creates a gap where the connection is unavailable, and any functions,

    • Zoho Projects - Mobile App - Creating Related Issue On Task View

      Hi Projects Team, I'm working with a client who wants to use Zoho Projects for their field service work. So far it is working find (and I am aware of FSM, but the client is happy with Projects). One thing they have raise with me as a frustration is that

    • 👍 Zoho CRM's Notes now gets Reactions and a new look

      Available in SA and JP DCs. Rolling out to other DCs in phases. Hello everyone, Notes help users capture important updates, collaborate with teammates, and maintain context for records. Now with Note Reactions, users can quickly acknowledge updates, express

    • Track All Emails from Company Domain

      For our business model, it's almost impossible to keep track of all emails sent to clients, under the way ZohoCRM currently tracks emails to customer records via the user account only. We'd like to see a way of tracking emails via domain only, separate

    • Cannot format "start date" field in Zoho Flow

      I am trying to recreate a flow that connects Inventory package creation to Zoho projects (where a task is created in a defined project). I've been able to troubleshoot everything EXCEPT the date fields; specifically the "start date" - which is quite important

    • Introducing Incentives for Zoho CRM: Build, automate, and track sales commissions

      Dear Customers, We are here with an amazing news! We built a direct solution to help manage your commission provisioning activity in your business. From creating commission plans to issuing payouts, this application leverages your sales reps’ performance

    • Dark Mode for ZOHO Recruit

      Please make a dark mode for ZOHO Recruit. The white is SO BRIGHT!

    • Dashboards for Customers

      Is it possible to build dashboards for each customers in the community for their tickets?

    • Feature Request - Dedicated "Avail" action for Restricted Holidays (instead of routing through Apply Leave)

      Currently, Restricted Holidays in Zoho People are handled through the Leave module. Employees have to go through Apply Leave and select the Restricted Holiday as a Leave Type in order to avail it. From an HR perspective, a Restricted Holiday isn't really

    • Deleting invoice (not syncing with Xero)

      If I delete an invoice or Bill in Zoho Inventory, it doesn't sync with Xero. So my Xero accounts are not correct. Whats the point of being able to delete a transaction in Zoho if it doesn't sync to my accounting package? How can I do this?

    • Allow Clients to choose which meeting platform works best for them

      Hi! I have a feature request for Zoho Bookings! I currently have multiple online meeting platforms connected to Zoho Bookings: Zoho Meeting, Zoom Meetings and Teams Meetings. Since we are allowed to connect multiple meeting platforms, it would only make

    • Implement Meeting Polls in Zoho Bookings

      Dear Zoho Bookings Support Team, We'd like to propose a feature enhancement related to appointment scheduling within Zoho Bookings. Current Functionality: Zoho Bookings excels at streamlining individual appointment scheduling. Users can set availability

    • Previewing attachments in email composer (Zoho CRM)

      When I am sending an email from a contact's record, when I am in the compose email screen, if I add an attachment to the email, I cannot then click on the attachment to view it to see if it is in fact the correct attachment before sending. In Outlook

    • Zoho Lens Feature Update: September 2026

      RealWear store support Zoho Lens is now listed on the RealWear marketplace, paving the way for quick and easy deployments. Install it straight to your smart glasses from the marketplace without any cables, pendrives, or manual transfers.

    • How are you using AI task management tools in your team

      AI is becoming more useful when it can do more than suggest tasks. Having AI agents help with task updates, follow-ups, and repetitive project work could make day-to-day collaboration much smoother. I recently came across Sharkly.ai, which focuses on

    • Can Zoho Mail Be Used with Google Workspace Without Migrating Emails?

      Hello Zoho Community, We currently use Google Workspace for our company emails and do not want to migrate our email accounts or data to Zoho Mail. However, we would like to use Zoho Mail as an email client, similar to Microsoft Outlook, by connecting

    • Topic assignment to a contact list never completes in Zoho Campaigns

      Hello, I am experiencing an issue in Zoho Campaigns when trying to assign a Topic to a contact list. When I select a list and try to assign a Topic, Zoho displays the following message: “This process will take a few minutes. You will receive an email

    • Subforms and automation

      If a user updates a field how do we create an automation etc. We have a field for returned parts and i want to get an email when that field is ticked. How please as Zoho tells me no automation on subforms. The Reason- Why having waited for ever for FSM

    • [ZohoDesk] Improve Status View with a new editeble kanban view

      A kanban view with more information about the ticket and the contact who created the ticket would be valueble. I would like to edit the fields with the ones i like to see at one glance. Like in CRM where you can edit the canvas view, i would like to edit

    • Automating CRM backup storage?

      Hi there, We've recently set up automatic backups for our Zoho CRM account. We were hoping that the backup functionality would not require any manual work on our end, but it seems that we are always required to download the backups ourselves, store them,

    • Zoho Assist Feature Update: September 2026

      Custom View Filters in Scheduled Reports Scheduled Custom Reports now support saved Views. Select a View when setting up your schedule, and only the data matching its filter criteria will be delivered to recipients in each email. Without a selected View,

    • Tip #89 – Access, print, and manage remote files from your local printer with Remote Printing – 'Insider Insights'

      A team member working from home urgently needs a document that's sitting on the office system. The office is locked and nobody is around to access it. Emailing the file means routing a sensitive document through external channels, and that's not something

    • Important: Teamwork Projects Integration Moving to API v3

      Hello Teamwork Project users, We are migrating the Teamwork Projects integration from the legacy V1 API to V3 API. This upgrade enables support for custom fields from Teamwork Projects, allowing users to import custom modules and fields into Zoho Analytics

    • Introducing Night Mode for Zoho Recruit [BETA]

      Late-night hiring sessions? Long hours reviewing resumes? We heard you. Night mode [BETA] is now available in Zoho Recruit, giving you a cleaner, more comfortable workspace that’s easier on the eyes while keeping the focus on what matters most: hiring.

    • Sent Items folders not syncing on Thunderbird

      HI,  I run TB on multiple devices, since the middle of September all the devices have stopped synchronising the sent items folders, all mail is received and sent correctly and stored in my zoho webfolders. I haven't changed any of the settings. Any ideas? This is also the case in my 'paid for' accounts with ZOHO and Thunderbird Many thanks Tony whittingham

    • Thunderbird not retrieving Mail automatically

      Hi, I have set up Zoho in Thunderbird all fine, the only problem is that the mails are not coming to Thunderbird automatically, they only come when I initially start up Thunderbird,  any ideas for a fix on this cheers

    • Free Webinar Alert! Don’t take the bait: Everyday email safety in Zoho Mail

      Hello Zoho Community! Think you can spot a suspicious email before it catches you off guard? Join our upcoming webinar, “Don’t take the bait: Everyday email safety in Zoho Mail,” and learn how to recognize common email threats and build safer habits for

    • Do you know which 20% of your products generate 80% of your revenue?

      Not all products earn their place in your inventory. In almost every catalog, a small group of items drives most of the revenue, while a long tail quietly ties up storage, counting effort, and working capital. The trouble is, most teams treat every SKU

    • How can we allocate incoming PO stock to Sales Orders, and does Backorder automatically reserve it upon receipt?

      Hello Everyone, We want to allocate incoming Purchase Order quantities to specific Sales Orders before the stock arrives. For example, from an existing PO of 100 pieces: 40 pieces assigned to SO-A. 35 pieces assigned to SO-B. 25 pieces left unallocated.

    • Next Page