--- title: Merge Fields description: Merge Fields allow you to personalize messages to different contacts based on the information you have saved to their contact details. Merge Fields can be accessed in Compose Message, Templates, or replies in Conversations. --- [Skip to content](https://help.textrequest.com/merge-fields#main-content) [![favicon-256.png\]](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/favicon-256.png?width=30&height=30&name=favicon-256.png)](https://help.textrequest.com/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Back to textrequest.com](https://www.textrequest.com/) [Back to textrequest.com](https://www.textrequest.com/) Hi! How can we help you today? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Text Request Help Center](https://help.textrequest.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Messages](https://help.textrequest.com/messages?hsLang=en) 3. [Messaging Features](https://help.textrequest.com/messages?hsLang=en#messaging-features) # Merge Fields ## Personalize text messages automatically using saved contact details, custom fields, or user account info. ### **How Merge Fields Work** Merge Fields draw saved information directly from your Text Request account and dynamically insert it into your message draft. - **Contact Details Fields:** Pulls saved data from a contact's card, including their **First Name**, **Last Name**, **Phone Number**, and any [Custom Fields](https://help.textrequest.com/custom-fields?hsLang=en) you've created (e.g., *Appointment Date*, *Account Number*). - **User Profile Fields (My Details):** Pulls information from your personal user profile, including your **First Name**, **Last Name**, or **Email Address**. Merge Fields are available when drafting **Individual Messages**, **Conversation Thread Replies**, **Templates**, **Group Messages**, **Custom Messages,** and **Sequences**.    ### **Understanding Merge Field Chips (Teal vs. Gray)** When you insert a Merge Field into your message draft, it appears as an interactive **Chip**. | **Chip State** | **Visual Appearance** | **What It Means** | **Action Required** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Defined Chip** | ### ![Teal Chip](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Help%20Center/Teal%20Chip.png?width=123&name=Teal%20Chip.png) Teal background | The contact's details card contains the required information. | None. The message is ready to send. | | **Undefined Chip** | ### ![Gray Chip](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Help%20Center/Gray%20Chip.png?width=123&name=Gray%20Chip.png) Gray background | The contact's details card is missing information for that field. | Must be resolved before the message can be sent. |   #### **Resolving Undefined Chips in Individual Messages** If a chip turns gray when composing an individual text or reply, resolve it using one of these options: - **Option 1 (Direct Edit):** Click the **Gray Chip** to type in and save the contact's missing details on the fly. - **Option 2 (Prompt on Send):** Click **Send**. A popover window will prompt you to fill in the missing contact field before the text dispatches.   ### **Adding Merge Fields to Individual Messages & Replies** **![](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Oct-21-2026-12-10-49-0528-PM.png?width=632&height=306&name=image-png-Oct-21-2026-12-10-49-0528-PM.png)** Personalize a direct text message or thread reply on the fly. **Path:** **Compose Message** OR **Messages** \> **Conversations** \> **Select Conversation Thread** **1.** Open a new message tray or existing conversation thread. **2.** Select a contact recipient. **3.** Click the **`[ ]` Brackets** icon inside the message draft box. **4.** Select **Contact details** or **My details**. **5.** Click the specific **Merge Field** you want to insert. **6.** Confirm all chips are teal (**Defined**), then click **Send**.   ### **Adding Merge Fields to Templates** ![](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Oct-21-2026-12-14-37-4260-PM.png?width=637&height=296&name=image-png-Oct-21-2026-12-14-37-4260-PM.png) Create reusable, personalized text templates for frequently sent announcements or appointment reminders. **Path:** **Settings** \> **Templates** \> **+ New Template** **1.** Click **+ New Template**. **2.** Write your template message in the **Message Body** field. **3.** Click the **`[ ]` Brackets** icon to insert desired merge fields. **4.** Click **Add Template** to save. **Note:** Merge field chips will **display as gray** when building a template. Once the template is inserted into an active message thread, chips will automatically turn teal for contacts with complete details.     ### **Merge Fields in Group Messages** ![](https://help.textrequest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Oct-21-2026-12-20-12-4564-PM.png?width=515&height=418&name=image-png-Oct-21-2026-12-20-12-4564-PM.png) Broadcast personalized texts to an entire group while managing recipients with incomplete records. **Path:** **Messages** \> **Group Messages** \> **New Group Message** **1.** Select your target recipient group. **2.** Click **Next**. **3.** In the Message section, click the **`[ ]` Brackets** icon to select your merge fields. **4.** If any chip turns gray with a red exclamation mark, click the **Gray Chip** to select how to handle missing data: - **Replacement Word:** Enter a fallback word (e.g., enter *"valued customer"* if **First Name** is missing) to display for recipients with incomplete records. - **Skip Field:** Skips the merge field for incomplete contacts without breaking the rest of the text. - **Exclude Contacts:** Removes contacts missing that data point from this specific broadcast.   **Tip:** Want to send a personalized group broadcast using a spreadsheet instead of pre-saved contacts? 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