Communication merge fields
In this article
About merge fields
When sending communications through ChurchSuite - either email or SMS - there are several merge fields available so that you can personalise each recipient's communications. Not all merge fields are available for all communication methods and some merge fields can only be used within certain contexts - merge fields relate to the recipient, which may be different to the subject person of the message, e.g. a child email sent to a parent/carer who may have multiple children:
| Merge Field | Example | SMS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ::cellular:: | (855) 808-1833 | Yes | Yes |
| ::contact_details:: | Address: 144 High Street, Nottingham, Notts, NG9 2FE
Telephone: 0115 824 2300 Mobile: 07987 654 321 Email: support@churchsuite.com |
Yes* | Yes |
| ::contact_name:: | George Baker | Yes | Yes |
| ::couple_first_name:: | George & Sally (if linked to a Spouse/Partner) or George (if not linked to a Spouse/Partner) | Yes | Yes |
| ::custom1:: | Your 1st custom field | Yes*** | Yes*** |
| ::custom2:: | Your 2nd custom field | Yes*** | Yes*** |
| ::custom3:: | Your 3rd custom field | Yes*** | Yes*** |
| ::custom4:: | Your 4th custom field | Yes*** | Yes*** |
| ::custom5:: | Your 5th custom field (and so on...) | Yes*** | Yes*** |
| ::date_of_birth:: | 1 Jan 1980 | Yes | Yes |
| ::email:: | support@churchsuite.com | Yes | Yes |
| ::first_name:: | George | Yes | Yes |
| ::full_address:: | 144 H**h St**et, N*tti*g**m, N*tts, N*9 2*E
|
Yes | Yes |
| ::last_name:: | Baker | Yes | Yes |
| ::mobile:: | 07987 654 321 | Yes | Yes
|
| ::my_link:: | URL to log in to My ChurchSuite | Yes* | No |
| ::my_registration_link::
|
URL to register for My ChurchSuite | Yes* | No |
| ::roles:: | Worship Leader | Yes** | Yes** |
| ::serving_date:: | 14-Dec-2025 | Yes** | Yes** |
| ::serving_day:: | Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Yes** | Yes** |
| ::serving_time:: | 8:00am | Yes** | Yes** |
| ::telephone:: | 0115 824 2300 | Yes | Yes |
| ::title:: | Mr | Yes | Yes |
Care should be taken when saving an email containing merge fields as a Preset email. Some merge fields only work in certain contexts.
*This merge field only works in the context of a My ChurchSuite Invitation email or My ChurchSuite Details Reminder email. Outside of this workflow, the merge field has no context.
**This merge field only works in the context of email and SMS rota reminders. Outside of a rota reminder, the merge field has no context.
***Address Book custom fields derive their merge field numbers from an internal field ID. When viewing custom fields in the Module Options, notice the merge field surfaced with the custom field name.
Using merge fields
Merge fields can be used in both email and SMS communications within ChurchSuite. When composing an email, use the Insert Content tool to select from a list of merge fields you wish to add to your email.
When composing an SMS message, you can add First name, Last name and First & last name merge fields using the Merge fields drop down list.
See the related support article Communicating through ChurchSuite for more information on using merge fields.