How to insert a 'mergefield' into your document template

Purpose of mergefields

Mergefields are a feature native to Microsoft Word, and a key component of the SYNTAQ document automation process. Without mergefields matching data in the template to the online form would be impossible, so it is important to know how to use them effectively.

Inserting mergefields using our add-in (Word for PC only)

If you have already downloaded our Word add-in, you will be able to insert a mergefield with just a couple of clicks. If you haven’t, we highly recommend it. You can download the add-in here. 

To insert a mergefield using the add-in, follow these steps:

1. Click the SYNTAQ tab in Microsoft Word.
2. Click the field button on the far left of the ribbon.
3. In the ‘Field Name’ section of the pop-up window, enter the field name of a field from the online form that you want to be linked to the document; and click OK.

This mergefield will then insert the data gathered from the field in the online form into your document when a user submits a form. It is that simple.

Inserting mergefields using Microsoft Word quick-parts (Word for Mac and PC)

Currently there is no SYNTAQ add-in for Mac users, but don’t despair! You can still insert mergefields into your documents, it just takes a few extra steps.

To insert a mergefield without using the add-in, follow these steps:

1. Click the Insert tab in Microsoft Word.
2. In the Text section of the insert ribbon click ‘Quick Parts’
3. From the drop-down menu, click ‘Field’
4. In the pop-up window, select Mergefield from the list of field names on the left hand side.
5. In the ‘Field Name’ section of the pop-up window, enter the field name of a field from the online form that you want to be linked to the document; and click OK.

You can also insert a mergefield manually, by following these steps:

1. On a Mac, press ‘fn + cmd +F9’ on your keyboard (‘Ctrl + F9’ on a PC).
2. Between the curly brackets type ‘MERGEFIELD Field_Name’, where Field_Name is the field from the online form that you want linked to this place in the document.
3. Right click between the curly brackets and select ‘update field’

Note that these two methods are used to insert all merged content on systems without the SYNTAQ add-in, including Long If Statements, Repeat Sections, and List Sections. You can download a list of these frequently used mergefields here.

If you have any trouble inserting a mergefield, you can submit a request at the top of this page.