MergelineHow do I add merge tags like first name to a Gmail email?
Updated October 29, 2026
Gmail’s plain compose window has no merge tags. With Google’s built-in mail merge you type @firstname and pick it from the list. In Mergeline you type {{FirstName}}, or {{FirstName|there}} to fall back to “there” when the name is missing. The tag pulls from the column with the same name in your list.
Syntax by tool
| Tool | First name tag | Fallback for empty cells |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail built-in mail merge | @firstname | Not offered on the help page |
| Mergeline | {{FirstName}} | {{FirstName|there}} |
Google’s mail merge supports @firstname, @lastname, @fullname and @email, plus your sheet’s columns. It does not work in subject lines or inside linked text. Gmail templates, the saved replies feature, have no tags at all, which is why people on Reddit keep asking how to add a first name to them.
Why fallbacks matter
Real lists have gaps. Without a fallback, an empty name turns “Hi Jane,” into “Hi ,” and the email looks broken. A fallback fills the gap with a word that still reads well. Pick one that fits your tone: “there”, “friend” or the team name.
Mergeline warns you when a tag has no matching column and no fallback, so you catch it before anything is sent.
Common mistakes
- Names in all caps, like JANE. Fix them in the sheet with a formula such as PROPER before you import.
- Full names in one column. Split them so “Hi Jane Doe” becomes “Hi Jane”.
- Curly quotes or extra spaces inside the braces. Type tags by hand or insert them from the tag list.
A quick test before sending
Add yourself as the first row with your real first name, and a second test row with the name left blank. Send to both. If one reads “Hi Jane,” and the other reads “Hi there,”, your tags and fallback work. If either shows the raw tag, the column name does not match. In Mergeline, the preview and the missing-tag check catch this before you send anything.
Read the full guide: Merge tags and fallbacks
Related answers
Sources
- Google: Send personalized emails with mail merge in Gmail
- r/GMail: adding first name to Gmail templates
Facts checked October 29, 2026. Google and other vendors change their limits and prices, so check the source before you rely on a number.
Mergeline does this from your own Gmail. Free for 60 emails a day with merge tags and no branding. Pro is $12 a month or $99 a year for follow-ups, scheduling and attachments.