How Do I Create and Use Custom Merge Fields?
Custom Merge Fields allow you to store your own information on a contact and automatically include that information in your messages.
For example, you could create a Realtor Name, Buyer Budget, or Lead Source field and use that information in your SMS, emails, letters, and other messages.
Once you create a custom field, you can add values manually, import them through a CSV, or automatically populate them through a CRM or Zapier connection.
Step 1: Create Your Custom Field
Go to Settings > Custom Fields.
Under Custom Merge Fields, enter:
Key
The Key is used to create your merge field.
For example:
REALTOR_NAME
Agent Legend will create the merge tag:
[[CUSTOM_REALTOR_NAME]]
The Key is automatically formatted using uppercase letters, numbers, and underscores.
Label
The Label is the name you'll see throughout Agent Legend.
For example:
Realtor Name
When you're finished, click Add Field.
Your new custom field is now available throughout Agent Legend.
Important: The Key cannot be changed after the field is created. If you need a different Key, you'll need to create a new custom field.
Step 2: Add Values to Your Contacts
Once you've created a custom field, you can add information to your contacts in several ways.
Add a Value Manually
Open a contact and go to the Details tab.
Find the Custom Fields section and enter the value you'd like to save.
For example:
Realtor Name: Jane Smith
The value is saved to that individual contact.
Import Values with a CSV
You can also populate custom fields when importing contacts through a CSV.
During the CSV import, you'll see your custom fields in the Map To dropdown.
Select the appropriate custom field for your spreadsheet column, then complete the import.
Automatically Add Values from an Integration
You can also have Agent Legend automatically populate a custom field when a new lead comes in from an integration.
Go to:
Settings > Custom Fields > Integration Field Mapping
Select the:
- Integration — Choose the source sending the information. Use All integrations for Zapier.
- Incoming Field — Enter the exact field name being sent by the integration.
- Custom Field — Select the Agent Legend custom field where you'd like to store the information.
Then click Add Mapping.
Important: The Incoming Field needs to match the field name being sent by your integration exactly.
For example, if your Zapier connection sends a field called agent_name , you would enter agent_name as the Incoming Field and map it to your Realtor Name custom field.
Custom field mappings automatically populate new incoming leads. They do not update contacts that already exist.
Step 3: Use Your Custom Field in a Message
Once your custom field has been created, you can use it in your messages.
Open any message editor and click the Merge Tag picker.
Your custom fields will appear at the bottom of the list using the Labels you created.
Select the field you want to use, and Agent Legend will insert the appropriate merge tag.
For example:
Hi [[CUSTOM_REALTOR_NAME]],
When the message is sent, Agent Legend will replace the merge tag with the value stored on that contact.
You can also add fallback text if a contact doesn't have a value:
[[CUSTOM_REALTOR_NAME|your agent]]
If the contact doesn't have a Realtor Name, the message will use "your agent" instead.
Best Practices
Keep your field names simple.
Use clear names such as Realtor Name, Buyer Budget, Lead Source, or Property Type.
Make sure your integration field matches exactly.
When setting up a CRM or Zapier mapping, the Incoming Field must match the field name being sent.
Test your mapping.
After setting up an integration, send a test lead and check the contact's Details > Custom Fields section to make sure the value was added correctly.
Use fallback text when appropriate.
If some contacts may not have a value, consider adding fallback text to your merge tag so your message still reads naturally.
Be careful when deleting fields.
Deleting a custom field also deletes the stored values for that field from your contacts, and this cannot be undone.
That's It!
Custom Merge Fields give you more flexibility to personalize your messages with information that's unique to your business and your contacts.
Create your field, add or map your values, and then select it from the Merge Tag picker whenever you want to use it in a message.