A merge field is a placeholder to tell the software where to insert data in a document. Merge fields correspond with the columns/fields on a grid. For example, when creating an acknowledgement letter for a transaction you will create a Mail Merge Gift Template and insert merge fields like {MERGEFIELD Date\@"MM/DD/YY} into the body of the letter to personalize it with the gift date for that specific constituent. 

Merge fields are used in template letters and emails that are generated in the software including email marketing templates, thank you emails, direct emails, and auto-reminders.

Merge fields that contain a number, like Amount, can be customized to show as a currency. By default, any data field that is a number will display in a ##.#### format (100.0000). You can right click on the merge field and select Format as currency to change the display to $#.## ($100.00). Merge fields that contain date can also be customized to change the date from the standard MM/DD/YY format (08/23/205) to the long format of MMMM/DD/YY (August 23, 2025). You can right click on the fields and choose the format desired.

For letter template, there is a merge field for "Today's Date" which will always incorporate the current date.