Merge tags in Messages XR automated attendance messages allow personalized data — like student name, absence dates, and attendance reason codes — to be inserted automatically into each message. This customization makes attendance alerts more informative and relevant for each family.
💡Quick answers
- What are merge tags used for in automated attendance messages? Inserting personalized data automatically — such as student name, absence date, period, and attendance description — so each recipient sees a message specific to their child.
- Where do you insert merge tags in an automated attendance message? In the message text area, click the Merge Tag button to see available tags specific to attendance data, then click to insert the placeholder into your message text.
- Can custom attendance codes and descriptions be included as merge tags? Yes; attendance descriptions and reason codes from your integration can be configured as merge tags so families receive the exact terminology your school uses.
A merge tag is a placeholder or variable that represents a piece of data from a specific source, allowing you to customize your messaging and keep readers more engaged. This article is specific to the use of merge tags in the Automated Messages feature within Messages XR.
In this article
- Example attendance alert merge tags
- Place merge tags into Message Content
- Copy and paste sample automated messages
Automated Messages is in the early adopter phase as a Messages XR add-on product. Contact your Client Success Manager or email clientsuccess@finalsite.com to learn more about how to get started.
Example attendance alert merge tags
- %attendancedate% pulls in the date of the attendance alert in question.
- %attendancecode% and %attendancedescription% are pulled directly from the Attendance Category Codes set first during integration and added into the area by clicking the pencil in the top of the automated messages window.
- %locationphonenumber% and %locationemail% will allow you to insert your contact info into the messages so that families may excuse an absence or ask questions regarding the notification they received.
- %locationname% can be added to the Subject Line to increase deliverability and open rates so that your community knows where the alert is coming from.
- %parentfirstname% and %parentlastname% can be used in the salutation of the automated message in the Message Content.
- %studentfirstname% and %studentlastname% added into the opening line of the Message Content provides clarity on who the alert is about.
Place merge tags into Message Content
When merge tags are strategically placed into the Message Content area of an automated message, data is pulled in from another source to populate into a message, providing personalization and specifics that are relevant to the recipient.
Copy and paste sample automated messages
Here are some samples of attendance alert message content containing merge tags so that you can copy and paste to use in your messages as you get started.
Dear %parentfirstname%,
It appears that %studentfirstname% was %attendancedescription% from school on %attendancedate%. We would like to help you and your student in any way we can to alleviate this attendance concern.
We encourage you to call the attendance secretary of %locationname% at %locationphonenumber% to excuse this absence or to address any questions you may have. We are eager to help your student in any way we can.
Thank you,
%locationname% Front Office
Dear %parentfirstname%,
Your student %studentfirstname% was absent from school on %attendancedate%.
Please call the front office at %locationphonenumber% or email us at %locationemail% to confirm this absence with the front office.
Thank you,
%locationname% Front Office
%studentfirstname% %studentlastname% was %attendancedescription% on %attendancedate%. Please contact %locationphonenumber% with questions. (154/160 characters)
Your student %studentfirstname% was %attendancedescription% on %attendancedate%. Please contact us at %locationphonenumber% with any questions or concerns.
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