Merge Fields With Microsoft Templates (DOCX, PPTX, XLSX)

Learn how to add merge fields to DOCX templates and use the square-bracket syntax required in Microsoft Word files.

Inserting Merge Fields in DOCX Templates

Merge fields pull live Salesforce data into a DOCX template.

They act as placeholders. At generation time, S-Docs replaces them with record values.

What a DOCX merge field looks like

Use this pattern:

[{{!Object.Field}}]

Examples:

[{{!Opportunity.Name}}]
[{{!Opportunity.Account.Name}}]
[{{!Contact.Email}}]

DOCX templates require square brackets around the merge field.

DOCX also uses inline formatting syntax inside the field.

How to add a merge field in a DOCX template

1

Choose the record value

Identify the object and field you want to merge.

Example: Opportunity.Name

2

Insert the merge field in Word

Place your cursor where the value should appear.

Then insert or type the DOCX merge field syntax:

[{{!Opportunity.Name}}]

3

Add formatting if needed

Formatting stays inside the merge field.

Example:

[{{!Opportunity.Amount #,###.##}}]

4

Upload and test

Upload the .docx file to the template.

Generate a document from a real record.

Confirm the value and formatting are correct.

Quick examples

Plain text field

[{{!Account.Name}}]

Parent relationship field

[{{!Opportunity.Account.Name}}]

Number formatting

[{{!Opportunity.Amount #,###.##}}]

Date formatting

[{{!Opportunity.CloseDate MM/dd/yyyy}}]

Merge field inside a conditional block

[<!--RENDER='{{!Opportunity.StageName}}' == 'Closed Won' -->]
  Closed amount: [{{!Opportunity.Amount #,###.##}}]
[<!--ENDRENDER-->]

Quick reference: common DOCX merge field patterns

This is a practical reference for the patterns you will use most.

Standard field output

Use square brackets around the field.

[{{!Object.Field}}]
[{{!Opportunity.Account.Name}}]

Number formatting

Apply the format inside the field.

[{{!Opportunity.Amount #,###.##}}]
[{{!Opportunity.Amount $#,###.00}}]

Date formatting

Apply the date pattern inside the field.

[{{!Opportunity.CloseDate MM/dd/yyyy}}]
[{{!Opportunity.CreatedDate yyyy-MM-dd}}]

Replace characters or values

Use replaceAll inside the field.

[{{!Contact.LastName replaceAll=\"',\\\\'\"}}]

Use #comma# if a replacement value must contain a comma.

Named query output

Wrap the output field in square brackets.

[{{!TopItem.Name}}]
[{{!TopItem.TotalPrice #,###.##}}]

Conditional output

Wrap both RENDER tags in square brackets.

[<!--RENDER='{{!Contact.Phone}}' != 'NULL' -->]
  Phone: [{{!Contact.Phone}}]
[<!--ENDRENDER-->]

Common issues

• Merge field prints as text because the square brackets are missing
• Field path is wrong or incomplete
• replaceAll syntax is malformed
• Query output field is not wrapped in square brackets
• Word proofreading markup breaks generation

If a DOCX file fails to generate, clear Word spelling and grammar marks before upload.

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