Merge Tags

Personalize your certificates with dynamic content

What are Merge Tags?
Merge tags are special placeholders in your certificate template that get automatically replaced with actual participant data when a certificate is generated. Simply add them to your Google Slides template!

💡 Pro Tip: Use in Emails Too!
Merge tags also work in custom email subjects and body text! Personalize your certificate emails through Advanced Options in the add-on sidebar.

Quick Example

In your template, you write:

This certificate is awarded to {{ '{{' }}Name{{ '}}' }} for achieving a score of {{ '{{' }}Score{{ '}}' }} on {{ '{{' }}Date{{ '}}' }}.

The participant receives:

This certificate is awarded to John Smith for achieving a score of 95% on November 10, 2025.

Available Merge Tags

2 Participant Information

{{Name}}

Full name of the participant (from first question in Form, following email collection). Also accepts: {{name}}, {{full name}}, {{NAME}}

Also works: {{name}} {{full name}} {{NAME}}

Example: John Smith

{{Email}}

Email address of the participant. Also accepts: {{email}}

Also works: {{email}}

Example: john.smith@example.com

1 Form Information

{{Course}}

Title of the Google Form (this is different than the file name of the Form). Also accepts: {{course}}, {{title}}

Also works: {{course}} {{title}}

5 Score Information

{{Score}}

The participant's score as a percent (example: 95%). Also accepts: {{score}}, {{percent}}

Also works: {{score}} {{percent}}

Example: 95%

{{RawScore}}

The participant's score in fraction format (example: 19/20). Also accepts: {{rawscore}}

Also works: {{rawscore}}
{{passing percent}}

The percent score required to pass (example: 80%)

{{points}}

The number of points the participant scored

{{points possible}}

The total number of points possible to score

2 Date & Time

{{Date}}

The date of the participant's submission (The date's format can be changed in Advanced Options). Also accepts: {{date}}

Also works: {{date}}

Example: November 10, 2025

{{month}}

The month of the participant's submission as a numeric value (example: 2 for Feb)

3 Optional Identifiers

{{other identifier}}

The first, optional "other identifier", which follows the full name

{{other identifier2}}

The second, optional "other identifier", which follows the first "other identifier"

{{other identifiers}}

A combination of all available "other identifier" tags, separated by a comma

1 Certificate Information

{{Certificate ID}}

A unique serial number for this certificate. Also accepts: {{certificate id}}, {{CertificateID}}, {{certificateid}}

Also works: {{certificate id}} {{CertificateID}} {{certificateid}}

2 Advanced Date Tags

{{date+Ny}} CertifyForms Gold & Platinum only

The date of the participant's submission plus N year(s). N can range from 1 to 5. (Example: For a submission on July 5, 2023, {{date+2y}} → July 5, 2025)

{{date+Ny(d)}} CertifyForms Gold & Platinum only

Same as {{date+Ny}}, but less one day. (Example: For a submission on July 5, 2023, {{date+2y(d)}} → July 4, 2025)

4 Additional Identifiers

{{other identifier3}} CertifyForms Gold & Platinum only

The third, optional "other identifier", which follows the second "other identifier"

{{other identifier4}} CertifyForms Gold & Platinum only

The fourth, optional "other identifier", which follows the third "other identifier"

{{other identifier5}} CertifyForms Platinum only

The fifth, optional "other identifier", which follows the fourth "other identifier"

{{other identifier6}} CertifyForms Platinum only

The sixth, optional "other identifier", which follows the fifth "other identifier"

1 QR Code

{{QR Code}} CertifyForms Platinum only

Identifies a location where a QR Code image for this certificate should be placed

How to Use Merge Tags

1

Open Your Certificate Template

Open your Google Slides certificate template that you've selected in CertifyForms.

2

Add Merge Tags to Text Boxes

Click on any text box and type the merge tag exactly as shown above, including the double curly braces.

Important: Tags are case-sensitive and must include the double curly braces {{ and }}

3

Save Your Template

Save your changes to the Google Slides template. The merge tags will be automatically replaced when certificates are generated.

Test Your Setup

Submit a test response to your Google Form to see how your certificate looks with real data!

Using Merge Tags in Emails

Personalize Your Certificate Emails

Merge tags aren't just for certificates! You can use them in your custom email subject lines and body text to create personalized email messages.

Example Email Subject:

Congratulations {{ '{{' }}Name{{ '}}' }}! Your {{ '{{' }}CourseName{{ '}}' }} Certificate

Example Email Body:

Dear {{ '{{' }}Name{{ '}}' }}, Congratulations on completing {{ '{{' }}CourseName{{ '}}' }} with a score of {{ '{{' }}Score{{ '}}' }}! Your certificate (ID: {{ '{{' }}CertificateID{{ '}}' }}) is attached. Date: {{ '{{' }}Date{{ '}}' }}

How to Set Up Custom Emails:

  1. Open your Google Form with CertifyForms add-on
  2. Click the Settings tab in the sidebar
  3. Click "Advanced Options" button
  4. Enter your custom subject and body text with merge tags
  5. Save changes

Best Practices

Do's

  • Use clear, readable fonts for your merge tags
  • Test your template with sample data before going live
  • Leave enough space for longer names and data
  • Use the copy button to ensure accuracy

Don'ts

  • Don't modify the tag names or add extra spaces
  • Don't use single curly braces {tag}
  • Don't use tags that require a higher tier than your plan
  • Don't place tags in images or shapes

Common Examples

Basic Certificate Text

This is to certify that {{ '{{' }}Name{{ '}}' }} has successfully completed
{{ '{{' }}Course{{ '}}' }} with a score of {{ '{{' }}Score{{ '}}' }}.

Certificate with Date

Awarded to {{ '{{' }}Name{{ '}}' }} on {{ '{{' }}Date{{ '}}' }}.
Certificate ID: {{ '{{' }}Certificate ID{{ '}}' }}.

Certificate with Score Details

{{ '{{' }}Name{{ '}}' }} scored {{ '{{' }}points{{ '}}' }} out of {{ '{{' }}points possible{{ '}}' }} points
({{ '{{' }}Score{{ '}}' }}), exceeding the passing score of {{ '{{' }}passing percent{{ '}}' }}.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I use a tag that doesn't have data?

If a merge tag doesn't have corresponding data (e.g., optional identifiers that weren't filled), the tag will simply be removed from the certificate, leaving that space blank.

Can I format merge tags (bold, italic, color)?

Yes! Apply any formatting to the text containing the merge tag in your Google Slides template. The formatting will be preserved when the tag is replaced with actual data.

How do I change the date format?

You can change the date format in the Advanced Options section of CertifyForms. The default format is "Month Day, Year" (e.g., November 10, 2025).

Are merge tags case-sensitive?

Most tags support multiple case variations (shown as "Also works" in the tag list). For example, both {{Name}} and {{name}} will work. However, we recommend using the primary tag shown in this documentation for consistency.

How do I use "other identifier" tags?

"Other identifier" tags allow you to add custom fields to your certificates (like Student ID, Employee Number, Department, etc.). Here's how to set them up:

Step 1: Add Questions to Your Google Form

After the email collection and name question, add short answer questions for each identifier you want:

  • Question 3: "Student ID" → becomes {{other identifier}}
  • Question 4: "Department" → becomes {{other identifier2}}
  • Question 5: "Batch" → becomes {{other identifier3}}
  • And so on, up to 6 identifiers...

Step 2: Add Tags to Your Certificate Template

In your Google Slides template, add the corresponding tags:

Student ID: {{other identifier}}
Department: {{other identifier2}}
Batch: {{other identifier3}}

Example Certificate Output:

When a participant submits:

  • Name: John Smith
  • Student ID: STU-2025-001
  • Department: Engineering
  • Batch: 2025-A

The certificate will show:

Student ID: STU-2025-001
Department: Engineering
Batch: 2025-A

Pro Tip: Use {{other identifiers}} to combine all identifier fields in one place, separated by commas.

Note: The order matters! The first non-graded question after the name becomes {{other identifier}}, the second becomes {{other identifier2}}, etc.

Ready to Get Started?

Now that you understand merge tags, you can create beautiful, personalized certificates for your participants!

Explore Templates Getting Started Guide