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Personalizing messages with variables

Personalizing messages with variables

Variables (also called merge fields) let you write one message that fills in details automatically for each conversation — the contact's name, your location name, your next opening time, and more. They work in Shortcuts, Keywords, and Auto Replies.

Last updated on 08 Sept, 2026

Available variables

Variable

Fills in with

{{first_name}}

The contact's first name

{{last_name}}

The contact's last name

{{profile_name}}

Your location (profile) name

{{business_name}}

Your business name

{{opens_at}}

Your next opening time — for example, "8 AM tomorrow" — based on the business hours in your Auto Replies schedule

How to add a variable

Type the variable into your message exactly as shown, including the double curly braces:

Hi {{first_name}}, thanks for reaching out to {{business_name}}!

The Shortcuts, Keywords, and Auto Replies screens list the available variables right above the message field so you don't have to remember them.

Type variables in lowercase with the exact spelling shown. {{First_Name}} or {{firstname}} won't be recognized and will send as-is.

Where variables work, and when they fill in

  • Shortcuts — filled in the moment you insert the shortcut into the message box, using the contact and location for the conversation you have open. You see the finished text and can edit it before sending.

  • Keywords — filled in when the auto-reply goes out, using the contact who texted your keyword.

  • Auto Replies — filled in when the business-hours or after-hours reply is sent.

When a value is missing

  • If a contact has no first or last name saved, that variable is simply left out and the spacing and punctuation around it are cleaned up. Hi {{first_name}}, thanks! becomes Hi, thanks!.

  • {{opens_at}} needs your business hours set under Auto Replies and your time zone set under Settings > Profiles. If those aren't set up, {{opens_at}} can't be filled in.

Tips

  • To preview how a message will read, insert a shortcut into a real conversation, or send yourself a test message.

  • Shortcut messages have a 500-character limit — the same limit applies once variables are filled in.

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