Rons Data Merge - Features

Merge types

• Text, one document: Header once, the body for every row, footer once, written to a single file.
• Text, one file per row: The template is written once for each record, numbered, into an output folder.
• HTML, one document: The same header, body, and footer split, saved as one HTML file.
• HTML, one file per row: One HTML file for each record.
• SQL Insert: One SQL file. The sample template writes an INSERT for each row, with the columns taken from the data.
• SQL Merge: One SQL file. The sample template loads the rows and emits a MERGE against a table you name. Edit the template to change the statement.
• Mail: One message per row through SMTP, Outlook, or SendGrid.
• Saved merge: A .merge file keeps the data file, templates, mappings, and settings together.

Templates

• Column fields: Insert the value of a column for the current row. Refer to a column by name or by position.
• Column loops: Walk the columns so the output follows the table. A new column in the data is picked up by the loop.
• Header, body, and footer: Single-document templates edit the three parts separately. The body repeats. The header and footer are written once.
• Text, HTML, Markdown, and SQL: Open and save templates in the format the merge expects.
• Samples: Each merge type starts with a sample you can replace.
• Insert menu: Pick a field from the current columns instead of typing the marker.
• Editing: Undo and redo, find and replace, line wrap, zoom, and format. Copy a selection as HTML or Markdown.

Preview and run

• Record preview: Move to the first, previous, next, or last row and read that record in the template.
• HTML preview: Render an HTML or Markdown template as a page. Styles are Plain, Editorial, Newsletter, Soft, and Brief.
• Test send: Mail merges can send the current record to a test address before the list is sent.
• Start and stop: Run the merge, or cancel a run that is still in progress.
• Overwrite: Choose whether an existing output file is replaced.
• Mail log: SMTP, Outlook, and SendGrid merges record what was sent.
• Messages: A message history shows what the run reported.

Email

• Two bodies: An HTML template and a plain-text template for the same message.
• SMTP: Server, port, user name, and password. Map To, From, and Subject to columns or fixed text.
• Outlook: Send through an Outlook account on this computer. Map To, CC, BCC, and Subject.
• SendGrid: Send with an API key. Map To, From, and Subject.
• Validation: The merge checks the required fields and settings before a run starts.

Source data

• Delimited text: Open CSV, PSV, TSV, TAB, and TXT, or paste a table from the clipboard.
• Data profiles: Set separators, quoting, the header row, clipboard format, and file associations. Delimiters can be detected when a file is opened.
• Encoding and region: Kept with the document, and shown in document properties.
• Grid editing: Edit cells. Rename columns. Add columns to the left, right, or end. Delete columns. Insert rows above or below, append rows, and delete rows.
• Arrange the view: Sort rows. Find text in the grid. Copy the selection, including as HTML or Markdown.
• Names the template uses: Column names and codes in the grid are the names available in the template.

The window

• Getting started: A short guide is available from the merge window.
• Locations: Open a folder, refresh it, rename or delete an item, copy its path, and reveal it in Explorer.
• Appearance: Light or dark color mode, a choice of accent, and separate fonts for the grid and the template editor.
• Commands: A command list for finding an action, with shortcuts you can edit.
• Portable: The same build can be installed or run without installation.