Smart Variables
Use Smart Variables when part of your generated content should not come directly from a spreadsheet column.
Smart Variables are saved with your mail merge workflow. They are available from the Smart Variables section inside Mail Merge & Variables. The panel is currently shown in Google Docs™ and Google Slides™. In Google Sheets™, the mail merge workflow is available, but the Smart Variables panel is hidden for now.
Common Uses
Section titled “Common Uses”- Insert the same company address or legal text into every generated file.
- Add the current date or a calculated due date.
- Ask for a one-time dropdown or yes or no choice before the run starts.
- Reuse the current file title or file URL inside the output.
- Generate an AI summary paragraph from selected spreadsheet columns.
Available Variable Types
Section titled “Available Variable Types”- Fixed text: one saved value reused in every output.
- Fixed image: one Drive image reused in every output.
- Current date: the current date in the selected format.
- Calculated date: a date offset from today.
- Current file title: the active Doc or Slides title.
- Current file URL: the active Doc or Slides link.
- Dropdown choice: one selected option reused for the current run.
- Yes or no clause: one of two saved text blocks chosen before the run.
- AI report paragraph: AI-generated text based on selected sheet columns and your prompt.
Add a Smart Variable
Section titled “Add a Smart Variable”- Open Mail Merge & Variables in Docs or Slides.
- Expand the Smart Variables section.
- Add a new variable and choose the variable type.
- Enter the variable name and complete the type-specific fields.
- Save the variable.
- Copy the generated tag, such as
{$CompanyAddress}or{$IssueDate}. - Paste that tag into your Doc or Slides template.
- Run a preview to confirm the resolved value looks correct.
Copy and Apply Actions
Section titled “Copy and Apply Actions”- Copy copies the literal tag, such as
{$CompanyAddress}. - Apply resolves the variable immediately in the active file so you can test the output quickly.
- Docs: supports text variables and image insertion.
- Slides: supports text variables.
- Sheets: does not currently expose Smart Variable apply actions.
Notes for AI Report Paragraphs
Section titled “Notes for AI Report Paragraphs”- Select the mail merge source spreadsheet first.
- Choose the source sheet and the columns the AI should use.
- Write a short instruction prompt for the paragraph you want.
- Generate a preview before the full run so you can check the tone, length, and structure.
Related Links
Section titled “Related Links” Mail Merge Return to the main mail merge workflow for choosing the source, analyzing tags, and generating output files.
Mail Merge & Variables Go back to the feature overview page.