# Use merge tags with fallbacks

> Give merge tags a fallback word so an empty field never leaves an awkward gap in your email.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/use-merge-tags-with-fallbacks
Updated: 2026-06-10

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A fallback is the word a merge tag uses when a contact has no data in that field - so "Hello [firstname]" never goes out as an awkward "Hello ,". It's a small touch that keeps every email reading naturally. This guide covers the syntax.

## The syntax

Put the fallback after a comma, inside the brackets:

```
[field name,fallback]
```

The part before the comma is the field; the part after is what shows if that field is empty.

## Examples

`[firstname,friend]` reads as either:

- **Hello Julia,** (if there's a first name), or
- **Hello friend** (if there isn't).

`[firstname,dear customer]` reads as either **Hello Alex,** or **Hello dear customer,**.

The more you use fallbacks, the more polished your campaigns feel, whatever the state of your data.

## Troubleshooting

**The fallback doesn't show on empty fields** - check a comma separates the field and fallback, with no stray spaces, and that the brackets are closed.

**The wrong fallback shows** - check the field name's spelling (case-sensitive), and that the field isn't secretly filled with a space.

**Commas in the fallback cause trouble** - the comma is the separator, so avoid commas in fallback text; use other punctuation instead.

**Works in preview but not when sent** - the data may have changed between preview and send, or an import was still finishing. Test on a small segment first.

For the full tag reference, see **[Add merge tags to a campaign](/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/add-merge-tags-to-a-campaign)**. If a fallback won't fire, [open a support ticket](/knowledgebase/getting-started/how-to-create-a-support-ticket-in-mykualo).

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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/use-merge-tags-with-fallbacks · © Kualo Ltd._