| 1. | The web page is searched for any variables. A variable is any item on the web page that is in between right parenthesis i.e. [First Name], [Last Name], [Message]. When the web page is opened, these variables are then identified.
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| 2. | If the variable is an ACT! Contact Field (like [First Name]), then it is stored internally for processing when the email is created.
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| 3. | If the variable is not an ACT! variable, then it is displayed to be edited by the user in the variables display list, as shown below.
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| 4. To edit a variable, click on the Variable listed on the Variable Display List and enter the value in the Variable Value Space.
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| Advantages of Variables
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| Variables provide incredible flexibility on sharing and using common pages to send out email. For example, in the page above, the web page has variables named [Heading] and [Message]. As shown below, by simply changing the values of the variables in the Variable Value Space, one single page can now generate a plethora of emails, each one appropriate for the occasion. All you need is the web address.
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| Saving Variable Values Into Templates
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| Now that we've established the great value of variable, we can save each variable setting into different templates. Hence, when Template 1 is selected, the variables are automatically inserted into the email when merged. The same applies to template 2 and so on...
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| In a corporate environment, all you have to do is create a common http area where web pages with Variables are stored and retrieved.
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| Inserting ACT! Variables Using Display Fields
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| When you are editing your HTML or Text file, you may want to add ACT! replacement variables.
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| 1. | Activate the Fields Display by clicking on the Tools->Display ACT Fields.
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| 2. | When the list is displayed, simply drop the ACT! variable where you want it to be replaced. ACT! variables may also be placed in the Variables Content.
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| Creating Variables
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| To create a variable, simple enclose any text string between right parenthesis i.e. [THISVARIABLE], or [mymessage]. Enter the variable into the HTML or text file and the next time the file is opened, the variable is recognized by ACT-To-Outlook 2003 Email and offered to be used in the template.
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| Reserved Variables
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| There are 3 variables that are reserved and are always present:
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| · | [Subject] – This variable is the Subject line that will appear on the outgoing email
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| · | [BCC] – This variable is any BCC you want to add to the email.
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| · | [CC] – This variable is any CC you want to add to the email.
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| All other variables can be given values that will be replaced when you generate an email. In addition, you can embed ACT! variable fields in the variables.
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