Introduction to Xmerge

Xmerge is the term used in Xplan to describe the syntax or code that programmers use in merge documents and emails.

The primary benefit of Xmerge is its ability to personalise communications and dynamically change reporting output based on various services you offer, the advice you are giving or the nature of the client being addressed. Clever coding ensures that you communicate in a way that aligns specifically to the client situation and has minimal editing to do once it has merged.

Xmerge coding is based on the Python programming language. Python is considered one of the easiest programming languages to learn the basics of. Python has a simple syntax similar to the English language.

For this reason, basic coding is a skill that most practice staff members can learn. Coding email templates, letter and note templates are quite within the abilities of most people to code. However, as complexity and automation needs grow, these functions rely on a more complex understanding of Python. Most practices realise that a professional coder is needed to build out their more complex advice documents.

Let's look at some simple Python Xmerge code for an adviser's signature. This could be used in an SoA or maybe in an email template. You will notice that coding is being used to link to the adviser sig image stored in XPLAN and is also controlling the size of the image. Bold Code merges out as bold. You will also notice we have included the adviser qualifications and email details.

Yours sincerely

<:if $client.client_adviser.signature:>

<:=$client.client_adviser.signature(width=’4.4cm’, height=’2cm’):>

<:end:>

<:=getAdviserName:> - <:=getAdviserQualifications:>

<:=getAdviserJobTitle:>

<:=getAdviserEmail:>

> The result