Conditional and Variable Merge Codes

Generic Variable Merges

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What are they?

Generic Variable Merges codes are a powerful feature. It gives designers and front-end developers an unprecedented amount of control for different conditions.

Source

Where are they used?

They can be used on any page that allows Custom HTML (currently not available in emails).

How do you use them?

There are 3 merge codes that you can use, but 2 are the Primary ones.

• Use if to specify a block of code to be executed, if a specified condition is true
• Use else to specify a block of code to be executed, if the same condition is false

Primary:

1. ##SET[YourVariableName=Value]## - Creates a Variable
2. ##IF[YourVariableName=Value]## Show if True ##ELSE## Show if False ##ENDIF## - Creates the condition for your variable, and what happens when the condition is met.
   

Secondary:

1. ##GENERICVARIABLES## - For testing purposes, you can output all of your generic variables

Note: Generic Variables do not work with capital letters. Please keep all variables names lowercase.

Examples:

1. Let's say you wanted to display a certain image or special text or links on the Product Details page if the product was by a certain manufacturer. Here's the process...

1. Create your variable... ##SET[MfgIs=Value]##
   • MfgIs is only an example, it can be almost any string  you want.

1. Determine the value that the variable needs to be... ##SET[MfgIs=##MFGNAME##]##
   • Notice how we used another merge code to set the variable. This means that MfgIs will always be whatever the manufacturer name is of the product being viewed on the Product Details page. 
   • NOTE: When using Merge codes as values, you can only use merge codes that normally work on that page. (ie: $$PRICE$$ will not work on the home page if no products are displayed on that page.)
2. Decide when something should happen.
   
   • ##IF[MfgIs=Nike]##...
   • We used Nike as our manufacturer. Now, any products that are produced by Nike will trigger the special content.
   • NOTE: This value is CASE SENSITIVE. Nike is not the same as NIKE or the same as NIke. Ensure the value you use is EXACTLY what is in the system for the manufacturer.

Here's what your finished code will look like...

Part 1... ##SET[MfgIs=##MFGNAME##]## (This is normally placed before the If function.

Part 2... ##IF[MfgIs=Nike]## <your html code, image, banner, special comments, etc that you want displayed if the condition is met. > ##ELSE## <normally blank, but could include whatever you want if, in this case, the Manufacturer is NOT Nike AmeriCommerce Online Stores > ##ENDIF## <--- This is the closer and MUST be present. Your site may break if it is not placed correctly.


NOTE: Part 2 is placed wherever you want the special content to show up.