> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.laposta.org/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.laposta.org/_mcp/server.

# Personalising your newsletter with variables

> Automatically insert your subscribers' name or other details into your text, subject and previewtext.

Any information you have stored in a list alongside your subscribers' email addresses can be inserted into your newsletter: first or last name, gender, city, age or hobby. Such a field is called a variable. You place it where the value should appear, and when sending, Laposta fills in the appropriate value for each subscriber.

## Inserting a variable

In the text section of the editor, you can personalise your text with any field from your list:

#### Open the text block

In the editor (step 4), click on the text block you want to edit.

#### Open Variables

Click on ‘Variables’ at the top left above the text box.

#### Select a variable

Choose the variable you want to use. For example, `{{voornaam}}` will appear in your text.

Under ‘Variables’, you will also find the ‘Special links’ group, which contains [the edit link](/waar-vind-ik-de-webversie-wijzigings-en-afmeldlink) to your subscriber's own details.

### Personalising the subject and preview text

In step 1, click on ‘Personalize’ next to the field for the subject or preview text and choose the variable you want to add.

### Personalising a ready-made newsletter

If you import a ready-made newsletter, you will see all your variables on the right-hand side in step 3. You can use them in the HTML in the same way as in the templates. When editing the HTML, you can view them at the top of the page. See also [Variables](/begrippenlijst#variable) in the glossary.

## Setting fallback text for an empty field

Not every field is filled in for every subscriber. If no value is known, Laposta displays the default value of that field. If no default value has been set, the space remains empty.

You can add a variable to your list via Subscribers → Settings → ‘Fields’. You can also enter the default value in the same place.

### Specifying different fallback text per location

In the editor and in the subject line, you can also specify the default value directly. Place a comma after the variable, followed by the desired value: `{{voornaam, user}}`. This value always takes precedence over the default value from your list.

> **Tip**
>
> Useful if you include a variable multiple times in a newsletter and do not want to show the same fallback text everywhere.

## Examples of what your subscriber sees

Suppose your list has the `voornaam` field and your newsletter starts with *Dear* followed by the ‘First name’ variable. What your subscriber reads depends on the chosen notation and what is in the field:

| In your text         | What is known                           | What your subscriber reads |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| `{{voornaam}}`       | the first name Henry                    | Dear Henry                 |
| `{{voornaam}}`       | no first name, default value `customer` | Dear customer              |
| `{{voornaam}}`       | no first name, no default value         | Dear                       |
| `{{voornaam, user}}` | the first name Ingrid                   | Dear Ingrid                |
| `{{voornaam, user}}` | no first name                           | Dear user                  |

Do you want to show or hide entire blocks per subscriber instead of filling in individual words? Then use [conditional content](/kan-ik-conditionele-inhoud-plaatsen-in-mijn-campagne).

## Related articles

#### [Creating a link with a variable](/kan-ik-in-een-link-een-relatievariabele-opnemen)

Let subscribers log in automatically or recognise them on your website when they click…

#### [Which subscriber details can you choose?](/welke-gegevens-van-mijn-relaties-voer-ik-in)

Besides the required email address, you can import all relevant data for…

#### [Creating fields for extra data](/hoe-maak-ik-extra-velden-aan-voor-mijn-lijst)

Create extra fields for your list, such as a text, numeric, date or multiple-choice field.

#### [Hiding the edit link or fields on the edit form](/hoe-kan-ik-voorkomen-dat-mijn-relaties-hun-gegevens-inzien-of-wijzigen)

Determine which details your subscribers can view and edit via the edit form, or remove…