# Resolve email template merge field sync errors Source: https://support.storeconnect.com/articles/resolve-email-template-sync-errors · Last modified 21 August 2026 ## Symptoms You see a sync error in the [sync error tool](sync-error-tool) with the following pattern: - **EMAIL_TEMPLATE_MERGEFIELD_ERROR** — "No such column 'InformalName' on entity 'Contact'." :::tip If you see **EMAIL_ADDRESS_BOUNCED** or **INVALID_EMAIL_ADDRESS**, that is a separate issue. See [resolve email bounce sync errors](resolve-email-bounce-sync-errors). ::: ## Cause Some Salesforce orgs have customized email templates that use merge fields which do not exist on the Contact object in the Visualforce email template context. For example, `{!recipient.FirstName}` or `{!recipient.InformalName}` are not accessible in VF templates because `recipient` refers to the Contact object and standard fields cannot be accessed directly this way. StoreConnect's managed package includes a custom formula field **`s_c__First_Name__c`** on the Contact object that resolves this issue. This field maps to the standard `FirstName` field and is designed specifically for use in Visualforce email templates. All default StoreConnect email templates already use `{!recipient.s_c__First_Name__c}` for contact emails. If your org has customized email templates that still use `{!recipient.FirstName}` or `{!recipient.InformalName}`, they will fail with a merge field error during sync. ## Resolution ### If using default StoreConnect templates Reset to the managed package default template. The default templates already use the correct `{!recipient.First_Name__c}` merge field and should not produce this error. ### If using customized templates #### Contact email templates 1. Open the email template in Salesforce. 2. Find any occurrence of `{!recipient.FirstName}` or `{!recipient.InformalName}`. 3. Replace it with **`{!recipient.s_c__First_Name__c}`**. 4. Save the template. `First_Name__c` is a formula field already included in the StoreConnect managed package. It maps to the standard `FirstName` field and requires no additional setup. #### Order email templates Order email templates use the `relatedTo` object (the Order) rather than `recipient` (the Contact), so the correct merge field syntax is different. 1. Open the email template in Salesforce. 2. Find any occurrence of `{!recipient.FirstName}` or `{!recipient.InformalName}`. 3. Replace it with **`{!relatedTo.BillToContact.FirstName}`**. 4. Save the template. **Alternative (both types):** Clone the affected template, make the correction in the clone, and update the StoreConnect Store record to use the new template. ## Verification 1. Confirm the sync error no longer appears in the [sync error tool](sync-error-tool). 2. Send a test email using the corrected template to confirm it renders correctly. 3. Place a test order to confirm future orders sync and send emails without issues. ## Prevention - **When customizing contact email templates**, always use `{!recipient.s_c__First_Name__c}` instead of `{!recipient.FirstName}` or `{!recipient.InformalName}`. - **When customizing order email templates**, always use `{!relatedTo.BillToContact.FirstName}` instead of `{!recipient.FirstName}` or `{!recipient.InformalName}`. - **Audit email templates** after org migrations or package updates for merge fields that may not exist in the new environment. ## Related issues - [Manage sync errors](sync-error-tool) - [Resolve email bounce sync errors](resolve-email-bounce-sync-errors) - [Setting up StoreConnect emails](setting-up-storeconnect-emails) - [How to find and resolve sync errors](how-to-find-and-resolve-sync-errors) --- ## Follow StoreConnect - [Email Newsletter](https://getstoreconnect.com/c/lp-newsletter) - [LinkedIn Newsletter](https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444956928444862464) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCngKdP2x8l1wcbAKW3tvU8g) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/storeconnect) - [X / Twitter](https://x.com/storeconnecthq) ## Popular Links - [Partners](https://getstoreconnect.com/partners) - [News](https://getstoreconnect.com/articles/news) - [Events](https://getstoreconnect.com/articles/events) - [Feature Comparison](https://getstoreconnect.com/how-we-compare) - [Download a free trial](https://appexchange.salesforce.com/appxListingDetail?listingId=a0N3A00000FMkeKUAT) - [Book a Demo](https://getstoreconnect.com/contact) ## Documentation - [Help documentation](https://support.storeconnect.com/help-documentation) - [AI agents](https://support.storeconnect.com/ai) - [Videos & tutorials](https://support.storeconnect.com/videos-tutorials) - [Developer reference](https://support.storeconnect.com/developer-reference) - [Release notes](https://support.storeconnect.com/release-notes) - [Troubleshooting](https://support.storeconnect.com/troubleshooting) - [Trust Center](https://trust.getstoreconnect.com/) - [Status Page](https://status.storeconnect.com/) ## Contact - info@getstoreconnect.com - US +1 415 745 3230 - AUS +61 2 8365 2308 100 S Ashley Dr, Suite 600-2461 Tampa FL 33602-600 USA Level 22, Sydney Place 180 George Street Sydney, NSW, 2000, AUS --- StoreConnect Support — https://support.storeconnect.com/articles/resolve-email-template-sync-errors