Syntax for alternate field, when a first field is blank

[GeorgeJ4336]

I like to address my reporting and instruction letters using nicknames, if the recipients have nicknames. The contacts module conveniently has a Nickname field, so my letter template could include something like:

Dear {Matter.Client.PrimaryContact.Nickname}:

However, many contacts do not have nicknames, so their Nickname fields are empty. It would be very nice if I could put something like:

{!{Matter.Client.PrimaryContact.First}!Matter.Client.PrimaryContact.Nickname}

in my letter template to use the Nickname field if it is not blank, but use the First field if the Nickname field is blank. I suspect this syntax would also be very handy in relation to other fields.

I realize I could go through all my contacts and, for those who don't have nicknames, copy their first names into their respective Nickname fields, but being a former software developer, I'm lazy.

Is there another way to accomplish my goal?

Thanks,
George

[support_appcoll]

Hi George and Sadiq,

Thank you for these suggestions. We have added this to our engineering list.

• AppColl Support

[ChristianS9906]

Just upvoted your original idea, Sadiq.

[GeorgeJ4336]

@SadiqA2304 That's right. I thought it sounded familiar!

[SadiqA2304]

I made this same suggestion in September: https://forum.appcoll.com/topic/128/new-field-request-contact-firstornickname/5?_=1675177027325

[ChristianS9906]

Or maybe AppColl could just introduce a new FormField called "FirstNickname" that used the Nickname if present and the First if not.

Although your approach would be more flexible in case similar substitutions are needed in other cases.