Summary
The Document Editor can use bookmarked images as merge fields so that practices can pull the patient images, like an image series or single images, like a pano or ceph. This article reviews how to accomplish that and covers how to edit bookmarked images in the Document Editor.
How to Use Merge Images in Mail Merge
Merge Images work similarly to Merge Fields by pulling patient-specific images into a document. You can find them under Mail Merge > Insert > Images, where you select the appropriate image or image series. However, Merge Image placeholders behave differently than text fields and can be confusing.
Here is how to work with them efficiently:
1. Placeholder Sizing is Not Exact
Merge Image placeholders do not reflect a 1:1 size ratio with the final merged image. Staff may think formatting looks correct in the template, only to see it appear differently after merging. The solution is to adjust the size of the placeholder in the template, then check the merged result. This may require trial and error, as there is no automatic resizing. Image size must be flexible to meet different client needs.
2. Use Bookmarks to Fix Merge Errors
If a merge image fails to display correctly or just shows the placeholder, right-click the image in the Document Editor and select "Bookmark" from the dropdown. A list of bookmarks will appear. If the bookmark for the image is missing or does not follow Cloud 9 merge formatting, delete the placeholder and re-insert the merge image using Mail Merge > Insert > Images.
2b. Once the desired image is selected, the screen will revert to the Document Editor screen, and the new bookmark will appear:
3. Use Tables for Layout and Positioning
Most merged images are intended to appear off to the side or within a specific layout. To do this, insert a table using Insert > Table and choose the number of columns and rows needed. Place the merge image inside a table cell, just like text. Once positioned correctly, make the table gridlines invisible for a clean appearance. Please see the series of screenshots below:
Once you have selected OK in the screen above, this is the resulting table:
From this screen, click on the top, leftmost cell. Be sure to select the Merge Fields Tab. Click General > Images > Images:
From there, you should see a window titled Insert Image Merge Field. There you will select Series Type, and then Image Type from the drop down. For this article, the Standard 8 M will be used:
*Note: This will need to be done for each image that you wish to enter into the table. Once you have the images entered into the table, you will see something like this:
From here, you can remove the table gridlines: Click the Design Tab at the top. Click the Borders dropdown menu. Select No Border. This will remove the table gridlines.
Summary
- Adjust image placeholders in the template and check results after merging.
- If a merge fails, check bookmarks and re-insert the image if needed.
- Use tables to control image layout and hide gridlines for a polished look.
As always, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Cloud 9 Support by emailing us at cloud9support@planetdds.com, or chatting us online using the chat bubble on the lower right at https://cloud9support.planetdds.com/hc/en-us, or giving us a call during our business hours of 8:00 AM EST to 8:00 PM EST at the 1.800.394.6050 option 2.