.MRG File Extension

Now Contact Merge Template

Developer	Now Software
Popularity	Average rating 3.5 / 5. Vote count: 10
Category	Page Layout Files
Format	.MRG
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an MRG file?

The .MRG file extension is associated with Now Contact, a contact management software. These files serve as merge templates used to integrate and format contact information for various purposes, such as generating personalized letters, emails, or other documents.

More Information.

Now Contact was introduced in the early 1990s and became popular for its robust features in managing contacts and calendars. The .MRG file was created to facilitate the mail merge process, allowing users to create customized documents by merging contact data into predefined templates. This functionality was crucial for businesses and individuals needing to send personalized communications efficiently.

Origin Of This File.

The .MRG file format originated from the Now Contact software, part of the Now Up-to-Date & Contact suite developed by Now Software. This suite was designed to offer comprehensive personal information management (PIM) solutions, focusing on contact management and calendaring.

File Structure Technical Specification.

The .MRG file is a plain text file that contains placeholders or merge fields. These fields are replaced with actual contact information during the merge process.

How to Convert the File?

Windows

Using Now Contact Software:
- Open Now Contact.
- Load the .MRG file.
- Use the mail merge function to merge the data into a new document.
- Save or export the merged document in the desired format (e.g., DOCX, PDF).
Manual Conversion:
- Open the .MRG file in a text editor like Notepad++.
- Identify and replace the merge fields with actual data manually.
- Save the edited document in your preferred format.

Linux

Using Wine:
- Install Wine from your Linux distribution’s package manager.
- Install Now Contact through Wine.
- Follow the same steps as in Windows to convert the file.
Using LibreOffice/OpenOffice:
- Open the .MRG file in a text editor (e.g., gedit).
- Copy the content and paste it into a LibreOffice Writer document.
- Manually replace merge fields with actual data.
- Save the document in a preferred format (e.g., ODT, PDF).

Mac

Using Now Contact:
- If you have an old version of Now Contact, install it.
- Open Now Contact and load the .MRG file.
- Perform the mail merge and export the document in the desired format.
Manual Conversion:
- Open the .MRG file in a text editor like TextEdit.
- Manually replace merge fields with the actual data.
- Save the file in your desired format.

Android

Remote Desktop Method:
- Use a remote desktop application like Microsoft Remote Desktop or AnyDesk to access a Windows or Mac machine with Now Contact installed.
- Convert the file as per the steps for Windows or Mac.
Text Editor:
- Open the .MRG file in a text editor app like Jota+.
- Manually replace the merge fields with actual data.
- Save the edited document in a compatible format using cloud storage services.

iOS

Remote Desktop Method:
- Use a remote desktop app like Microsoft Remote Desktop or TeamViewer to access a Windows or Mac machine with Now Contact installed.
- Convert the file as per the steps for Windows or Mac.
Text Editor:
- Open the .MRG file in a text editor app like Textastic.
- Manually replace the merge fields with actual data.
- Save the document in the preferred format using cloud storage services.

Other Platforms

For platforms like Chromebook, or other less common operating systems, remote access to a compatible machine remains the most effective method.

Remote Desktop Method:
- Use a remote desktop service to access a Windows or Mac machine with Now Contact installed.
- Follow the conversion steps for Windows or Mac.
Online Text Editors and Cloud Services:
- Upload the .MRG file to an online text editor like Google Docs.
- Replace the merge fields manually.
- Save the edited document in a common format like DOCX or PDF.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantages:

Efficiency: Automates the process of personalizing bulk communications.
Customization: Easily create templates tailored to specific needs.
Integration: Works seamlessly with Now Contact’s database.

Disadvantages:

Software Dependency: Primarily useful only within Now Contact.
Limited Compatibility: Not widely supported by other software applications.
Outdated: As Now Contact is no longer widely used, .MRG files are less relevant today.