---
title: "Using the {get} Merge Tags with [gvlogic] to display a person’s name in a Custom Content widget"
date: 2026-04-23
author: "GravityKit"
link: "https://www.gravitykit.com/docs/gravityview/merge-tags/using-the-get-merge-tags-with-gvlogic-to-display-a-persons-name-in-a-custom-content-widget/"
---

This walk-through will show you how to use [{get} Merge Tags](https://www.gravitykit.com/docs/gravityview/merge-tags/the-get-merge-tag/) together with the [ shortcode](https://www.gravitykit.com/docs/gravityview/shortcodes/gvlogic-shortcode/).

### Here's a quick demonstration

If you learn better with video, here's a quick walk-through:

https://vimeo.com/159309541 

## Add a Custom Content widget

In the Widget area, click "+ Add Widget"

![The Add Widget button](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/add-a-custom-content-widget.png?1444882828)
*Then click the Custom Content widget*![The Custom Content widget in the widget list](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/c40eca28-2fa6-4b67-b4bc-fe9dcf10bed6.png?1444882830)
*and click the gear icon to configure the Widget settings*![The gear icon next to the Custom Content widget label](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2caa9f89-d780-41ad-a476-42ec2e4b5ded.png?1444882830)

## Add the following content to the widget:

```
[gvlogic if="{get:first-name}" isnot=""]
  Hi, {get:first-name}! Welcome to my View!
[else]
  Welcome to my View!
[/gvlogic]
```

```
[gvlogic if="{get:first-name}" isnot=""]
  Hi, {get:first-name}! Welcome to my View!
[else]
  Welcome to my View!
[/gvlogic]
```

**What will this do?**

If a person's first name is passed in the URL using `?first-name`, it will show the person's name in the heading. If `?first-name` is not set or is empty, it will show a different heading.

![the [gvlogic] shortcode inside the Custom Content text editor](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/add-the-following-content-to-the-widget-.png?1444882831)

## Update the View

Then visit the new View on your site.

![The Update button in the View editor](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/update-the-view.png?1444882832)

## What is visible when there is nothing passed in the URL

The `[else]` value is used when the `{get}` value isn't matched.

![The browser address bar](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/what-is-visible-when-there-is-nothing-passed-in-the-url.png?1444882833)

## When URL parameters are passed

`?first-name=Floaty` content the URL triggers the `{get:first-name}` Merge Tag.

Let's look at the `[gvlogic]` shortcode we added to the Custom Content widget. It says if `{get:first-name}` is not empty, show the following HTML content: `Hi, {get:first-name}! Welcome to my View!`.

The `{get:first-name}` content is then replaced with the value passed in the URL: Floaty!

![Hi Floaty, welcome to my View](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/when-url-parameters-are-passed.png?1444882834)