First name personalization token not working in preview or test email

[LilieGia]

I am trying to use the personalization token for the First Name. Unfortunately, the "First Name" personalization token isn't working. I added it following the instructions. I also checked an older email sent last year; it seems that it wasn't working either.

The preview just shows "Hi [blank space]" and the test email to my address as well.

Could you advise on solutions?

Thanks

Lilie

[LilieGia]

To complete what I said earlier, here is a screenshot of the HTML version

and the preview:

[AdamLPW · Accepted solution]

Hi @LilieGia,

You MAY not have a problem here...

Inserting personalisation tokens in test emails is optional:

When you sent your test email, did you choose an email address in the second box here ("Receive email as specific contact")?

If you don't, you won't see personalisation tokens used in your test email.

[janetheorem]

Hey Adam!  I have tried and tried to do this and it is still not working.  Any other options on what I may be doing wrong?

[LilieGia]

Hi @AdamLPW 

Thank you so much, this is indeed working! 

It's weird though that it's not showing by default, I would vote for changing this. 

Have a great day, Lilie

[jonchim]

Hi @LilieGia 

In the CRM, I'm assuming you have a first name filled out for your contact record?

And is there a global default value set to that first name token?

[LilieGia]

Hi Jonchim,

Yes, first names in my list are all filled, and adding a default value didn't change anything, except that I only get the default value instead of a blank field!

In addition, I have tried to use the contact last name, and this one works perfectly well.

Any ideas?

Many thanks, Aurélie