---
title: "Merging Data Pairs Using the NVelocity Merge Raw Step"
slug: "merging-data-pairs-using-the-nvelocity-merge-raw-step"
updated: 2025-06-17T18:21:03Z
published: 2025-06-17T18:21:03Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Merging Data Pairs Using the NVelocity Merge Raw Step

## Overview

As a way to combine **Data****Pairs**with **String**Data, users may utilize the **Custom Merge Raw [NVelocity]** step within a **Flow**. This step allows users the ability to specify both the **Template**and its **Parameters**at runtime. These Parameters are presented in the form of Data Pairs and can be mapped to the step by mapping their names into the steps Template Input. The following document demonstrates how to utilize the Custom Merge Raw [NVelocity] step in a Flow to combine a combination of Text input and two Data Pairs.

Differences between NVelocity Steps This step functions similarly to how the **Custom Merge [NVelocity]**step functions in that it allows users to Merge Data via an **NVelocity**formatted **Template**.  
  
The **NVelocity Merge Raw Step** differs from the standard **NVelocity Merge Step** in that it utilizes a different method of defining Parameters, allowing the user the ability to dictate the Parameter and Template dynamically. Additionally, defining a Template using this step does not require the use of brackets in its definition. 

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## Example

1. From a **Designer****Project**in **Decisions****Studio**, select CREATE FLOW from the **Global****Action****Bar**, then CREATE a new **Flow**.
2. From the **Flow****Designer**, navigate to **Toolbox > DATA > DATA PAIR**, attach a **Create****String****Data****Pair**step to the **Start**step.
3. Select the Create String Data Pair step to navigate to its **Properties**. Then under INPUTS, **Constant**map the desired **Name**; then****Constant map "This is a" to the **Value****Input**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-17_14h14_34.png)
4. Attach an additional Create String Data Pair step to the **Done**path of the previously added one.
5. From the Properties of the newly added step, Constant map the desired Name, then Constant map "Custom Merge step." to Value. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-17_14h15_37.png)
6. From **Toolbox > DATA > TEXT**, attach a **Custom Merge Raw [NVelocity]** step, to the Done path of the second Create String Data Pair step and the **End**step.
7. From the Properties of the Custom Merge Raw step, set **Parameters**to **Build****Array**. Then, **Select From Flow**map **CreateStringDataPair1_Output** to **Item****0**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-17_14h17_05.png)
8. From the Properties tab for the Custom Merge step, under **INPUTS > Parameters**, click ADD. Then, map **CreateStringDataPair2_Output**to **Item 1**.
9. From the **Template**Input, Constant map the desired value utilizing a combination of text input and "**$[nameofdatapair]**" to define where the Data Pairs exist in the Template. For this example, map "**$[firstDataPairName] test of the $[secondDataPairName]**" to the Template Input. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-17_14h19_22.png)
10. **Save**the Flow, then if desired close via **X**.

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## Debug

1. From the **Flow****Designer**, select the **Debug**link from the top Action bar. Then click START DEBUGGING.
2. After the **Flow**runs, select the **Custom Merge Raw [NVelocity] 1** step and navigate to **Execution 1 > View Input/Output Data**, ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-17_14h20_05.png)
3. Verify the **Output****MergedString**by comparing it against the **Input Parameter****s**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-17_14h20_43.png)
4.