Uploading to a Custom Data Extension

In addition to uploading data directly to a standard data extension, the Enterprise CRM allows uploading to a custom data extention using Convergence Cloud List uploader. You might want to personalize an email with data other than first name, last name, or email.

In the example below, let's imagine that you are hosting an event and will be sending registration confirmations. Registration includes a tshirt for each participant and during registration they will select their shirt size. Using this method, you could set up a data extension to allow you to send them an email confirming registration and also include the shirt size they selected. 

Create the Data Extension (Marketing Cloud)

You must create create the the Data Extension in your Business Unit before uploading. For basic instructions, you can go to the document with steps for Creating a Data Extension.

The general settings for this data extension must be as follows:

• Type: Standard
• Used for Sending: Yes
• Subscriber Relationship: Subscriber Key relates to Subscribers on Subscriber Key

Now let's look at some example fields for a custom data extension. In this example, we're going to use ShirtSize as the custom field.

Example Fields

Subscriber Key, First Name, Last Name, & Email are required. In this example, ShirtSize is the custom field you will be uploading.

You may add additional custom fields as you wish, such as ShirtColor.

Field names must match your CSV exactly.

Format Your CSV File (Custom Upload Only)

Custom uploads require two header rows.

• Row 1: CRM Fields
• Row 2: Marketing Cloud Custom DE Field Mapping
• Row 3+: Data to be uploaded

As you can see here, the first row contains the CRM API names, and the second row has ShirtSize for the custom data in the data extension. 

You can download an example file similar to the above example by clicking here.

Uploading with Convergence Cloud List Uploader

To populate the Custom Data Extension, you need to use List Uploader. You can find these instructions here. You will need to be logged into the KnowledgeBase to view this article.

There are certain rules that the file you upload need to be constrained to. They are as follows:

• Must be .csv
• Comma-delimited
• Excel default CSV export is fine
• Blank fields allowed
• Under 40 MB

 Common Errors

• Missing second header row
• Field names do not exactly match DE
• File not saved as .csv