# Import activities, file formats and encryption

*Marketing Cloud Engagement Developer Study Guide · Data Management · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-engagement-developer/data-management/import-activities-file-formats-and-encryption*

How an import definition finds, reads and writes a file: naming patterns, delimiters, qualifiers, encoding and mapping, the File Transfer and Convert XML steps that prepare encrypted, compressed or XML files, and the update types and run checks that decide what lands in the data extension.

- Certification: Salesforce Marketing Cloud Engagement Developer
- Exam section: Data Management
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-engagement-developer

**Official exam objective:**

> Configure import activity using various file formats within Marketing Cloud.

## What the exam expects

- Write an import file naming pattern that matches dated files, and tell it apart from a file drop automation's filename pattern.
- Pick the delimiter, text qualifier, encoding and mapping that make a delimited file load into the right columns.
- Add the preparation step an encrypted, compressed or XML file needs before an import can read it.
- Choose the update type and the run checks (file age, last import, blank file, bad data) that protect a scheduled import.
- Know what a Salesforce Objects & Reports import creates and what can't change afterwards.
- Key terms: **import definition** (the saved settings an import activity reuses on every run); **file naming pattern** (the name, optionally with date strings, the import looks for); **text qualifier** (the character that keeps a delimiter inside a value); **Manage File** (the File Transfer action that unzips or decrypts); **Convert XML** (the data extract type that turns simple XML into a delimited file).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wizard size cap | 20 MB; larger files go through an import activity | [Import into a Data Extension](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.mc_es_import_into_de.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Default encoding | UTF-8 when no type is selected | [Import into a Data Extension](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.mc_es_import_into_de.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Default source | The FTP account's Import folder | [Import Activity](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_import_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Manage File output | Unzipped, decrypted file goes to the Import folder | [Manage a File](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_file_management_with_the_file_transfer_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Use local time zone setting | Matches date strings to the creator's time zone instead of Central Standard Time | [Manage a File](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_file_management_with_the_file_transfer_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Convert XML default | FileFormat `tab`; output beside the input | [Convert XML](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_convert_xml.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Bad data file over 25 MB | Added to your FTP folder instead of emailed | [Import Using an External File](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mc_as_update_a_list_or_data_extension_using_an_external_file.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Salesforce object import | Creates the data extension; source can't change afterwards | [Import Activity](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_import_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- Why can a file drop pattern that begins with AUG14 start an automation for `aug14files.zip`?
- When a File Transfer activity doesn't select Use local time zone setting, which clock do its date strings follow?
- Which file extensions does a Manage File unzip action accept?
- Why can't a later run recover rows replaced by an Overwrite import?

## Sources

- [Import Activity in Email Studio](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_import_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Import into a Data Extension](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.mc_es_import_into_de.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Import or Copy a Large Dataset Using an External File as the Source](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mc_as_update_a_list_or_data_extension_using_an_external_file.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [How to Use the File Transfer Activity in Automation Studio](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_using_the_file_transfer_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Manage a File with the File Transfer Activity in Automation Studio](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_file_management_with_the_file_transfer_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Convert XML](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_convert_xml.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Data Extract Activity](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_use_a_data_extract_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Filename Patterns Reference](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_filename_patterns_reference.htm&type=5&language=en_US)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 11 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Marketing Cloud Engagement Developer pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams