# Import files, import wizards and import activities

*Marketing Cloud Engagement Foundations Study Guide · Data Management · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-engagement-foundations/data-management/import-files-import-wizards-and-import-activities*

How data gets into Marketing Cloud Engagement: the import file rules, the list and data extension import wizards, update types and primary keys, Automation Studio starting sources and activities, and SFTP setup per business unit.

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

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario, summarize the various data import mechanisms and requirements.

## What the exam expects

- Choose between a manual import, a Contact Builder import definition and an Automation Studio import activity for a one-off or recurring load.
- Prepare an import file that follows Salesforce's format, header, column, date and preference-value rules.
- Pick an update type and predict what happens to rows with bad data or a table without a primary key.
- Choose the starting source and activity for an automated load, and recall SFTP setup per business unit.
- Key terms: **import activity** (a saved definition that loads a file into a list or data extension each run); **update type** (how an import treats new and existing rows); **starting source** (what starts an automation: a schedule or a file drop); **safehouse** (secure short-term storage for decrypted or unzipped files); **MID** (the Member ID of an account or business unit).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Data extension wizard size | Under 20 MB; larger files use an import activity | [Import into a Data Extension](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_import_into_de.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| No primary key | Only Overwrite is supported | [Import Activity in Email Studio](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_import_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Bad rows | Skipped by default; the rest imports | [Import Activity in Email Studio](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_import_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Salesforce report source | Data extension created from its schema | [Import Activity in Email Studio](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_import_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Data Copy or Import source | A data extension or a file location | [Organize Your Data](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/audience-segmentation/organize-your-data) |

## Check yourself

- Why would an import fail when the file is picked from a network path such as a UNC share?
- When is the data extension import wizard the wrong tool for a file?
- Which folders does Marketing Cloud Engagement create in a new SFTP folder?
- What should you try when a file keeps failing to import and you can't see why?

## Sources

- [Import File Requirements for Marketing Cloud Engagement](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_subscriber_import_file_requirements.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Import Activity in Email Studio](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_import_activity.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Data Transfer and Import Activities (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/marketing-cloud-data-management/move-your-data)
- [Import into a Data Extension](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_import_into_de.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Import into a List](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_import_into_list_enhanced.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Create a Data Extension in Email Studio](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_es_create_data_extension.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Organize Your Data (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/audience-segmentation/organize-your-data)
- [Verification Activity](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_verification_activity.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 Foundations pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams