# Choosing an import method and file location

*Marketing Cloud Engagement Specialist Study Guide · Subscriber and Data Management · Last updated October 29, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-engagement-specialist/subscriber-and-data-management/choosing-an-import-method-and-file-location*

How to pick the Import Wizard, a Contact Builder import definition, a Data Copy or Import activity or the API; when a file must come from FTP instead of your computer; what list and data extension imports do to All Subscribers, List Detective and publication lists; and how long the SFTP and Safehouse keep files.

- Certification: Salesforce Marketing Cloud Engagement Specialist
- Exam section: Subscriber and Data Management
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-engagement-specialist

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a customer's business requirements, determine how to import data into Marketing Cloud.

## What the exam expects

- Choose the Import Wizard, a Contact Builder import definition, a Data Copy or Import activity or an API call from how often the load runs and how it starts.
- Choose My Computer or an FTP file location from the file's size and where it lives, and know how long the SFTP and Safehouse keep files.
- Predict what a list import and a data extension import do to All Subscribers, List Detective and publication-list opt-outs.
- Retrieve an import results file that is too large to attach to the notification email.
- Key terms: **Import Wizard** (the manual import on a data extension's Records tab); **import definition** (saved import settings, reusable from Contact Builder or Automation Studio); **Data Copy or Import** (the Automation Studio activity formerly called Import File); **Safehouse** (secure, short-term storage for decrypted or unzipped files); **publication list** (manages opt-ins and opt-outs for data extension sends).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ways into a data extension | Import Wizard, Data Copy or Import activity, API | [Data Extension Imports](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/email-creation-and-sending/import-subscriber-data) |
| Import definition | Reusable from Contact Builder; usable in an automation or API call | [Data Transfer and Import Activities](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/marketing-cloud-data-management/move-your-data) |
| Wizard file size | Can't exceed 20 MB; larger files use 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) |
| FTP file names | Case-sensitive | [Import into a Data Extension](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.mc_es_import_into_de.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| SFTP and Safehouse | Files removed after 21 days | [Data Transfer and Import Activities](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/marketing-cloud-data-management/move-your-data) |
| Encrypted file on external FTP | Two File Transfers: move to Safehouse, then decrypt | [Data Transfer and Import Activities](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/marketing-cloud-data-management/move-your-data) |
| Data extension import | All Subscribers and List Detective wait for the send | [List vs. Data Extension](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mc_es_list_versus_data_extension.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Publication list import | Adds unsubscribes only | [List vs. Data Extension](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mc_es_list_versus_data_extension.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Oversized results file | Only readable through a Data Copy or Import activity | [View Import Results File Data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=005316731&language=en_US&type=1) |

## Check yourself

- Why might each regional business unit get its own SFTP user instead of sharing one?
- Why shouldn't an admin delete the Import, Export and Reports folders on a new SFTP?
- When you build a data extension to read an import results file, which fields and retention does the article use?

## Sources

- [Improve Email Campaigns with Data Extension Imports](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/email-creation-and-sending/import-subscriber-data)
- [Data Transfer and Import Activities](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=sf.mc_es_import_into_de.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Email Studio List vs. Email Studio Data Extension](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mc_es_list_versus_data_extension.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)
- [Marketing Cloud Engagement: View Import Results File Data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=005316731&language=en_US&type=1)

## 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 Specialist pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams