API22% of the exam
SOAP API objects, methods and Retrieve requests
Which SOAP method fits a task (Create, Update, Delete, Retrieve, Describe, Perform or Schedule), which objects each method supports, and how RetrieveRequest properties, data extension retrieves and the a:Action header shape what a call returns.
Given a scenario, describe API objects, methods, and routes.
~8 min read · 16 practice questions ·
What the exam expects
- Choose the SOAP method that matches a task: add, change, remove, read, describe, run now or run later.
- Confirm that an object supports a method and, for Perform, the exact action name.
- Predict what a Retrieve returns from its ObjectType, Properties and Filter, including data extension rows.
- Scope a RetrieveRequest to one child business unit, to every account, or to changes since the last run.
- Write Create and Update envelopes correctly, including clearing a field to null and naming the method in the header.
- Key terms: APIObject (the base type every SOAP object such as Subscriber or DataExtensionObject derives from); RetrieveRequest (the object that describes what a Retrieve returns); Perform action (the verb, such as
start, that Perform applies to an object); OverallStatus (the request-level result string); ClientIDs (the account MIDs a retrieve targets).
Key facts
Retrieve scope
- Detail
- One object type; only requested properties that have values
Allowed retrieve properties
- Detail
- Found with the Describe method
Data extension retrieve size
- Detail
- Up to 2,500 records per request
Data extension filters
- Detail
- No
LIKEoperators
Update on a missing object
- Detail
- Causes an error; use Create
Field omitted from an update
- Detail
- Keeps its current value; clear it with NullAPIProperty
Batch order
- Detail
- First in, first out; one result per input object
Send pause, resume, cancel
- Detail
- Only with the ID property; otherwise Action is ignored
QueryAllAccounts
- Detail
- Parent plus all children; ignores ClientIDs
Tracking events
- Detail
- OpenEvent, ClickEvent, SentEvent: Retrieve only
Method selection
- Detail
a:Actionheader (or HTTP SOAPAction header)
Sources for this section (10)
- Retrievedeveloper.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- RetrieveRequestdeveloper.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Retrieve from a Data Extensiondeveloper.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Updatedeveloper.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Null Field Valuedeveloper.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Createdeveloper.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Deletedeveloper.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Performdeveloper.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Supported Operationsdeveloper.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- SOAP Faultsdeveloper.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- When does a SOAP Update leave a data extension field unchanged?
- Why is a
Datecolumn a poor primary key for a data extension read through SOAP? - Which Perform actions can an EmailSendDefinition use today?
- Why does every Create call include an Options element even when no option is needed?
The questions are free to read. Answers with their sources and self-grading are included with the pack.
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