Marketing Automation26% of the exam
Automation Studio imports, file transfers and data extracts
How to build the file side of an automation: File Transfer to unzip or decrypt, trigger file naming patterns, Data Copy or Import settings (data action, mapping, delimiter, bad data and stale-file checks), SQL Query data actions, and Data Extract options such as Use Local TZ in Query.
Given a customer scenario, build the appropriate Automation Studio solution.
~8 min read · 10 practice questions ·
What the exam expects
- Add a File Transfer before importing a zipped or encrypted file, and fix unsupported compression.
- Pick the trigger substitution string that points a later step at the right file.
- Configure Data Copy or Import: data action, mapping, delimiter, Bad Data Behavior, stale-file checks.
- Choose a SQL Query data action, and set a tracking extract's time zone.
- Key terms: Data Copy or Import (the activity formerly called Import File); import definition (the saved settings the activity uses each run); data action (how rows are written to the destination); Safehouse (secure temporary storage for decrypted or unzipped files); substitution string (a
%%...%%placeholder in a File Naming Pattern).
Key facts
Unzip types
- Detail
- .zip, .gz, .tar; decrypt .pgp, .gpg
Compression
- Detail
- Deflate64 not supported; use Zip64
SFTP and Safehouse retention
- Detail
- Files removed after 21 days
%%FILENAME_FROM_TRIGGER_BASE%%- Detail
- Drops only the final extension
Primary key on import
- Detail
- Required unless the action is Overwrite
Bad Data Behavior
- Detail
- Emails invalid rows; over 25 MB goes to the FTP folder
Fail import if file is older
- Detail
- Always import the most recent file
Query data actions
- Detail
- Append, Update, Overwrite; target can't be a source
Tracking extract time zone
- Detail
- Without Use Local TZ in Query: CST, no daylight saving
Sources for this section (6)
- File Transfer Activityhelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Move Your Datatrailhead.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Substitution Strings Examplehelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Import or Copy a Datasethelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Build a SQL Query Activityhelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Data Extract Activityhelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- What else can the Data Extract activity do besides creating zipped files?
- When would you choose Map by Ordinal instead of Map by Header Row?
- Which substitution strings must a Data Extract file name avoid?
- Why does the File Transfer that delivers an extract go in a later step than the Data Extract?
The questions are free to read. Answers with their sources and self-grading are included with the pack.
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