Greetings, fellow Marketing Cloud wizards! In this post, we'll embark on a magical journey to conquer the often-misunderstood realm of zip exporting to external file locations using Salesforce Marketing Cloud Engagement Automation Studio. Prepare to be spellbound by the enchanting world of Data Extracts, File Transfers, and Import activities!
The Great Debate: SFMC SFTP vs. External File Locations
As you may know, with great power comes great responsibility, and choosing between SFMC SFTP
and external file locations is no exception. When should you opt for an external file location? Well, it's ideal for limiting file access to specific providers, as SFMC SFTP users can access all files and folders. External SFTP locations grant access only to those who truly need it.
Keep in mind, that file drop functionality is unavailable when importing from an external file location. Instead, you'll have to rely on scheduled automation or trigger entry.
The Magical Solution: Exporting Zipped Files to External Locations
Recently, SFMC.Essentials encountered a puzzling challenge: exporting a zipped segment to an external file location. While the Zip extract type exists in the activity options, it only exports the zipped file to the SFMC SFTP Export folder. Many claimed it was impossible, but SFMC.Essentials is here to prove otherwise!
The Spellbinding Steps to Success
Follow these mesmerizing steps to export a zipped file to an external file location:
Step 1
Create a Data Extract activity to retrieve data from a Data Extension and generate the file to be zipped. Use a consistent file naming pattern and include the file type (e.g., .csv).
Step 2
Use a File Transfer activity to move the file from the Safehouse to your Export folder. Match the file naming pattern from Step 1.
Step 3
Zip the file using a Data Extract type Zip. Configure the data extract activity following these guidelines: Use the file naming pattern from Steps 1 and 2 for the resulting Zipped file.
The archive folder will be automatically created; use \Export\Archive.
The filter identifies the file to be zipped.
The import folder is the folder where the file is located, such as the \Export folder.
The export folder is where the zip file will be created, like \Export\Magazine.
Step 4
Move the zip file to the Safehouse using the file naming pattern from Step 3.
Step 5
Move the file from the Safehouse to the external file location using the same file naming pattern from Steps 3 and 4.
Epilogue: Victory Over the Impossible
And there you have it, my fellow sorcerers of marketing automation! You've now mastered the arcane art of exporting zipped files to external file locations using Salesforce Marketing Cloud. So the next time someone claims it's impossible, remember to wield your newfound knowledge and achieve the unimaginable!
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