Redpoint Best Practices Documentation
Redpoint Best Practices Documentation
Breadcrumbs

Creating a data import

Overview

The data import function allows you to upload a file of customer records for use in a specific campaign. When you upload a file using the Data Import Designer, it creates a temporary table in the database to house the records. This feature is designed for short lists of customers that you want to target for single-use campaigns. It is not intended as an alternative to the use of full data management processes. This topic explains how to use the data import function for a campaign.

The video below walks through creating a data import and using the attributes generated from the data import to create a selection rule.

Prerequisites

Data imports must be uploaded as a CSV file type. The CSV file should contain at least one unique field, such as a customer ID, to avoid creating duplicates in the database. Attributes will be generated from the columns in your CSV (name, email address, gender, income, etc.).

Once your CSV is ready, close the file before starting the data import process. RPI will not allow you to import a file that is open.

Creating a data import

Creating your data import requires a few steps: adding the file, configuring the column settings, and completing the upload. We’ll review each of these steps in detail below.

Step 1: Creating a new data import

To create a new data import:

  1. Go to the Quick Access menu > Audience > Data Imports.

  2. Select Create new Data Import.

Step 2: Configuring the data import options

On the options tab, you’ll configure the preferences for the data import.

To configure the options:

  1. Choose the CSV file you’d like to import.

  2. Create a name for the database table that will house your imported customer records. There cannot be any spaces in your table name.

  3. Choose a folder to store the attributes that are generated from your file import. We recommend creating a new folder so you can easily find the attributes when you’re ready to use them.

  4. Set how long (in days) the new table will remain in the database using the Retention Period field.

This feature is intended for quick, one-off campaigns, so the default retention period is 28 days.

  1. Review the optional settings:

    1. Create resolution level: allows you to specify whether to create an RPI resolution level based on the loaded table. Check this box if the customer records you’re adding aren’t in the database.

    2. Has header row: leave this box checked if your CSV file has a header row at the top.

    3. Overwrite existing table: checks the table name against the database. If the box is unchecked and the table name matches an existing table, the upload will fail. If the name matches and the box is checked, the old table will be overwritten by the new import.

  2. Select Analyze File.

Step 3: Configuring the column settings

Once you’re finished on the options tab and you’ve analyzed the file, RPI will move automatically to the columns tab.

The Data Import Designer pulls all of the columns from your CSV when you analyze it. Each of the columns has the following configurable settings:

  • Name: the column name is pulled from the header row of the CSV, if you have one. You can change the name if you need to.

  • Data Type: specifies the type of data as DateTime, Decimal, Integer, or String. RPI will estimate this based on the file analysis, but if it’s incorrect you can change it.

  • Length: only available for string data types, must be a minimum of one.

  • Is Key: a checkbox that determines the key for the table. Only one column can be the key, and the key must be a unique field, such as a Customer ID.

  • Create Attribute: this box is checked by default for all columns. When the data is uploaded, an attribute will be created for each column with the box checked.

  • Join: option to choose an existing data warehouse column. When the file is imported, a join will be created between the chosen file column and the existing data warehouse column.

Step 4: Loading the data

Once you’ve configured the column settings you need for your upload, you’re ready to load the file data into RPI.

To load the data:

  1. Review the changes you made on the Columns tab and make sure everything is correct.

  2. Name the Data Import.

  3. Save the Data Import.

  4. Select Preview File from the toolbar to review the file data to be uploaded.

  5. Choose Load Data.

A job will begin to load the data into RPI. Depending on the size of the file, this may take some time. Once the job is complete, the customer records have been loaded into the database. You can use the data to create a selection rule and go on to build your campaign.

Additional resources