FTP Schedule Instructions

FTP File Requirements

• The file being imported must be zipped.  This will ensure the integrity of the CSV or TSV data file being imported.
• The filename with the subscriber information (located on your FTP server), must contain the API ID for the list - anywhere in the name of the zip file. This is just a “double check” on your side to make sure the data is imported into the correct list.
  • You can find the API id for the list under the Subscribers & Lists -> Edit List -> API id
• Your data file must contain column name headers in the first row.
• We will automatically uncompress the zip file, take the first file in the zip file, and process ONLY that first file.  This file does not need to have a specific naming convention.
• You must notify your Technical Services Manager when adding a new FTP schedule in order for the import to "go live".

Automatic Column to Custom Field Mapping

• The FTP Scheduler will automatically map column names in your data file to custom fields in the system, based on the first row column names in your data file.
  • We always recommend testing the CSV/TSV file first using the manual import Subscribers & Lists -> Import.  If the columns auto-map to your custom fields, and the import is successful, it's likely setup correctly.
• In order for column names in the import file to map to fields in the system automatically, the import file MUST contain headers that match the column names in your custom field section.  See Subscribers & Lists -> Custom Fields. 
• The file must also have at least a single column named "email" which contains an email address for each row in your import file.
• If there are columns that do not match custom field names they will be ignored.
• A column name can only be used once, e.g. you cannot have two email columns.

Test FTP Schedule

Test the FTP Schedule by clicking Test FTP Schedule at the bottom.

• The results from this test will appear in the tab at the top called Last Test Log.
• Check the Last Test Log tab for any alerts/changes needed.
• It will also tell you which columns would be mapped to custom fields in the account, and which columns would be skipped.
• Since this is a test, it will not import/update subscribers into the account.

If you would like to manually run the FTP import, click Run LIVE Import.

• This will trigger the FTP import to run and import subscribers into your account.
• You can view the results for this under the Last Run Log tab.
• Once you’re ready to activate your first daily FTP schedule, please contact your technical account manager and we will set the time for your schedule to run. Typically we suggest around 4am. You’ll also want to make sure your schedule is set to Active.

Concatenate Functionality

You have the optional ability to concatenate a single field as you import subscribers. This means, if an email address is repeated in the import file, we will automatically append new information to the concatenate field you select.  e.g. If I choose a custom field called "Item Purchased" as my concatenate field, and my file looks like the following:

The subscriber records will look like the following after the data is imported:

Please note, the "Concatenate" field will always be "refreshed" on import, assuming the import file contains this field.  This means it's not possible to retain data for that column from import to import.  Any new import will overwrite and refresh that column. In addition, custom fields can store a limited amounts of information, and aren't intended as a data repository, so it's not possible to store data over 255 characters in length in most custom fields.