0

I´ve created an data extension with a lot of fields (~400). Each field is formatted with a maximum of 4.000 characters. When calling the table salesforce loads very long and I think it is due to the 4000 characters. In the Contact Builder I can only increase the number of characters, not reduce them. Do you have any idea to reduce the characters or create a copy of this table as easy as possible without having to create each field manually?

Thanks in advance!

Improve this question
2
  • 1
    I would say you have to do it by hand or use APIs (retrieve the old dataextension change all data types and create a new dataextension with it). (when this table would have 1Million rows that would be 1600 or 3200 GB (if my math is correct, which i doubt right now). Do not ever create tables like this... – Johannes Schapdick Aug 22 '18 at 13:10
  • 2
    To hop on @JohannesSchapdick's comment, I would highly recommend using this as an opportunity to break apart this DE into a group of DEs all connected with a unique ID, This will create a much faster process and will likely allow you to sectionalize your data so that it does not have to be a bulk update/export each time. – Gortonington Aug 22 '18 at 14:12
0

To put this into an answer, instead of just comments, I would use this as an opportunity to recreate your current process.

  1. I would first export the entire DE onto a local drive.
  2. Set a limit on Field Size for each column
  3. Set a Field Type for each column
  4. I would then break the Fields out via Excel or preferred software into multiple related data tables
  5. Ensure there is at least 1 unique key tying each table to others.

This will let you take a field that maybe has the same value repeating multiple times in the single DE, and reduce it to only a couple entries based on a key in another field. For example if Assigned is only 'Yes' or 'No', and is based on if Job equals 'Started' - 'Yes', but if Job equals 'Not Started' or 'Completed' - 'No'.

You can have 2 DEs, one that has the Job values attached to the Unique ID for each Job, and another DE that contains 3 entries (the 3 job values) and the corresponding values for 'Assigned' (Yes/No) - greatly reducing the necessary storage and processing space.

It should also increase your capability to update/add without needing to do bulk uploads adds every time - making it more efficient.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.