AMPScript Lookup From Child Business Unit

Question

I have a shared data extension that lives in our main business unit, but, is shared across all child business units. I am trying to do a lookup inside the child business unit in content builder. In content builder the lookup is validated but in Journey Builder it kicks me a validation error.

Here is the ampscript:

%%[
set @key = [id]
set @fname = Lookup ('shoppers', 'first_name', 'id', @key)
]%%

Here is the validation error:

Error 1: Script SET Statement Invalid An error occurred when attempting to resolve a script expression. See inner exception for detail. Script Expression: Lookup ('shoppers', 'first_name', 'id', @key) MemberID: 100012513 JobID: 0 The Data Extension name for a Lookup function call is invalid. A Data Extension of this name does not exist. Data Extension Name: shoppers Function Call: Lookup ('shoppers', 'first_name', 'id', @key) Parameter Name: DataExtensionName Parameter Ordinal: 1 Invalid Content: set @fname = Lookup ('shoppers', 'first_name', 'id', @key) There is an error in your email. Please contact your customer service representative. Error 1: Script SET Statement Invalid An error occurred when attempting to resolve a script expression. See inner exception for detail. Script Expression: Lookup ('shoppers', 'first_name', 'id', @key) MemberID: 100012513 JobID: 0 The Data Extension name for a Lookup function call is invalid. A Data Extension of this name does not exist. Data Extension Name: shoppers Function Call: Lookup ('shoppers', 'first_name', 'id', @key) Parameter Name: DataExtensionName Parameter Ordinal: 1 Invalid Content: set @fname = Lookup ('shoppers', 'first_name', 'id', @key)

Answer 1

Any DE that is in the shared folder is "owned" by the EID (Parent MID) If you need to access it within a child BU you need to use the ENT. prefix.

You need to update your ampscript to the following:

%%[
set @key = [id]
set @fname = Lookup ('ent.shoppers', 'first_name', 'id', @key)
]%%