Duplicate data from a synchronized data extension- Can't see the Syn DE in Automation studio

Question

i'm working in Automation Studio in order to duplicate the data of synchronized DE into a new sendable DE. The problem I have is that I see the synchronized DE in Contact Builder but I can't find it when I try to create the query (the synchr DE folder is empty). Which could be the issue and how can I solve it? In addition, as the sendable DE Id like to create should contain the list of all contacts i wonder which are the best option for creating the query: scheduling hourly with "add & update" is correct? I'd really appreciate any best practice you'd like to share with me. thanks so much Lucia

Answer 1

You are on right direction, when you try to create a query you won't find the synchronise DE's in query. But still you can specify the syncronized data extension name (in your case its contact so it will be like 'contact_salesforce') and query the records.

You can query it like :

SELECT * FROM Contact_Salesforce

If you are doing this from a child business unit, you'll need to add .ent as prefix.

SELECT * FROM ent.[Contact_Salesforce]

Yes, you can query with every one hour interval.

Regarding on action, if you keep 'update' action and if contact from salesforce has been deleted due to GDPR or some other process. The data will still be there in you contact data extension but not in syncronized data extension.

For these cases I would prefer 'overwrite' action over 'update' action.

Best practice for syncronized data source - https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=mc_co_implement_synchronized_data_sources_best_practices.htm&type=5

https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/modules/marketing-cloud-contact-management/explore-synchronized-data-sources

Let me know if this helps.

Answer 2

Hi Naveen thanks so much for your answer, very clear and helpful. I wonder if you can please clarify which activity should I select in the automation? Kind regards