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Import or Copy a Large Dataset Using a Data Extension as the Source

Use the Data Copy or Import activity to copy data between data extensions and eliminate the need for complex SQL queries. You can use a data extension as the source to update another data extension but not a subscriber list. To update a subscriber list, use an external file.

Note
Note When you import a DateTime value from a data extension, millisecond information isn’t included in the import.
  1. From the Activities page, click Create Activity.
  2. Select Data Copy or Import.
  3. Click Create New Copy or Import Definition, and provide the details.
    Property Detail
    Name Enter a unique name.
    Description Identify the activity so that others using the account know what it is.
    External Key Enter a value that uniquely identifies the activity when using the API.
    Notification Settings To receive notifications for this activity, enter an email address.
  4. For the data source, select Data Extension, and select the data extension that you want to use.
  5. Select the source data extension to copy data from, and click Next.
  6. Select the target data extension to copy the data to, and click Next.
  7. Select the data action and specify how to write data to the destination. Unless you choose to overwrite the existing data, the target data extension must have at least one primary key column.
    Data Action Details
    Add Only New data is added to the destination, and existing data isn’t updated.
    Update Only Existing data is updated in the destination, and new data is ignored.
    Add and Update New data is added to the destination, and existing data is updated.
    Overwrite (Data Extensions Only) All data in the destination is replaced with data from the import file. You can’t recover overwritten data.
  8. Select how to map the data.
    Mapping Option Details
    Map by Header Row Each column header in the source data extension must match the column name in the target data extension.
    Map Manually Each column header in the target data extension is mapped according to the source data extension.
  9. Click Next.
  10. Run the activity.
  11. On the Contact Builder Data Extension tab, verify the updates.

See Also