Selecting a Data Extension for Entry

Consider these recommendations when you select a sendable data extension as an entry source.

Include fields needed for personalization or dynamic content in the data extension.
If the data for the journey is stored in multiple data extensions, create a single entry source data extension using a query. Create queries in Automation Studio using the SQL Query Activity.
If possible, filter your audience data extension to speed processing.

Data Source	Notes
Contact Builder	Sendable data extensions created or managed in Contact Builder are the recommended data source for journeys that use Marketing Cloud Engagement data.
Salesforce Data Extensions	Salesforce data extensions are no longer selectable as entry sources within Journey Builder. To use a Salesforce data extension as an entry source, use an automation to move its data into a supported format for entry. Create a data extension that you can populate with data from a Salesforce data extension. To populate the new data extension with data from a Salesforce data extension, create an automation with a query activity.
Synchronized Data Sources	Use synchronized data extensions to populate an entry source data extension in journeys that use Sales Cloud or Service Cloud data and Engagement data. You can also use synchronized data extensions to allow contacts from Google Analytics 4 audiences to enter your journeys. To use a synchronized data source’s data to populate an entry source data extension, follow these steps. Use a query activity or another process to target specific data in the data extension that results from your synchronized data source. Then segment the data into a sendable data extension that you can use as an entry source.

Data Source

Notes

Contact Builder

Sendable data extensions created or managed in Contact Builder are the recommended data source for journeys that use Marketing Cloud Engagement data.

Salesforce Data Extensions

Salesforce data extensions are no longer selectable as entry sources within Journey Builder. To use a Salesforce data extension as an entry source, use an automation to move its data into a supported format for entry.

Create a data extension that you can populate with data from a Salesforce data extension.
To populate the new data extension with data from a Salesforce data extension, create an automation with a query activity.

Synchronized Data Sources

Use synchronized data extensions to populate an entry source data extension in journeys that use Sales Cloud or Service Cloud data and Engagement data. You can also use synchronized data extensions to allow contacts from Google Analytics 4 audiences to enter your journeys.

To use a synchronized data source’s data to populate an entry source data extension, follow these steps.

Use a query activity or another process to target specific data in the data extension that results from your synchronized data source.
Then segment the data into a sendable data extension that you can use as an entry source.

Selecting a Data Extension for Entry

See Also