---
schema_version: "1"
id: fc2eb589e812fe767340fca5f7a0e359c12d16201b47a5d6201b497e239a5ab0
title: Data Extension Update Activity Format
collection: developer
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/developer/current/en-us/marketing-cloud/guides/mc-apis/apidata-extension-update.md
canonical_url: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/marketing/marketing-cloud/guide/apidata-extension-update.html
source_site: developer.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: d2a0b238054cbd4457d6e2d823f42ec94b6f2eb35b8fd3799525a7e7d3cc2913
products:
  - Marketing Cloud Engagement APIs and Programmatic Languages
  - Marketing Cloud
---
# Data Extension Update Activity Format

The data extension update activity is used to modify the contact model attribute and data extension values at runtime. This activity type can’t be used in a custom activity.

## [](#journey-specification-format)Journey Specification Format

The activity must be formatted as specified below. The following JSON object is included in the `activities` array of a journey, as defined in the Journey Specification.

## Sample Request

```js
{
    "key": "data-extension-update-1",
    "name": "My Data Extension Update 1",
    "type": "DataExtensionUpdate",
    "outcomes": [
        {
            "key": "dataUpdate-outcome-1",
            "next": "<key of next activity>"
        }
    ],
    "arguments": {
        "value": "some value"
    },
    "configurationArguments": {
        "dataExtensionId": "<data extension id>",
        "field": "<field id>"
    }
}
```

## Sample Response

```js
{
    "id": "4281880b-2eae-4819-99e8-a40bb1c864c8",
    "key": "data-extension-update-1",
    "name": "My Data Extension Update 1",
    "type": "DataExtensionUpdate",
    "outcomes": [
        {
            "key": "dataUpdate-outcome-1",
            "next": "<key of next activity>"
        }
    ],
    "arguments": {
        "value": "some value"
    },
    "configurationArguments": {
        "dataExtensionId": "<data extension id>",
        "field": "<field id>"
    }
}
```

## Related Items

[Journey Specification](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/marketing/marketing-cloud/guide/getting-started-spec.md)