Managing Data Fields

Learn how to use data fields.

What we'll cover

1. Concepts
2. Supported data types
3. How to add a data field
4. How to update a data field
5. How to delete a data field

1 Concepts

Private vs. Public data fields
Public data fields can be displayed in sign-up and profile update forms, allowing contacts to view and edit them. Private data fields, on the other hand, are for internal use only and will not be shown to the public. To determine which data fields should be public, consider which ones you want your contacts to be able to specify and update. All other fields should be designated as private.

Default value
The default value of a data field is used when employing merge tags in content. If a data field is included in the content and the contact does not have a value for that field, the default value will be automatically used.

Required data fields
If you set a data field to be required, that make it required when manually adding a contact or when the data field is in a form. It will NOT stop an import if the data field isn't mapped in the import settings.

2 Supported data types

Text
Value max-length: 255 characters

Number
Value max-length: 255 characters

Date
Required import format: YYYY/MM/DD

Date time
Required import format: YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM AM/PM

Birthday
Required import format: YYYY/MM/DD (Year will be ignored)

Phone
Value max-length: 50 characters

International phone
Value max-length: 50 characters

Zip code (US Only)
Value max-length: 20 characters

URL
Value max-length: 255 characters

Image
Value max-length: 255 characters

State (US Only)
Value max-length: 50 characters

Country
Required import format: ISO 3166 (2-letter country code)

Email
Value max-length: 255 characters

3 How to add a data field

Here are the steps:

1. Go to the data fields in your audience. Audience > Data fields
2. Click on the "+" button at the top-right of the screen.
3. Fill out form. If you leave the "Merge tag" field blank. We will automatically generate one.
4. Optionally, check the "Add another data field" checkbox if you are going to add another field.
5. Click add

4 How to update a data field

Here are the steps:

1. Go to the data fields in your audience. Audience > Data fields
2. Click on the data field you would like to update
3. Update the fields that you would like to change

   Note: You can not update the merge tag because it could cause issues with in your content. If you update the private/public field, please be sure to update your forms.

4. Click update

5 How to delete a data field

Here are the steps:

1. Go to the data fields in your audience. Audience > Data fields
2. Click on the trash can icon in the data field row
3. Fill out form
4. Click delete

   Note: After deleting a data field, make sure to go into any forms and content that used the data field to update them.