Discover the steps to configure a scheduled task to automatically export all contacts present in a database or audience to a new file.
Creation
Go to the "Settings" menu and click on "Scheduled tasks".
You will see the page with the list of Scheduled tasks, which will be empty on first access.
Click the "New Task" button at the top right and define:
- Task name
- Context: Database
- Database: select the target database on which the task should be executed
- Task type: Automatic contacts export
Then click on the "Save" button.
After creating the task, you will be directed to the first step of the configuration section, called "Settings," where you will need to set up the general configurations of the task.
On the right, you will find the "Task" menu that will guide you through all the steps of the configuration:
Properties
In this section, define the general settings of your task. Refer to the article How to create a scheduled task: general settings for details.
Data source
You can export only the contacts that meet the criteria of a configured filter. Once the filter is defined, use the "Count contacts" button to know the exact number.
File outline
Configure the structure of the file to be exported.
In the given example, a file with two columns will be created, the first named "Email," and the second "Mobile."
File format
Define all the parameters of the file to be exported.
In the File name you can also use placeholders to automatically assign the name to your file.
With the options:
You can:
- Remove unnecessary spaces at the beginning and end of the file you are creating
If a field, for example, instead of starting with an alphanumeric character, begins with one or more spaces, these will be automatically removed. The same operation will then be applied to any spaces present after the last character - Compress the file in .zip format
- Insert column headers in the first row
File upload
The last step in configuring this task is defining the path where the generated file will be exported.
There are two possible solutions:
-
FTP of this account: the execution will upload the file to the account local FTP.
You can access the platform FTP configuration by following the path "Settings," "FTP," "Browse files"
In this section, you can create new folders and upload files.
Once your FTP service is configured, select the path where the exported file will be placed using the "browse" button. -
File server: the file will be stored on a file server of a non-resident FTP on the platform.
To configure this service, follow the path "Settings," "FTP," "Remote FTP" In the appearing page, select the "New server" button and configure all the parameters of your remote FTP.
Once the remote FTP is configured, define the folder where the created file will be exported.
Task execution
Once all parameters are set, select the Save button at the top right of the page.
If you wish to start the execution immediately, click on Run now at the top right. You will be asked for confirmation of the immediate start of execution.
Upon completion, a detailed report will inform you of its outcome.