Relational Data Tables allow you to organize and store data related to Contacts
Feature
Relational Tables organize data into one or more tables (or "relations") of rows and columns, with a unique identifier (key) for each row. Many of the terms and functionality the Relational Tables tool are common for all relational database models and use strict SQL rules.
Before using Relational Tables, you must understand how your data relates between tables and how it is relevant to email marketing.
All table relationships should be validated before building anything within the system, as it is more difficult to maintain poorly defined data sets. The data should be organized and denormalized before anything is imported.
All Relational Tables require Data Keys: Primary Key(PK) and a Foreign Key(FK). In the case of Join Table, a Primary Key and at least 2 Foreign Keys are required.
Limitations
Relational databases are a very powerful and complex way to store data. Not all configurations of relational databases are supported in the system's Relational Tables implementation. It's important to note these limitations when determining how the Relational Tables tool can help leverage data within an Email Marketing program. The following are common configurations not currently supported:
- Auto increment Primary Key
The tool does not generate a primary key for tables. A Primary Key must be created and maintained outside the application and then imported into the Relational Table in the system as the Unique ID for the table. - Compound Primary Key
The tool does not support a Primary Key created by identifying two attributes defined in the table. - Nullable Keys
Neither the Primary Key or Foreign Key can be a NULL value. - Primary Key Data Types
A Primary Key must be of type STRING or INTEGER (number). The Primary Key does not support DATE/TIME or FLOAT data type.
Accessing Relational Tables
Relational Tables are accessed from the Contacts menu. To access the Relational Tables, go to CONTACTS > RELATIONAL TABLES. This will open the Relational Tables page, which displays a list of the existing Tables. From this page you can create a new Table, edit, activate, deactivate, and delete Tables.
At the top of the page, a few charts display quick statistics about the Tables, including the Total number of tables and how many tables each are in Pending, Active, or Inactive status.
The Relational Tables page then lists the following details for each Table:
|
Table Name |
Click the name of the Table to access the Table's settings and content. |
|
Type |
The Table Type: Regular, Flat, or Join. |
|
Relationship |
The name of the Table to which the Table is joined by Foreign Key. |
|
Status |
The Status of the table: Pending, Active, Inactive. |
|
Rows |
The total number of rows of data in the table. |
|
Actions |
The Actions depend on the Table Status and include options to: Activate, Deactivate, Delete, Delete Data, Import, Export, Query, Generate HTML. |
Several tools allow you to quickly find information within the page. Sort the data in any of the columns by clicking the column header. To quickly search the list by Table name, Type, Relationship, Status or Rows, use the FILTER text box. As you type a string, the page will automatically change to display only the Titles that match the characters in the Filter field. Use the SHOW listbox to quickly filter the page by Table Status.