Import data options
For this section, we will be concentrating on just the import options that can be automated and not discussing the UI import options. The main option for this is Import activity. Import activity requires the use of a Marketing Cloud File Location to ingest data, so there will be some considerations when utilizing it. You can create this File Location inside the Administrator tab in Email Studio or inside the Setup section.
Essentially, this activity will take a flat file (CSV, TXT, and so on) from the SFTP and then load it inside a data extension or list, separated by a specified delimiter in the file. This process can be automated inside the Import activity in Automation Studio and can be completed via a schedule or via a file drop trigger.
There are other options that can be used to ingest data, such as the manual import wizard in the user interface, but these are not capable of being automated. Due to that fact, we are not going to be covering them.
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