Modules in Design Studio can be configured to use data from elsewhere in Engage, for example from a product feed or from abandoned cart. These are called data sources. Here we'll see how they are used when building emails.
Data sources
A data source can be only set up on a Row or Wrapper element, and Subject line while in Design mode. When the data source is configured, all personalization fields inside this row or wrapper will have access to the specific data in that data source (as well as to the data that all personalization fields have access to, such as contact data).
In the image above, the Back in Stock data source has been configured for everything inside this wrapper. The dropdown is shown in grey and is disabled to prevent accidental removal. You can however remove it and select another one for this wrapper or row by pressing the minus (-) button to the right and then selecting a new data source from the dropdown.
Data sources can be many things, including:
- Abandoned cart
- Product recommendations
- Product feed
- Challenges
And many more. When you add a data source, it provides a range of data parameters for you to use for any personalization field within that element and its child elements.
Data source types
There are two types of data source, stored data and triggered data.
Stored Data is always available as it's retrieved from databases or via APIs. Some is available by default (such as contact data) and does not need to be manually configured on a row or wrapper.
Trigger Data is available only in automations such as an abandoned cart.
| Stored data (always available) |
Stored data (can be added to elements) |
Automation trigger data (can be added to elements) |
|---|---|---|
| Contact | Challenges (single & list) | Abandoned browse |
| Sendout | Code promotion | Abandoned cart |
| Targeting: Target audience | *Custom data sources | Abandoned checkout |
| Targeing: Label | Multichannel promotion (single & list) | Back in stock |
| Reward voucher status | Nearest stores | Challenge progression |
| Point status | NPS response | Contextual products |
| Member level | Product feed | *Custom trigger |
| Store | Recommended products | *Interaction |
| Registration forms | New back in stock subscription | |
| Reward voucher | Order action | |
| Personal products | Order v2 | |
| Point Shop offer purchased | Onsite message | |
| Top selling products | Point Shop offers | |
| Wallet assign card | Product rating and review request | |
| Reward voucher reminder | ||
| Review comment |
*The ones marked with an asterisk will appear under their own name
Data source input parameters
Some stored data sources require input parameters, like in the Multichannel Promotions example shown below. Inputs can also be localized to offer different products based on market variants.
Personalization fields
Personalization fields can be added to text fields. Once configured, they will be automatically replaced by incoming data from the data sources available.
To add a personalisation field:
- Click in a text field and select Add personalized field:
- Then select the data that will be shown in the field:
- The name of the text field as shown in the overview will now automatically change to reflect the personalization fields inside it.
- You can hover over a personalization field to get the data source.
- Double-click the personalization field if you want to edit.
Troubleshooting personalization
"I do not see any values while previewing with data"
When data is missing, the personalization fields render as nothing. This can also happen if the personalization is part of a repeater and no data is repeated. Normally the problem is that data is missing, for example, the contact may not have a registered first name, or the product feed may not have an image for the specific product.
It could also be that the personalization field has lost its connection to its data source. This happens if the data source or the repeater has been removed. Hover over the personalization field, and it will show an error if this is the case.
"My prices do not show up as expected"
When using prices from a data source such as a product feed or order action, they will be formatted according to the settings for the relevant marketing group (Config Hub). The default format follows the marketing group's culture setting, but it's also possible to use a custom price format. Make sure the personalization field has "Custom price" selected as the format.
The actual value or currency will not be changed by Design Studio — only the presentation. For example, it's not possible to round a price.