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Marketing Cloud - applying an index to a Data Extension

Publish Date: Aug 30, 2023
Description

What is an index

  • An index is used to designate specific columns on a table as valuable for data evaluation
  • Indexes cannot be applied directly by users of the Marketing Cloud
  • An index is always applied to fields designated as a Primary Key (see below)
  • Most procedures using Data Extensions are capable of automatically self-indexing (eg. sends, filters, AMPScript)
  • Indexes can be manually applied by database administrators in some situations

Why are Indexes used

Indexes are used to improve performance of processes within the Marketing Cloud, mainly for data retrieval and manipulation.  There are three main areas Indexes are used; Sends, Business Unit Filtering and Query Activities. 

There is no hard-and-fast rule for determining if an index will be of benefit. For example, the Query Activity Performance Best Practices article briefly discusses situations where indexes can both help and harm performance of Query Activities.


Data Extension Primary Key

A primary key designates a field or fields as significant for evaluating data in a Data Extension. Adding this property to a Data Extension will result in those fields being indexed. It is always possible to use a relational database model for data in the Marketing Cloud. It is often the case that doing so will allow greater performance.


How are Support cases requesting an Index handled

For Marketing Cloud Support requests, a general request to add an index will not be pursued.

There are exceptions as detailed below. Otherwise, the goal of the Support agent is to identify performance optimization steps or alternative approaches that do not require indexing. The general details and relevant supporting documentation should be provided to the customer for those steps.

Known exceptions where an index will be applied based upon a customer request:
  • Functionality that is documented as requiring an index e.g. ClaimRow() AMPScript
  • Requests where an internal Marketing Cloud resource is quoted as stating the index is to be applied
  • Instances where the data, structure and process is fully optimized, in the view of Support, but performance errors persist.
The key to all three exceptions is that the Marketing Cloud has reviewed the use case and confirmed that an index is the only route to achieve the desired outcome. Consideration for alternative solutions that do not demand an index be applied will always be required.
 
Resolution
Please create a Case for Support if you require further assistance with your process and Indexes.
Knowledge Article Number

000388307

 
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Salesforce Help | Article