FTP Instruction Guide

Filename Requirements

The name of each file that you upload to the ExactTarget FTP site must contain either your ExactTarget member ID or your company name to ensure its uniqueness.

Additionally, the filename must not contain any characters that are restricted by Microsoft Windows. The following characters must not appear in your filenames: 
\ / : * < > | ? "

Format Requirements

Your import file must meet the following requirements:

• Format: When you create the file of subscriber data to be imported into the application, you must save it as a tab-delimited TXT file or a comma-delimited CSV file. (Many applications offer these formats as "save as" options.)
• Header row: A header row (a row at the top of the file labeling the columns in the file) is recommended for mapping purposes. If the labels in the header row exactly match the names of the attributes in your account, the application will be able to map the data for you by default.
• Attribute data type: If you're importing subscriber attributes, the data in the import file must be of the same data type (text, date, or numeric) as the attribute field in the application.
• Attributes with restricted values: If you're importing subscriber data into attribute fields that restrict the possible values, the import data must exactly match one of the values defined as allowable for that attribute.
• Preferences: If you're importing subscriber preference data, your import file should use only the values Yes and No.

Encryption Support

If the advanced feature for encrypted imports is enabled in your account, you can encrypt your import file. ExactTarget supports files encrypted with the GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG). You can find out more about the GnuPG format and download the software at http://www.gnupg.org/.

The ExactTarget public GnuPG key is located at the following address: http://members.exacttarget.com/Content/Subscribers/SubsLists/publickey.txt
This link to the public key is included in the Identify Source File dialog box of the Import Subscriber wizard (in the ExactTarget application) for your convenience.

Permission Error

Issue: You receive a permission error while trying to copy your file to the FTP site.

Possible resolution: Another file with the same filename already exists on the FTP site. Rename your file and try again to copy the file to the FTP site.

Windows Folder Access Error

Issue: You receive the following error when you try to log in to the FTP site:

Windows cannot access this folder. Make sure you typed the file name correctly and that you have permission to access the folder.

Possible resolution: According to Microsoft, this issue can occur when you are attempting to access the FTP site from behind a firewall and you have folder view for FTP sites enabled in Internet Explorer.

Go to the Advanced tab in the Internet Options dialog box and clear (deselect) the Enable folder view for FTP sites check box. Then try accessing the FTP site again.

For more information, see the following Microsoft knowledge base article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;814473.

Unable to Log In

Issue: You are unable to log in to the FTP site.

Possible resolution: Your organization might be set up to deny users access to all external FTP sites. Ask your organization's system administrator whether you can access FTP sites.