Send Logging

Prerequisites

You must have the send logging and data extension features enabled in order to use the information in this document. Contact your ExactTarget representative for more information about enabling these features.

What is Send Logging

To use send logging, you create a data extension that uses the send logging template. Each account receives one send logging template and data extension. Some fields are required on this data extension to identify the send, subscriber, and other information. To keep additional information in the send logging data extension, you must create a column in the data extension to contain it. The names of the columns in the send logging data extension must exactly match the names of the attributes or the fields in the sendable data extensions in order to log any values.

You can run query activities on the send logging data extension to return information on the information contained in that data extension. You can also use measures, filters and programs on the data extension to segment the information contained within the data extension. The measures, filters, and programs used on the data extension may change depending on what information you need to extract.

You can also use AMPscript to determine in which context content is displayed and pull information from a send logging data extension related to that context. For example, you can display different content depending on whether that content is displayed in en email or a web page.

Sends not made from a user-initiated send or a triggered send will not be logged except for A/B Tests.

Why Use Send Logging

Send logging gives you access to data not available via standard tracking functions in the ExactTarget application. You can also specify how long that information will be available depending on your data retention needs.

How to Create a Send Logging Data Extension

Follow the instructions below to create a send logging data extension:

1. Click the Subscribers tab.
2. Click Data Extensions.
3. Click the Create From Template button.
4. Select the checkbox next to the SendLog template.
5. Click the Select button at the top of the screen.
6. Enter the name, external key and description you wish to assign to this data extension.
7. Leave the checkbox next to Used for Sending unchecked.
8. Create additional fields for list attributes or data extension fields you would like to record in the send logging data extension. By default, the application adds the following fields:
   • JobID
   • ListID
   • BatchID
   • SubID
   • TriggeredSendID
   • ErrorCode
9. Select the Use Data Retention feature if desired.
10. Click the 'Save' button to save the data extension.

How to Enable Send Logging for a User-Initiated or Triggered Send

Follow the steps below to enable send logging on a user-initiated or triggered send:

1. Click the Interactions tab.
2. Under the Messages heading, navigate to the user-initiated or triggered email you wish to modify.
3. In the email screen, scroll down to the Enable send logging to a data extension checkbox and click it.
4. Click Save.