Before a File is Uploaded

There are two things to keep in mind before attempting to upload a file to your Automated File Campaign.

#1 The file headers must match the headers that were originally mapped in the campaign creation.

Download a sample file from the campaign to ensure the headers match before trying to upload. The file will not process and an error will occur if the headers do not match. A sample file can be downloaded from the Campaign Settings Page. Click “Download Sample Mapping”.

#2 The file name must include the campaign drop ID number with an underscore at the beginning of the file name.

The Postalytics system can only match a mailing file to a campaign with a Campaign Drop ID Number, so it’s very important to include this in the file name format, in the specific way it is read by the system. Here is an example of the correct file name format for Automated File Campaigns:

1000676_myautomatedfile.xlsx

If you're not sure where to find the Drop ID for your campaign, you can find it on the Campaign Dashboard, next to the Campaign Name on the left side.


Three Ways to Upload Files

Now that your headers are confirmed and the file is named properly, you’re ready to upload it to the campaign. Uploading files to your campaign can be done in one of three ways.

  1. Through the Campaign Dashboard

  2. Within the Automated File Directory

  3. Via FTP (this is an advanced feature that most will not use and is covered in a separate article)

We’ll walk through upload options one and two, below.

Uploading Files Through the Campaign Dashboard

Uploading a file through the campaign dashboard is the simplest, most efficient way to upload a file to a specific campaign. 

Navigate to your Automated File Campaign’s dashboard. At the top left, under the Online Tracking toggle, select “Upload a File”.

A pop up will appear where you can upload a file. At the top you’ll see some options to view important tips and guides regarding files as well as another option to download a sample file for reference.

Drag & Drop or Click within the dashed box to upload your file. Once the file is within the box, click “Upload”.


Ideally, your file will be named properly as explained above, however, if it is not, like the sample above, the Postalytics system will add the drop ID to your file name, in the proper format, when this upload option is used.

Click “Upload” to continue.

It’s important to note that file headers are checked at this point to verify the headers are correct. 

If the file does not have the proper headers, it is rejected and you’ll see an Error message. The headers will need to be updated to match the originally mapped headers before you can move forward. Download a sample file here to append your headers then upload the file again.


If all is well with the file headers, you will receive a Success message back on the upload page.


You can now move on to upload additional files to the campaign, if you wish.

Uploading Files Within the Automated File Directory

The Automated File Directory is the second area where files can be uploaded for Automated File Campaigns. This is a great time saving option if you have files to upload for multiple Automated File Campaigns as it can be done in one place rather than each individual Campaign Dashboard.

To navigate to the Automated File Directory, select “Connect” from the main dropdown menu, then click on “Automated File Directory” on the left side menu, under the Connect section.


Although the Automated File Directory page is also where some of the campaign management options are, for the purposes of this article, we’ll only be reviewing the upload files features. Check out our help article Automated File Campaign - Management to learn more about the Campaign Management features within the Automated File Directory page.

To get started, click on “Upload a File”.

You’ll notice this screen looks similar to the pop up within the Campaign Dashboard, with the helpful tips, and sample file download at the top. This page differs due to the requirement to select the campaign you want to upload a file to. 

Click the dropdown menu under “Campaign to Upload to”.


Campaigns are listed by Campaign name and Drop ID number. There are two ways to find your campaign:

  • Use the scroll bar to find the correct campaign

 

  • Start typing in the campaign name in the search bar


Once the campaign is selected, drag and drop or click the box to upload the file. Click “Upload” to proceed.


Ideally, your file will be named properly as explained above, however, if it is not, the Postalytics system will add the drop ID to your file name, in the proper format, when this upload option is used.

Confirm the upload, and just like uploading a file through the Campaign Dashboard above, you’ll either receive a Success message if the headers are matched properly, or an Error message if the headers are not matched.


If it’s successful, you can then move on to uploading any additional files you have to any Automated File Campaigns that have been created, by selecting the campaign and repeating these steps.