Mapp Engage allows a user to create Custom Attributes, but the deletion or change of data type is not possible via the Mapp Engage user interface.

Changing an attribute data type

An attribute can be created in one of several data types (Boolean, Date, String, Number), and each has specific characteristics, and for example, you cannot do numerical sorting on a number if it is stored in a string attribute, and if you need to change this, you will need to change the data type.

Mapp can do this change on request, but if an attribute contains a value that cannot be coerced into the new data type, it will be deleted: For example, if you store numbers in a string field, this is possible, and the conversion should convert the "text" numbers to "numerical" numbers, this will work, but if any of the attributes contain any other characters other than a number, that attribute value will be deleted.

You must understand the possible issues involved in changing the data type of an attribute. If you are certain that the attribute type can be changed without risk, you must make a written request to your Account Manager specifying your Mapp Engage system, the attribute to change, and the new data type to set.

If you are unsure if this could cause problems, please contact your Account Manager to set up a technical review of your system.

Deleting an attribute

An attribute cannot be deleted in the interface, only archived. Archiving an attribute will remove it from the list, and it will no longer display in the attribute list, but it will still be available for selections, imports, and exports.

Once an attribute is deleted from the system, all associated data stored in the attribute will be deleted from the system, and you will no longer be able to use this attribute in your campaigns, selections, triggers, or whiteboards.

If you have any processes that still use this attribute, they will no longer work correctly after the deletion, so you must be certain that your deletion request will not cause problems to your existing processes and workflows.

If you are certain that the attribute(s) can be deleted without risk, you must do 2 operations :

  • Archive the attribute(s) you want to delete via the User Interface,
  • Make a written request to your Account Manager specifying your Mapp Engage system and the attribute(s) to delete.

Please note that Mapp will not delete any attributes that have not been set to "Archived" status by the system user.

If you are unsure if this could cause problems, please contact your Account Manager to set up a technical review of your system.

Backup the attribute before making changes

Before any attribute deletion or type change, we strongly recommend that you export the contacts from your Engage system, via a Raw Data Export, and specify the attribute you want to change in the export parameters and download the list, so in case of issues, you will be able to restore the value if needed.

Knowledge Base Reference ID: 202202271328