Add Column to a Data Extension

This page contains information about adding a new column to an existing data extension.

Why Add a New Column to an Existing Data Extension

Depending on your data storage needs, you might need to add more information to a data extension in a column not currently included in that data extension. This procedure allows you to add more information regarding your subscribers to an existing data extension without having to create a new data extension or transfer data into that data extension.

How To Add a New Column to an Existing Data Extension

Use the sample code below to create your own API calls to add the new column.

Sample Java Code (Axis 1.4)

public void testUpdateDataExtension() throws RemoteException {
    Soap stub = init();
    DataExtension dataExtension = new DataExtension();
    dataExtension.setCustomerKey("CustomerKey");
    DataExtensionField f = new DataExtensionField();
    f.setName("HTMLContent");
    f.setCustomerKey("HTMLContent_Key");
    f.setMaxLength(new Integer(4000));
    dataExtension.setFields(new DataExtensionField[]{f});
    UpdateOptions updateOptions = new UpdateOptions();
    SaveOption option = new SaveOption();
    option.setPropertyName("DataExtension");
    option.setSaveAction(SaveAction.UpdateOnly);
    updateOptions.setSaveOptions(new SaveOption[]{option});
    UpdateRequest updateRequest = new UpdateRequest(updateOptions, new APIObject[]{dataExtension});
    UpdateResponse updateResponse = stub.update(updateRequest);
    System.out.println("updateResponse :::: " + updateResponse.getOverallStatus());
}

Sample PHP Code

Use the example code in the PHP API Starter Kit.

Sample SOAP Envelope

<soapenv:Envelope xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
    <soapenv:Header>
        <wsse:Security soapenv:mustUnderstand="1" xmlns:wsse="http://docs.oasis-open.org/wss/2004/01/oasis-200401-wss-wssecurity-secext-1.0.xsd">
            <wsse:UsernameToken wsu:Id="UsernameToken-5501096" xmlns:wsu="http://docs.oasis-open.org/wss/2004/01/oasis-200401-wss-wssecurity-utility-1.0.xsd">
                <wsse:Username>XXX</wsse:Username> 
                <wsse:Password Type="http://docs.oasis-open.org/wss/2004/01/oasis-200401-wss-username-token-profile-1.0#PasswordText">XXX</wsse:Password> 
            </wsse:UsernameToken>
        </wsse:Security>
    </soapenv:Header>
    <soapenv:Body>
        <UpdateRequest xmlns="http://exacttarget.com/wsdl/partnerAPI">
            <Options /> 
            <Objects xsi:type="ns1:DataExtension" xmlns:ns1="http://exacttarget.com/wsdl/partnerAPI">
                <CustomerKey>8533EC32-5E12-4599-B279-0369EFCB38E3</CustomerKey> 
                <Fields>
                    <Field>
                        <Name>New Field</Name> 
                        <MaxLength>200</MaxLength> 
                        <IsRequired>true</IsRequired> 
                    </Field>
                </Fields>
            </Objects>
        </UpdateRequest>
    </soapenv:Body>
</soapenv:Envelope>

Related Items

PHP API Starter Kit