Creating a FilterDefinition Object

Use the FilterDefinition object to separate out information for a data source, such as a subscriber list or a data extension. Use the sample code below as a model for creating your own API call.

The FilterDefinition object contains the following important properties:

All date values for a simple filter part must go into the DateValue collection.

  • ObjectID - The Marketing Cloud application generates a unique identifier for this property upon creation.
  • CustomerKey - A client-supplied identifier for the filter. This must be unique across all FilterDefinitions owned by the client.
  • Name - The name of the filter must be unique, but do not use the name for lookup purposes.
  • Description - The description of the filter.
  • DataSource- Specifies whether the filter is list-based or data-extension-based. If the filter is based on a data extension, supply a DataExtension object. Otherwise, leave this value null and the filter uses profile attributes.
  • DataFilter- This property specifies the rules associated with the filter. You can include measures here.

DataFilter Valid Values for Specific Data Types

Data TypeValid Values
BooleanTrue or False
DateShortDate (date with no time)
ListNot supported
NumericBigint

DataFilter Valid SimpleOperator Types

Data TypeValid Values
BooleanEquals
Date
  • equals
  • notEquals
  • isAnniversary
  • isNotAnniversary
  • greaterThan
  • greaterThanAnniversary
  • lessThan
  • lessThanAnniversary
List
  • equals
  • notEquals
Numeric
  • equals
  • notEquals
  • greaterThan
  • greaterThanOrEqual
Text
  • equals
  • notEquals
  • greaterThan
  • greaterThanOrEqual
  • lessThan
  • lessThanOrEqual
  • existsInString
  • existsInStringAsAWord
  • notExistsInString
  • beginsWith

Sample .NET Code to Create a FilterDefinition Object

The sample code below sets up a filter definition with a complex filter based on the criteria below:

Using this criteria, the API performs the call on the test_subject_line data extension:

Sample .NET Code toUpdate a FilterDefinition Object

The update call supports both CustomerKey and ObjectID as identifiers to specify which FilterDefinition to update. The API requires both the DataExtension and DataFilter to update a FilterDefinition object.

Sample SOAP Envelope - Create a Filter Definition Using Profile Attributes

Sample SOAP Envelope - Create a Filter Definition For a Data Extension