✂️🧩 Edit/Delete Global Vars

Edit and Delete vars globally or for a specific segment

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What's the problem?

By default, Sailthru offers no way to edit/delete vars on Global level. It can be done per account, but accross an entire account/audience hasn't been supported.

I've developed a method to fairly efficiently edit or delete variables for all or a segment of an audience in Sailthru. This process requires some manual setup but can be completed in about 10-15 minutes, with subsequent edits taking only about 5 minutes.

The method involves using an (LO) with a Smart List and a special self-cancelling HTML template that runs complex Zephyr code. Here's how to set it up:

Guide

Before getting started, make sure Triggers are enabled for HTML templates in your space. 'api_user()' might also require a setting enabled; contact your rep if you have issues getting that part working.

  1. Create a Smart List: Name it something like 'GlobalRemoveVars' and set the criteria to check for all profiles where 'NullField' exists. This should return 0 people, which is the desired starting state.

  2. Set Up the HTML Template: Use a special template that self-cancels and add a 'cancel' Trigger. This allows us to run complex Zephyr code in the LO, including the api_user() function to edit or add variables. This function is basically a User API call in POST mode.

HTML

This logic will always fail, thus always triggering the cancel() trigger.

{* self-cancels with trigger logic *}
{assert(false, "self cancels, see 'Triggers' logic")}

Trigger Criteria

Time: 0 minutes

Event: Cancel

Action: Custom Zephyr Script

Zephyr:

    {existingField = profile.vars.bad_field_name}
    {api_user({"vars" : {"GoodFieldName": existingField}})}

This logic can be modified as needed. More fields can be edited/added here, or more complex Zephyr can be used to modify the values too.

  1. Create an LO with the entry point of 'Audience Entry', then select the 'GlobalRemoveVars' Smart List.

  2. Then add a 'Send Email' step and select the newly created special HTML template.

  3. Next add a 2-minute wait step to account for potential delays in the cancel() trigger event. This is needed since the cancel() trigger can be delayed by a minute or two.

  4. Then, use the 'Remove Variable' step to delete the old variable name (e.g., "bad_field_name").

  5. Activate the LO. (while 0 people are being targeted in the Smart List)

  6. Update the Smart List: Change the logic to target the desired audience segment (e.g., profiles where 'bad_field_name' exists).

  7. Schedule the LO: Adjust the 'Check for new profiles in the list...' time to within the next 5-10 minutes.

  8. After all the Profiles have been processed, reset the Audience criteria to if 'NullField' exists. This prevents any accidental updates later.

  9. To re-run on a different date, update all instances of 'bad_field_name'(or whatever you used) throughout the steps, re-target audience members, then adjust the 'Audience Entry' setting 'Check for new profiles in the list...' time to within the next 5-10 minutes. Then it will re-run your edit/delete logic for your audience.

This approach can be adapted for various scenarios and can significantly streamline the process of managing variables globally in Sailthru.

Complete View

Audience (Initital)

LO

Template

HTML:

Trigger:

Audience (Updated)