View contact export history in ActiveCampaign

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View contact export history in ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign provides a useful feature for users to view their contact export history. This feature is important because it allows users to track their data exports, ensuring they have access to the information they need, when they need it. Whether you are exporting all contacts, a single contact, lists, segments, or advanced searches, having a clear history of these actions is essential for maintaining effective data management.

How to Access This Feature

To access your contact export history, follow these steps:

1. **Log in** to your ActiveCampaign account. 2. Click on Contacts in the left menu. 3. Select Exports.

The Exports page will present you with a comprehensive list of all contact exports you have performed.

Step-by-Step Instructions with Detailed Explanations

To effectively view your contact export history, follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. **Access the Exports Page:**

  - After logging in, select Contacts from the left-hand menu.
  - Click on Exports.

  This will take you to the Exports page where you can see all your export activities.

2. **Viewing Past Exports:**

  - On the Exports page, you will see a list detailing each export action you have taken. 
  - Each entry displays various pieces of information including the date and time the export was created, the number of contacts included in the export, the current status of the export, and available export actions.

3. **Review Export Conditions:**

  - Click the arrow next to the timestamp of any export entry. This action will open a new tab in your browser that displays the specific conditions used to create that export.
  - For example, if you exported a contact list, you will see the name of that list. If you used a segment or an advanced search, the relevant conditions will be visible as well.

4. **Understanding Export Statuses:**

  - Each export entry will have one of the following statuses:
    * **Finished**: Indicates that the export was successful and you can download the results. Exports with this status remain available for download for 7 days before they're marked as Expired. 
    * **Expired**: This status means the download link for this export is no longer valid. If a download is needed after expiration, you may click Retry under Actions and proceed to re-export.
    * **Failed**: This indicates that the export was not successful. You can attempt to re-export by clicking Retry under Actions.

5. **Export Actions:**

  - You have two main actions for each export:
    * **Download**: This allows you to download the export results directly.
    * **Retry**: If you encounter issues with an export, clicking this option will open a new tab for you to re-export the data.

Configuration Options and Settings

While exporting contacts, you can configure certain options which impact the success and organization of your exports. Important terms include:

• Export Conditions: Defined by the selections you make during the export process, these include the choice of exporting all contacts, a specific contact, lists, segments, or advanced searches.

• Export Statuses: These indicate whether your export was successful, expired, or failed, helping you track the health of your data exports.

• Export Actions: The two actions you can perform—downloading the export or retrying an export—provide flexibility in managing your data.

Best Practices and Tips

To maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your contact export history management, consider the following best practices:

1. **Review Export Growth**: Continually check the Exports page to understand your export patterns and determine if you need to adjust your approaches or settings.

2. **Manage Special Characters**: Ensure that you avoid using special characters (e.g., !, #, $, etc.) in export names to prevent export files from saving as text documents instead of CSV files.

3. **Regularly Download Exports**: To keep your data up-to-date, regularly download exports while they are still in the Finished status. After seven days, you run the risk of the link expiring.

Common Use Cases with Examples

Here are some common use cases for viewing your contact export history in ActiveCampaign:

• **Marketing Campaigns**: Before launching a marketing campaign, you might want to export all contacts to analyze the data and plan your strategy. By checking the Exports page, you can ensure that your recent export was successful.

• **Data Analysis**: If you're performing detailed analysis on customer engagement, you might export specific segments. Reviewing your export history gives you insight into which segments you’ve processed before and their conditions.

• **Compliance Audits**: For compliance and data review purposes, regularly exporting contact data is essential. The Exports feature allows you to keep track of how and when data is exported.

Troubleshooting Section

If you encounter issues while using the View contact export history feature, consider the following solutions:

• **Export Fails**: If your export shows status as Failed, click Retry and attempt the export again. Ensure that the conditions set for the export meet your requirements.

• **Expired Exports**: If you see an export marked as Expired, consider executing a new export by clicking Retry to initiate the process again.

• **File Format Issues**: If your export file opens as a text document, revisit your original export and ensure you have not used special characters in the export file name.

FAQ Section

1. How can I view my past exports?

You can view your past exports by clicking on Contacts and then selecting Exports from the left menu.

2. What information is displayed for each export?

Each export entry shows the date and time of creation, the number of contacts included, the current status, and available actions.

3. What does the status 'Expired' mean?

An export with an Expired status indicates that the download link is no longer valid after 7 days.

4. What should I do if my export fails?

If your export fails, you can click Retry under Actions to attempt the export again.

5. Can I see the conditions used for my exports?

Yes, you can view the conditions by clicking the arrow next to the timestamp of the export, which will open a new tab with these details.

6. How long can I download a finished export?

You can download an export marked as Finished for up to 7 days; after that, it will be marked as Expired.

7. What happens if I use special characters in my export name?

Using special characters may cause the export file to save as a text document rather than a CSV. To avoid this, rename your export without special characters.

By following these instructions and utilizing the View contact export history feature effectively, you can ensure accurate data management within your ActiveCampaign account. ```