Can I combine Data Extensions that do not have any matching columns?

Note: This feature is available in DESelect Plus and DESelect Advanced.

Yes. DESelect has made it possible to combine Data Extensions that do not have any matching columns with the use of the Row Number function.

For example, how can the user combine Customers and Vouchers Data Extensions to randomly match one voucher to a customer?

Selection Criteria

On the Home page, click on New to create a new selection.

Drag the Customers Data Extension to the Selected Data Extensions section.

Target Definition

Hit the Create Data Extension button, enter a name, e.g. Customers with Row Number, and press Save.

Add all the fields from Customers Data Extension by clicking the Add all fields button.

Now, add a new Custom Value:

• Under Custom Values, click Add new value.
• Under Name, enter: Row Number and hit Next.
• Choose Type: Apply formula to a field.
• Choose Type: Row Number.
• On the first drop-down list with the label Data Extension, choose Customers.
• On the second drop-down list with the label Field, choose ID.
• On the third drop-down list with the label Order, choose Ascending and hit Save.
• Add the Row Number field to the Target Data Extension fields.
• Hit Save Data Extension and Create.

Preview

When the user clicks Run Preview on the Preview screen, the Customer with Row Number Data Extension should look like this.

The user can now click on the Run button to run the selection.

Repeat the steps accordingly for Vouchers Data Extension. In the end, the Target Data Extension should look like this.

Now, the user can combine the Customers and Vouchers Data Extension using the Row Number column.

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