What are the various types of Data Extensions in Salesforce Marketing Cloud ?

Hello Prachi,

Data Extensions are repository or list of emails to send. Data extension is made up of any combinations of these field types:

1. Text - letters, numbers, and spaces.
2. Number - Decimal values are not supported.
3. Date - A system date. You can use an AMPscript function to format this value when you present it in a message.
4. Boolean - A 0 or 1 value.
5. Email Address - An email address.
6. Phone - A phone number. Accepts any string with 10 or 11 digits in it and strips out non-digit characters.
7. Decimal - A number with a decimal point.
8. Local – ISO Country & Language codes

Data Extension(DE) are similar to table in DMBS database system, it has unique structure to hold different types of data.

Following are types of Data Extension:

1. Standard Data Extension
   1. Sendable Data Extension
   2. Non-Sendable Data Extension
   3. Testable Data Extension
   4. Template based Data Extension (Eg: Send log DE, Triggered Send DE)
2. Filter Data Extension
3. Random Data Extension

If your Marketing Cloud is connected with Salesforce org, you will Synchronised Data Extension (Salesforce_Contact, Saleaforce_lead), you cannot create this kind DE, this will be created by system while introducing the Salesforce Objects in Salesforce Marketing Cloud.

Also you night have noticed, Salesforce Data Extension, these DEs are derived from Salesforce objects or reports.