Here are a few Data Extension (DE) tricks to save you some time:
Faster Times
Avoid adding fields to DEs at the top or bottom of the hour. Your data center’s server load adversely affects the required back-end update tasks and increase the likelihood of your DE changes timing out.
Fewer Drill-downs
Duplicate DEs to the root folder and then move them in multiples to the final folder structure. It saves time if you don’t have to drill-down in the folder selector for every DE.
Flexible Copy
If you need to copy a DE, go through the Create process and choose Create from Existing from the Creation Method selector. This gives you an opportunity to add/update the fields — their names, data types, primary key options and default values — in the copy.
Query Studio Create
You can create generic data extensions using Query Studio. Sometimes it’s easier to create a DE with a query, copy and update it to suit. Be sure you reset or remove the 1 day retention in your copy. This works well with the Create from Existing tip.
A hearty tip-of-the-hat to my DEG team for their contributions.