Creating an SFMC app - A new technical challenge

?? Excited to share my latest venture into the Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC) universe! As a developer, I've always dreamt of crafting an app that would streamline my workflow and shave hours off my projects. Well, the stars aligned when I decided to level up my Python and Django skills, and with a bit of guidance from ChatGPT, my digital mentor, I took on the challenge headfirst. (It also helps me make this content more spicy. I actually like how it exaggerates things a lot in a funny way.)

At first, I needed an idea. What's this app going to be about? A simple yet arduous task – creating Data Extensions based on the CSV files to import them, a process often riddled with human error due to its repetitive nature. It was clear, my mission was set – to automate, simplify, and error-proof this process by retrieving field names, types and lengths from the files without needing manual input.

Key Features for the app

• Header Retrieval: Automatically extracts field names from CSV/TXT file headers.
• Field Type Mapping: Intelligently determines field types based on data patterns.
• Import Feedback: Offers insights on file attributes such as encoding and column consistency.
• Large-File Flexibility: Optimized for large files, with a default limit of 2 MB, adjustable based on user requirements.
• Robust Error Handling: Manages incorrect file formats and size limitations gracefully.
• Field Customization: Users can reorder, add, or remove fields, and adjust field types directly from the dashboard.
• Efficient Data Extension Creation: Utilizes a "Go Back" feature to rapidly create multiple Data Extensions without data loss.

This app turns the tedious drag-and-drop routine into a breeze, bringing a dash of simplicity to data handling. I dove into the world of Python, starting with a humble "import pandas" – a tiny step for the Python pros but a giant leap for this SFMC developer!

Design? That's where art meets science. It's one thing to make an app work; it's another to make it a joy to use. Cue Isabella Enryd , who helped me turn the ugly UI below into a more beautiful one with her valuable feedback.

?? Then came the launchpad: Heroku. The go-to for hosting SFMC apps, it was the perfect fit for my project. But what's a great app if it's not shared?

When this is all done, I needed a rode map for publishing the app. The comprehensive guide I found was: https://quip.com/yq1iAduO5OeU

This was really great about understanding what needs to be done and where to start for publishing an app for Marketing Cloud. AppExchange Security Review must be done and app must be registered for listing by entering related information.

Unfortunately, when I registered the app for AppExchange as a free SFMC app, I have been informed that free apps are not accepted anymore due to the high costs. That changed my plan and I decided to publish it as a public repository on Github to help people who can benefit from it.

?? You can find it here: https://github.com/selimsevim/de_import_ease

My quest for innovation is just beginning. I'm eager to continue adding to my GitHub portfolio, and I can't wait to see how my work can empower others in their SFMC endeavors.

?? A heartfelt shoutout to Alexander Mellbin and Erik Ivarsson for their unwavering support. They always listened and motivated me in this journey.

Got questions or curious to learn more? Let's connect and dive into the details. Your feedback and experiences fuel my journey!

?? Here's another images for the app: