SFTP
Use GrowthLoop audiences for file exports to SFTP.
Connect this destination to export audience membership as a delimited or JSON file, for use on your SFTP server.
This destination writes to your SFTP server and is a good fit when you want to:
- Drop files on a server you control rather than a paid-media or messaging API
- Match contacts on a unique identifier
- Write delimited or JSON files, with optional encryption
This maps to GrowthLoop Audiences and Journeys:
| Use it for | Audiences | Journeys |
|---|---|---|
| Dropping audience files on an SFTP server | ✓ | ✓ |
If a platform provisioned its own drop location, use that destination instead: Azure Blob Storage, LiveRamp SFTP, or Attentive. For object storage without SFTP, use Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage.
Prerequisites
Make sure you have:
- An SFTP server. This destination uses SFTP, typically on port
22. It does not use FTP. - A username and password, or an SSH private key. If you use a key, have the SSH Key Algorithm (
RSA/GPG,ED25519, orECDSA) and the key password if the key is protected. - The host, port, and upload folder GrowthLoop should write to.
- An encryption key if you will encrypt files: an AES256 passphrase, or an RSA/GPG public key.
Set up SFTP as a destination
- In GrowthLoop, click the Destinations tab on the left sidebar.
- Click New Destination in the top right corner.
- Search for SFTP and click Add SFTP.
- Enter the required information, then click Create.
NoteChoose either Username and Password, or an SSH Key. Do not leave both blank.
Destination details
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Destination Name | Name this destination in GrowthLoop. Use a name so your team recognizes its purpose, like "SFTP Export". |
| Sync Frequency | Set the default export frequency (for example, daily or weekly). You can override this setting for individual exports. |
Credentials
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Username | SFTP username. |
| Password | Password for that username. Leave this blank if you authenticate with an SSH key. |
| SSH Key | Private SSH key. Leave this blank if you authenticate with a password. |
| SSH Key Password | Password for the private key, if the key is protected. |
| SSH Key Algorithm | Required when you use an SSH key. Choose RSA/GPG, ED25519, or ECDSA. |
Upload Settings
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Host | SFTP hostname or IP address. |
| Port | SFTP port. This is typically 22. |
| Upload Folder | Directory GrowthLoop should write files to. GrowthLoop creates the folder if it does not exist. |
File Format
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Format | Delimited or JSON. |
| Delimiter | Character that separates fields in a delimited file. Defaults to ,. This applies to delimited files. |
| File Extension | Extension GrowthLoop appends to the filename. Defaults to csv. |
| Encryption Algorithm | AES256, RSA/GPG, or None. |
| Encryption Key | AES256 passphrase, or the RSA/GPG public key. Required when you encrypt files. |
| Prefix for Personalization Fields | Optional. Prefix GrowthLoop adds to personalization field names. Defaults to fw. Leave this blank for no prefix. If you set one, it must start with a letter and use up to 5 letters or numbers. |
| Columns to Export | Optional. Comma-separated warehouse column names. If you leave this blank, GrowthLoop exports all columns. |
| Exclude Internal Fields | Optional. Omits GrowthLoop-generated fields from the file. |
| Exclude Headers | Optional. Writes delimited files without a header row. This applies to delimited files. |
GrowthLoop validates the connection and the encryption key when you use encryption. SFTP then appears in your list of connected destinations.
Export to SFTP
From within GrowthLoop, export from an audience or from a journey Destination Node. See Export an audience or Build a journey if you need more information on these steps.
After building or selecting an audience, click Export, then search for SFTP. In a journey, add a Destination Node under SFTP and select SFTP.
Map identifiers
On an audience or in a journey Destination Node, map Unique Identifier. This destination requires a unique identifier for each row.
You can also map additional fields, including custom attributes from the audience or from the journey.
Configure the export
This is where you set the campaign type and schedule for audience exports. On a journey Destination Node, you set timing on the journey canvas.
| Setting | Audience export | Journey Destination Node |
|---|---|---|
| Export Name | Defaults to the audience name. GrowthLoop uses this in the filename. | Required. Enter a name so you can find the export in GrowthLoop and in the filename. |
| Campaign type | Choose a one-time or ongoing export. | The journey schedule controls when the journey runs and files are sent to SFTP. |
| Export Inclusion Criteria | All audience members for a full refresh, or Newly added audience members for additions and removals since the last export. | The journey sends contacts who reach this node. |
| Schedule | Set frequency, start date, end date, and days of the week for ongoing exports. | Users reach this node when the journey runs. Add a Delay Node or set Criteria Evaluation to control timing. |
| Personalization Fields | Extra columns for this export. By default, GrowthLoop sends the destination Columns to Export. | Extra columns for this export. |
Export behavior
This is what GrowthLoop writes when you export an audience.
| Behavior | What happens |
|---|---|
| What GrowthLoop writes | A file over SFTP into the Upload Folder. Direction is GrowthLoop → your SFTP server. |
| When it runs | GrowthLoop sends the export as a batch on the next successful run. An export that starts Now runs within about 15 minutes. Journeys send exports on demand when users reach the Destination Node. |
| Match field | Unique Identifier is required. |
| File format | Delimited or JSON, using the File Extension you set. |
| Filename | {export name}-{timestamp}.{file extension}, with the export name slugified. |
| Encryption | GrowthLoop encrypts the file contents when you select AES256 or RSA/GPG. The filename stays the same. |
| Columns to Export | If you set this on the destination, GrowthLoop limits the file to those columns unless you add personalization fields. |
| One-time exports | GrowthLoop uploads current membership once. |
| Ongoing exports | Each run uploads a new timestamped file. |
| Deletes | GrowthLoop does not delete files on the server. |
Confirm the export was successful
When the run finishes, confirm you can use the data on your SFTP server.
- Audience export: Open the Upload Folder and look up the latest
{export name}-{timestamp}.{file extension}. - Journey Destination Node: Open the Upload Folder and look up the file named after the export.
In GrowthLoop, review counts on the audience Exports tab, or open the Activity tab on the journey Destination Node. See Export an audience or Monitor a journey for more information.
Congrats on successfully exporting to SFTP!
Troubleshooting
These are the issues we see most often. You can always email us at [email protected] for help.
| Problem | Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Connection fails to validate | Host, Port, or authentication is wrong | Confirm the SFTP host and port (typically 22). Use a username and password, or an SSH key plus SSH Key Algorithm |
| Authentication fails | Both password and SSH key are blank, or the key is missing an algorithm | Enter one auth method. When you use a key, select RSA/GPG, ED25519, or ECDSA |
| The export cannot write the file | The user cannot write to Upload Folder | Grant write access to that folder, or choose a folder the user can write to |
| You cannot find the file | You opened a different folder than Upload Folder | Open the folder you entered during destination setup |
| The filename does not match the audience name | GrowthLoop slugifies Export Name and appends a timestamp | Search the folder for the slugified export name |
| Encryption fails to validate | The Encryption Key does not match Encryption Algorithm | Use an AES256 passphrase for AES256, or an RSA/GPG public key for RSA/GPG |
| The file looks unreadable | You selected AES256 or RSA/GPG | Decrypt the file with the matching key. The filename does not change when GrowthLoop encrypts the contents |
| Expected columns are missing | Columns to Export or Personalization Fields omit those columns | Add the columns on the destination or on the export |
| Rows fail to export | Unique Identifier is not mapped | Map Unique Identifier |
Updated 7 days ago