ActivationPlatformActvAttr Metadata Type in SFDX

Architectural Overview#

The ActivationPlatformActvAttr (Activation Platform Activation Attribute) metadata type binds specific Data Cloud Data Model Object (DMO) fields to an external ActivationPlatform. When an enterprise or ISV partner designs a reusable activation target—such as an ad-network connector or cloud data warehouse feed—certain profile attributes (like FirstName, LastName, Loyalty_Tier__c, or HasOptedOutSolicit) must always be included and mapped to standardized destination field keys.

By declaring ActivationPlatformActvAttr records in SFDX source format, architects ensure that every activation created against that ActivationPlatform automatically inherits the required DMO-to-destination attribute mappings without manual field picking by marketing users.

Directory and File Conventions#

In SFDX source format (apiVersion 68.0), ActivationPlatformActvAttr components reside in the activationPlatformActvAttrs directory.

Key Metadata Fields#

The ActivationPlatformActvAttr XML schema exposes the following core fields:

Declarative XML and Package Manifest Examples#

The following example maps the ssot__FirstName__c field from the Unified Individual DMO (ssot__Individual__dlm) to the first_name field on Enterprise_DSP_Platform:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<ActivationPlatformActvAttr xmlns="http://soap.sforce.com/2006/04/metadata">
    <activationPlatform>Enterprise_DSP_Platform</activationPlatform>
    <activationPlatformField>DSP_First_Name_Field</activationPlatformField>
    <destinationName>first_name</destinationName>
    <entityName>ssot__Individual__dlm</entityName>
    <fieldName>ssot__FirstName__c</fieldName>
    <isRequired>false</isRequired>
    <masterLabel>DSP Individual First Name Attribute</masterLabel>
</ActivationPlatformActvAttr>

Package Manifest (package.xml)#

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Package xmlns="http://soap.sforce.com/2006/04/metadata">
    <types>
        <members>Enterprise_DSP_Platform</members>
        <name>ActivationPlatform</name>
    </types>
    <types>
        <members>DSP_First_Name_Field</members>
        <name>ActivationPlatformField</name>
    </types>
    <types>
        <members>DSP_Indiv_FirstName_Attr</members>
        <name>ActivationPlatformActvAttr</name>
    </types>
    <version>68.0</version>
</Package>

SOQL Queries and CLI Automation#

Inspect ActivationPlatformActvAttr records via SOQL or deploy using Salesforce CLI:

SELECT Id, DeveloperName, MasterLabel, EntityName,
       FieldName, DestinationName, IsRequired
FROM ActivationPlatformActvAttr
ORDER BY DeveloperName ASC

# Retrieve all ActivationPlatformActvAttr components
sf project retrieve start --metadata "ActivationPlatformActvAttr:*"

# Deploy a specific ActivationPlatformActvAttr component
sf project deploy start --metadata ActivationPlatformActvAttr:DSP_Indiv_FirstName_Attr

Architect Best Practices and Gotchas#

• DMO Prerequisite: The DMO specified in entityName (ssot__Individual__dlm or custom DMO) and its fieldName must already exist in the target Data Cloud Data Space before deploying ActivationPlatformActvAttr.
• Deploy Order: Deploy ActivationPlatform and ActivationPlatformField prior to (or in the same transaction as) ActivationPlatformActvAttr so foreign key references resolve cleanly.

Frequently asked questions

What is the role of ActivationPlatformActvAttr in Data Cloud?

It defines the default Data Model Object (DMO) attributes—such as Loyalty Tier, Lifetime Value, or Consent Status—that are included when activating a segment to a specific ActivationPlatform.

Which parent metadata type does ActivationPlatformActvAttr depend on?

Each ActivationPlatformActvAttr component references a parent ActivationPlatform and a target ActivationPlatformField.

Where are ActivationPlatformActvAttr files stored in SFDX source format?

They are stored in force-app/main/default/activationPlatformActvAttrs with the .activationPlatformActvAttr-meta.xml file extension.

Can users add extra attributes at runtime beyond those in ActivationPlatformActvAttr?

Yes. ActivationPlatformActvAttr defines the default or required platform attributes, and users configuring an activation can append additional DMO or Calculated Insight attributes if the platform allows.