Deleting a dataflow in Adobe Experience Platform (AEP) is a straightforward process, essential for managing your data pipelines and removing outdated or unneeded configurations. It helps maintain a clean and efficient environment for your data operations.
Understanding Dataflows in AEP
Before diving into deletion, it's good to remember that AEP dataflows are the automated processes that bring data from various sources into your Experience Platform environment. They can be scheduled, paused, and, when necessary, deleted.
Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting a Dataflow
To remove a dataflow from your AEP instance, follow these simple steps:
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Navigate to the Dataflows Section:
- Log in to your Adobe Experience Platform account.
- In the left navigation, locate and select the Sources workspace.
- Within the Sources workspace, find the Dataflows tab. This tab lists all the dataflows you have configured, whether active, disabled, or completed.
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Identify the Target Dataflow:
- Browse through the list of dataflows to locate the specific dataflow you wish to delete. You might use the search bar or filters to quickly find it if you have many dataflows.
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Access Dataflow Options:
- Once you have identified the dataflow, look for the ellipses (...) situated beside the dataflow's name. This icon indicates more options are available.
- Clicking these ellipses will open a dropdown menu, presenting several management actions for that particular dataflow.
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Select the Delete Option:
- From the dropdown menu that appears, you will see options such as "Edit schedule," "Disable dataflow," and "Delete."
- Select Delete to initiate the removal process for the dataflow.
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Confirm Deletion:
- A confirmation prompt will typically appear, asking you to confirm your decision to delete the dataflow. This is a safety measure to prevent accidental deletions.
- Confirm your action to permanently remove the dataflow.
What Happens After Deletion?
- Data Ingestion Stops: Once deleted, the dataflow will no longer pull data from the configured source into AEP.
- No Impact on Existing Data: Deleting a dataflow does not remove data that has already been ingested into AEP through that dataflow. The data remains in your datasets and profiles. You would need to manage ingested datasets separately if you wish to remove historical data.
- Configuration Removed: All the scheduling and transformation configurations associated with that dataflow are permanently removed.
When to Delete a Dataflow?
Consider deleting a dataflow in situations such as:
- Obsolete Integrations: The source system is no longer used, or the data integration is no longer required.
- Reconfiguration: You need to completely rebuild a dataflow from scratch due to significant changes in requirements or data structure.
- Error Resolution: A dataflow is consistently failing, and rebuilding it is a more effective solution than troubleshooting complex issues.
- Resource Management: To clean up your AEP environment and remove unnecessary or inactive dataflows, optimizing resource usage and visibility.
Example Scenario
Imagine you set up a dataflow to bring in customer loyalty data from an old CRM system. The company has now migrated to a new CRM, and the old dataflow is no longer needed. By following the steps above, you can easily delete this obsolete dataflow, ensuring no outdated data is accidentally ingested and keeping your AEP environment organized.
For more detailed information on managing dataflows, refer to the official Adobe Experience Platform documentation on Source Connectors.
