How to create a data relationship between two data extensions (audiences)

Data relationships are necessary if you would like to look for members of one data extension (audience) that have a certain attribute, but are filtering from a separate data extension (audience). The two audiences need to have at least one similar field so that they can be connected to one another. Creating a data relationship will allow you to always filter between the two audiences (data extensions)

Create a data relationship between data extensions in Email Studio.

Before you start this procedure, you must create the data extensions that are involved in the relationship. After you do that and populate the data extensions with data, you can include information from a data extension in a message to subscribers.

 

1. To create new data relationship between the two data extensions that you have created, select "Email Studio" in the main navigation bar. 
2. Navigate to the Subscribers tab and choose "Data Relationships"
    
3. Select "Create" option. 
   
4. Fill out the "Name" field for your data relationship (Note: it is often handy to be descriptive in your name- if the data relationship relates your contacts data extension to a data extension containing all the campaign information a good name would be SHRS_Contacts_Campaigns)
5. It is always best practice to include a description, please also fill out the "Description" field.  The external key field will fill in automatically.
   
6. In the "Select left item" Field Type dropdown box, choose the data extension that you would like by navigating to it in the tree menu. 
7. In the "Select right item" Field Type ddropdown, choose the 2nd data extension that you want to relate by navigating to it in the tree menu.
8. The common fields that will link the tables together will appear in the row below. 
9. Click "Save" at the top of the left of the configuration screen you are on. 
10. The filter attributes will now appear in the filter fields when you create a new filtered data extension. 

Salesforce offers additional knowledge articles on this matter and they can be used as an additional references.