Data patches
What a data patch is, when to use one in place of a new connection, which channels can take a patch, and which columns a patch sheet needs.
A data patch is a Google Sheet of extra rows that Prescient lays over the data of a connected channel. The connection stays as it is. The patch adds rows that the connection cannot give, or corrects rows that are wrong at the source.
| Term | What the product says |
|---|---|
| Data patch | Overlay a Google Sheet of supplemental rows on this channel's data. |
When do you use a data patch?
Section titled “When do you use a data patch?”Use a patch when the platform connection is correct for most dates and wrong or empty for some. A common case is a gap in historical ad spend.
Do not use a patch as the only source of a channel. A patch needs a live connection below it. If you supply the whole data of a channel yourself, connect the channel through Google Sheets, a warehouse, or a file location.
Which channels can take a patch?
Section titled “Which channels can take a patch?”| Subject | Rule |
|---|---|
| Source of a patch | A data patch is always a named range of a Google Sheet. |
| Channels that can take a patch | The channel has a live connection, and you do not supply the data of the channel through Google Sheets, a warehouse, or a file location. |
| Categories that can take a patch | Advertising, analytics, e-commerce, and retail channels can take a patch. Conversion channels and other channels cannot. |
A channel that you already supply from a sheet, a warehouse, or a file location cannot take a patch. Correct that source directly.
Which columns does a patch sheet need?
Section titled “Which columns does a patch sheet need?”| Subject | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Columns of a patch sheet | A patch sheet uses the columns of the category of the channel. The key columns are required. The main metric columns are optional in a patch. |
| Column names of a patch sheet | A patch sheet always uses the Google Sheets column names of the category, for each connection method of the channel. The date column is created_date. |
| Sharing instructions | The left side of the data patch dialog shows the instructions to share a Google Sheet with Prescient. |
| Change of a patch | A change of the sheet or the named range drops the last test result. Test the patch again. |
The key columns are the date and the columns that make a row unique, for example the campaign of an advertising row. For the full list of columns for each type, see Data requirements.
How do you know that a patch works?
Section titled “How do you know that a patch works?”Data Center tests the sheet when you save the patch, and the row of the channel shows the badge Patch. If a later test fails, the badge changes to Patch failing. See How do you read the state of a patch.