ClaimRowValue

ClaimRowValue

Like the ClaimRow function, ClaimRowValue returns a single row from a Data Extension and reserves the values to prevent them from being used by another operation. If a row is found and is unclaimed, the designated claimed column is set to true and data from that row is returned. Unlike ClaimRow, if no unclaimed rows are available in the Data Extension, this function will return the value specified in the fourth parameter. Claimed rows can be used again if the designated claimed column changes back to false.

Generally speaking, you might choose to use the ClaimRowValue function over the ClaimRow function when you have a default value that can be presented to your Subscribers.

To utilize the ClaimRowValue function, you will need a Data Extension with some specific characteristics. At a minimum, your Data Extension must include the following:

1. a Boolean column that indicates claimed status, where true is claimed and false is unclaimed
2. a nullable column that represents the object or recipient claiming the row.

Arguments

ClaimRowValue(1,2,3,4,5,6,[7a,7b]...)

NOTE: Additional pairs of columns and values can be appended as arguments.

NOTE: The Data Extension name in the ClaimRowValue function cannot be an AMPscript variable.

NOTE: By default, this function does not support primary keys like the other update and upsert Data Extension functions. Additional name/value pairs of arguments are only for recording additional information at the time the row is claimed, not for retrieving coupons using additional values. Marketing Cloud Support may be able to alter this default behavior by adding explicit indexes to your coupon data extension, per this documentation.

Example 1

The following illustrates the use of this function with the minimum number of arguments.

A sample Data Extension schema for the ClaimRowValue example is provided below.

Data Extension: CouponCodes

The CouponCodes Data Extension could include these initial rows:

In this example, checking the _messageContext personalization string allows the coupon codes to be preserved while testing the AMPscript function.

%%[

var @em, @defaultCoupon

set @defaultCoupon = "SAVE30"

if _messagecontext == "PREVIEW" then

    set @couponCode = "XX TEST XX"

else

    /* include the send context attributes or columns to record here */
    set @em = AttributeValue("emailAddr")

    set @couponCode = ClaimRowValue("CouponCodes", "CouponCode", "IsClaimed", @defaultCoupon, "EmailAddress", @em)

endif

]%%

Coupon code: %%=v(@couponCode)=%%

Output

If the AMPscript code referenced previously was executed in an email send to a single Subscriber, doug@limedash.com, the following would appear in the email:

Use this coupon code: SJOCYUNGIX

The result of the ClaimRowValue function would result in this claimed row in the CouponCodes Data Extension:

If the same code is used and there were no available coupons for claiming, then the function would return the default value specified in the fourth parameter:

Use this coupon code: SAVE30

Example 2