[SalesForce] SSJS to call Content Block with AMPscript

Use case: Through automation studio, a script activity is use to call and reference a content area through the "ContentAreaByName" function. That content area contains AMPscript that performs specific functions. This idea come from and was detailed through this thread:

Using AMPscript with SSJS Activities

The process works great, but with classic content nearing retirement I would love to be replicate this with Content Builder. The issue is that whenever I build a Content Block instead of Content Area, and call either the "ContentBlockByName" or "ContentBlockById" functions the script errors every time. The AMPscript is validated and works as a Content Area, but will not work as a Content Block. The function I use is as below:

<script runat="server">
    Platform.Load("Core","1.1.3");
    var stream = ContentBlockById("[ContentBlockId]");
    Write(TreatAsContent(stream));     
</script>

Has anybody been able to achieve this?

Best Answer

I've accomplished this by using the following SSJS:

<script runat="server">
 var ampscriptCode = Platform.Function.ContentBlockByID("####");
</script>

The AMPscript was held in a regular HTML content block in Content Builder.

Platform Server-side JavaScript functions

Related Solutions

[SalesForce] Using AMPscript in a Script Activity

Server-Side JavaScript gives us more flexibility. We can use Ampscript in Script Activities. I have used it. I am not claiming that this is the best solution, but we can do the same using some tricky way like this:

<script runat="server">
Platform.Load("core","1.1.1");

var sfUpdateString;
var subId = "abc123";   // Assuming subkey is available to process

sfUpdateString = '';
sfUpdateString = '%'+'%[SET @status = UpdateSingleSalesforceObject("Subscription__c","'+subId+'"';
sfUpdateString += ',"Opt_in_Email__c","0","Opt_out_Date_Email__c",Format(Now(),"yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ss"))]%'+'%'; 

Platform.Function.TreatAsContent(sfUpdateString);
Write(Platform.Variable.GetValue("@status")); // For display Status (testing purpose)

</script>

There are two main important steps :

Step-1. Create a string variable that contains Ampscript block like this

sfUpdateString = '';
sfUpdateString = '%'+'%[SET @status = UpdateSingleSalesforceObject("Subscription__c","'+subId+'"';
sfUpdateString += ',"Opt_in_Email__c","0","Opt_out_Date_Email__c",Format(Now(),"yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ss"))]%'+'%';

Step-2. Call SSJS function TreatAsContent to renders all included dynamic content.

Here is reference for TreatAsContent with SSJS

Platform.Function.TreatAsContent(sfUpdateString);
Write(Platform.Variable.GetValue("@status")); // For display Status (testing purpose)

[SalesForce] How to call a Content Block into an Email built with Content Builder

For content stored inside of ContentBuilder, you will need to use the 'new' AMPscript functions. Not sure on the details of why, but in building Content Builder / Email Studio, they completely removed the storage location from the previous Portfolio section. The bad thing about this is that a lot of options that previously worked, no longer work on Content Builder stuff.

To answer your question you will need to use either:

ContentBlockByID (%%=ContentBlockbyID("384201")=%%)

ContentBlockByKey (%%=ContentBlockbyKey("myContentBlock")=%%)

You should be able to find both of these easily inside the properties field of the content area.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

[SalesForce] Using AMPscript in a Script Activity

[SalesForce] How to call a Content Block into an Email built with Content Builder

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