---
title: Data Extensions
slug: segment/data-extensions
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-01-16T18:26:05.722Z
---

Data Extensions are customizable tables within SFMC. They can store various types of data and handle large volumes of it. As such, they are ideal for dynamic audience creation and complex segmentation logic. Use cases include subscriber information, behavioral data, purchase history, and custom attributes.

::::VerticalSplit{layout="middle"}
:::VerticalSplitItem
You will find Data Extensions under **Available Data Extensions**. Click the** folder** icon to filter the Data Extensions by folder.
:::

:::VerticalSplitItem
::Image[]{src="https://support.deselect.com/hc/article_attachments/29414061642769" size="40" width="636" height="552" isUploading="false" darkWidth="636" darkHeight="552" showCaption="false"}
:::
::::

::::VerticalSplit{layout="middle"}
:::VerticalSplitItem
Use the search function to search folders and select and Data Extensions that you want to use.
:::

:::VerticalSplitItem
::Image[]{src="https://support.deselect.com/hc/article_attachments/4411978496273" size="40" width="516" height="586" isUploading="false" darkWidth="516" darkHeight="586" showCaption="false"}
:::
::::

:::hint{type="info"}
If a Data Extension is not visible upon searching in Available or Selected (input) Data Extensions and Target Data Extensions (output), it may be due to restricted folder access settings.
:::

## Supported Data Extensions

Unaric Segment can use data from any type of Data Extension in your SFMC business unit. This also includes Data Extensions shared with your business unit.

- **Standard Data Extensions**
- **Synchronized Data Extensions** (data synced from your CRM)
- **Shared Data Extensions**
- **Salesforce Data Extensions**

:::hint{type="warning"}
Unaric Segment does not support SFMC Lists for segmentation. To segment, filter, and map your data, use Data Extensions instead. 
:::

:::hint{type="success"}
We recommend putting good data governance in place, covering data relationships, and defining a naming convention for Data Extensions and other assets in their environment.

Likewise, ensure that the Customer Key length of the Data Extension you are using is within SFMC recommended length (36).
:::

### Multibyte character support

**Unaric Segment Enable***, ***Plus***, *and **Advanced** versions fully supports multibyte character sets to accommodate languages with large numbers of characters and symbols, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. If you work with multibyte characters in your Data Extensions, the platform functions exactly the same as it does with English.

### Encrypted Fields Data Extensions

:::hint{type="info"}
This feature is available in **Unaric Segment Enable**, **Plus**, and **Advanced**.
:::

Unaric Segment supports Data Extensions containing encrypted fields. You can find these at **Available Fields. **Encrypted fields will be marked with a lock icon.

::Image[]{src="https://support.deselect.com/hc/article_attachments/4403064396945" size="30" width="294" height="262" isUploading="false" darkWidth="294" darkHeight="262" showCaption="false"}

The target data extension field created from an existing encrypted field will be encrypted too.

Also, when creating a new target data extension, an additional option appears on newly created fields to mark a field as encrypted. 

::Image[]{src="https://support.deselect.com/hc/article_attachments/4403064420369" size="40" width="293" height="239" isUploading="false" darkWidth="293" darkHeight="239" showCaption="false"}

When running a preview with encrypted fields, the preview screen in Unaric Segment will show the columns of these encrypted fields not in plain values, but encrypted unreadable values.