This article explains what Magic Hidden Fields are, when to use them, the different types available, and how to add them to your database in Spotler MailPro. Magic Hidden Fields allow you to automatically collect hidden data, making your processes more efficient without requiring manual input from users or administrators.
On this page you have the following options:
- What are Magic Hidden Fields?
- When to use Magic Hidden Fields
- Types of Magic Hidden Fields
- Adding Magic Hidden Fields
What are Magic Hidden Fields?
Magic Hidden Fields are special database fields that automatically capture specific information without the need for manual input from a user or administrator. For example, they can capture the last time an email was sent, opened, or when a recipient clicked on a link in an email.
When to use Magic Hidden Fields?
Magic Hidden Fields are useful when you want to automate data collection and make your communication more personalized or efficient. They are particularly useful for tracking user interaction with your emails, such as the date of the last open or click, without requiring your recipients to provide this information manually.
Inbox providers today pay attention to recipient behavior. If a recipient hasn't opened emails from a particular sender for an extended period, this is seen as a negative signal. After enough negative signals, the inbox provider may decide to deliver emails to other folders, such as spam.
To prevent this, clients can set up reactivation campaigns. This looks at user interaction, specifically whether the email is opened. If a recipient hasn't opened any emails for a long time, a reactivation email can be sent, such as a "We miss you" email.
If the recipient still doesn't respond to the emails, they can be marked as inactive. Ideally, these contacts are removed from regular mailing lists. By applying this process, you can avoid non-opens and, in turn, prevent negative signals being sent to inbox providers.
Types of Magic Hidden Fields
Automatically Filled Fields
| Field Name | Description |
|---|---|
last_mail_date |
Tracks when an email was last sent. |
last_open_date |
Records when an email was last opened. |
last_click_date |
Records the last time a contact clicked on a link in an email. |
Manually Filled Fields
| Field Name | Description |
|---|---|
sender_name |
Name of the sender. |
sender_email |
Email address of the sender. |
reply_name |
Name for the reply-to address. |
reply_email |
Email address for the reply-to address. |
The fields in the second category override the default settings. For example, the email address specified in sender_email will be used as the sender address instead of the default setting of the email platform.
Important: Correct Data Type for Date Fields
It is essential to ensure the exact names and correct data types are used, especially for the date fields (send, open, and click). If you choose the wrong name or data type, the fields will not work. The type must be Datetime.
A Datetime field stores both the date and the time in a precise format. This allows you to track events more accurately. The format for the Datetime field should be: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS (for example, 2025-03-20 14:30:00). Make sure to follow this format when entering the data.
Adding Magic Hidden Fields
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Creating the fields: These fields can be created in the Spotler MailPro database. You can do this in the Setup module under Database Fields:
- Use the notation for field names as shown in this article.
- Do you add date fields? Choose Datetime for the data type. Do you add the other (not date) fields? Then choose String.
- For Input Type, select Edit and then choose Hidden.
- Importing the data: The database fields can then be imported via Data > Upload Contacts into the platform. This step does not apply to date fields, as they are automatically filled.