CSV and Excel Listing Import Mapping

Listdom 5.8.0 expands the Listings import mapping workflow for CSV and Excel files. Administrators can create missing custom fields during mapping, combine several source columns into one taxonomy, and map repeatable content such as FAQs, embed sections, and reviews.

The workflow applies to Listings Import. Taxonomy-only imports, such as importing a standalone Categories or Locations file, continue to use their own mapping fields.

CSV listing import is available from Listdom > Import / Export > CSV. Excel import requires the Listdom Excel add-on Excel and is available from Listdom > Import / Export > Excel.

Before you start

• Use a file with a header row and one listing per data row.
• Give columns clear, unique names when possible.
• Make a site backup before a large import.
• Test the mapping with a small sample before importing the complete file.
• Install and activate Listdom Pro Pro if you need to import Embed Codes.
• Install and activate the Reviews add-on Reviews if you need to import reviews.

Listdom identifies source columns by their position as well as their label. If a file contains duplicate header names, the mapping interface displays the column number so you can select the correct source.

Create missing custom fields during mapping

The Custom Fields panel appears before the normal listing mapping table. Use it when a source column contains directory data that does not yet have a matching Listdom custom field.

1. Upload the CSV or Excel file and open its Listings mapping screen.
2. In Custom Fields, select Add Custom Field.
3. Choose the Source Column.
4. Enter the Field Name.
5. Optionally edit the generated Slug.
6. Select the Field Type.
7. For Dropdown, Radio, or Checkbox fields, review Allowed Values and enter comma-separated choices when needed.
8. Repeat the process for every field that must be created.
9. Select Create Custom Fields and Continue.
10. Review the refreshed mapping table. Listdom automatically maps successfully created or reused fields to their source columns.

Select Skip to Mapping when all required custom fields already exist.

Supported field types

The import mapping screen can provision these custom-field types:

• Text
• Textarea
• Number
• Email
• Telephone
• URL
• Date
• Time
• Datetime
• Dropdown
• Radio
• Checkbox

The importer samples source values and suggests a type. For example, numeric samples can suggest Number and yes/no samples can suggest Radio. These suggestions are advisory. Review every suggested type and its allowed values before creating the field.

Existing fields are reused

If Listdom finds an existing custom field with the same valid slug or name, it reuses that field and maps the source column to it. The importer does not replace the existing field’s type, choices, category assignment, requirement state, or other configuration.

Review reused fields under Listings > Custom Fields when the source data requires different choices or behavior.

Validation rules

• Every new field needs a source column and name.
• The slug must be valid.
• Names and slugs in the same creation request must be unique.
• Only supported field types can be created.
• The current administrator must have permission to manage Listdom custom fields.

If one or more definitions are invalid, correct the reported rows before continuing.

Map multiple columns to a taxonomy

Categories, Locations, Tags, Features, and Labels can receive data from more than one source column.

1. Find the taxonomy in the mapping table.
2. Select Add Source Column.
3. Choose the source column.
4. Choose how that column contributes terms.
5. Add more source columns when needed.
6. For Categories or Locations, select Flat terms or Hierarchy under Import Mode.

Use column values

Select Use column values when each cell contains the taxonomy term or terms to assign.

Example source columns:

Category	Secondary Category	Location
Restaurant	Italian	London

Mapping both category columns with Use column values assigns Restaurant and Italian as category terms.

Use column label when true

Select Use column label when true when the header is the term name and each row contains a boolean value.

Example:

Free Wi-Fi	Parking	Pet Friendly
Yes	1	No

With all three columns mapped to Features using Use column label when true, the listing receives Free Wi-Fi and Parking. Pet Friendly is not assigned for that row.

Listdom recognizes common boolean pairs, including:

• Yes and No
• Y and N
• True and False
• 1 and 0

The mapper samples the file and can select the label behavior automatically for boolean-like columns. Review the selection before importing.

Flat terms

Use Flat terms when selected columns contribute independent terms. Each source can use its cell values or its column label when true.

This mode is available for Categories and Locations and is the normal behavior for Tags, Features, and Labels.

Hierarchy

Use Hierarchy for Categories or Locations when selected columns represent parent-to-child levels. The selected value columns become path segments in the order shown in the mapping interface.

Example:

Country	State	City
United States	Georgia	Atlanta

Map the columns to Locations in this order and select Hierarchy. Listdom creates or uses this path:

United States > Georgia > Atlanta

The listing is assigned to the terms in the path. For Categories, the deepest category becomes the primary category. Locations do not have a primary-location equivalent.

Hierarchy mode uses column values. Boolean header behavior is not available while the taxonomy is mapped as a hierarchy.

Map repeatable fields

The Repeatable Fields panel allows each spreadsheet row to supply several structured items for one listing. Select Add Item once for each item you want to import, then map the source columns for that item.

An item is skipped for a listing when a required mapped value is empty in that source row.

FAQs

FAQ mapping is available in Listdom Core.

For every FAQ item, map:

• Question, required
• Answer, required

Select Add Item for each question-and-answer pair represented by separate source columns.

Embed Codes

Embed Code mapping appears when Listdom Pro Pro is active.

For every embed item, map:

• Title, optional
• Embed Code or URL, required

Use one repeatable item for each video, virtual tour, iframe, or supported media URL stored in separate source columns.

Reviews

Review mapping appears when the Reviews add-on Reviews is active.

For every review item, map:

• Reviewer Name, optional
• Reviewer Email, optional
• Review Text, required
• Review Score, required
• Review Date, optional

Review scores must resolve to a value from 1 through 5. Values such as 4, 4.5, or 4 stars can be normalized when they contain a valid score.

Imported reviews are published as imported review entries. Import notification emails are not sent for these records.

When the same mapped listing is imported again, Listdom updates reviews that were created by the importer for the corresponding repeatable rows. If a previously mapped imported review is removed from the incoming repeatable mapping, the old importer-owned review can be moved to Trash. Reviews created manually or through the public review form are not treated as importer-owned reviews.

Mapping templates

Saved CSV and Excel mapping templates preserve supported custom-field mappings, multi-column taxonomy mappings, taxonomy modes, source behavior, and repeatable-field rows.

When loading an older template, Listdom continues to accept legacy single-column taxonomy mappings. Review the loaded template before running the import, especially when the new source file changes column order or repeats a header name.

What is not covered

The custom-field creation and multi-column taxonomy controls apply to CSV and Excel Listings Import. They do not automatically create or transform every possible add-on field.

The workflow does not add special transformations for:

• Claim or Merchant Verified values
• Price Range conversions
• General source-data cleanup
• Arbitrary review fields beyond the mapped review structure
• Taxonomy behavior outside Categories, Locations, Tags, Features, and Labels

Clean or transform unsupported source values before importing.

Recommended import workflow

1. Back up the site.
2. Prepare a small sample file with the same headers as the complete file.
3. Upload the sample under CSV or Excel Listings Import.
4. Create required custom fields.
5. Map standard listing fields.
6. Configure taxonomy sources and hierarchy modes.
7. Add FAQ, Embed Code, or Review repeatable rows when applicable.
8. Save the mapping as a named template.
9. Import the sample.
10. Check listings, taxonomy relationships, custom fields, FAQs, embeds, and reviews.
11. Correct the mapping if needed.
12. Import the complete file without changing its header structure.

Troubleshooting

A custom field was reused instead of created

Listdom found an existing field with the same slug or name. Review that field under Listings > Custom Fields. The importer intentionally does not alter an existing field’s configuration.

The wrong duplicate header was mapped

Use the source column number shown in the selector to distinguish columns with the same header label.

A boolean feature was not assigned

Confirm that the source behavior is Use column label when true and that the cell contains a recognized true value such as Yes, Y, True, or 1.

A hierarchy was created in the wrong order

Remove and re-add the taxonomy source columns in parent-to-child order, then confirm that Import Mode is Hierarchy.

A repeatable item is missing

Check all required fields for that item. FAQ requires both Question and Answer. Embed Code requires Embed Code or URL. Reviews require Review Text and a valid Review Score.

Reviews do not appear in Repeatable Fields

Install and activate the Listdom Reviews add-on, then reload the mapping screen.

Embed Codes do not appear in Repeatable Fields

Install and activate Listdom Pro, then reload the mapping screen.

A review score was skipped

Use a number from 1 through 5. Remove text that prevents Listdom from finding a valid numeric score.

A loaded mapping template points to the wrong columns

The source file’s column order or headers may have changed. Review every loaded mapping before importing a new file.

FAQ

Can Listdom create custom fields directly from the import screen?

Yes. Use the Custom Fields panel before mapping. Existing matching fields are reused without changing their configuration.

Can several spreadsheet columns populate one taxonomy?

Yes. Add multiple source columns for Categories, Locations, Tags, Features, or Labels.

Can a boolean column name become a feature?

Yes. Select Use column label when true. A true cell assigns the column header as the term.

Can I import several FAQs or reviews for one listing?

Yes. Add one repeatable mapping item for each FAQ or review represented by the source columns.

Does review import send notification emails?

No. Import notifications are suppressed for reviews created by this workflow.

Does Excel support the same advanced mapping options as CSV?

Yes for Listings Import. Excel requires the Listdom Excel add-on.

Related Articles

• CSV Import and Export
• Custom Fields
• Excel add-on
• Reviews add-on