---
title: Field Mapping
description: How field mapping works during data import.
---
import { VimeoEmbed } from '/snippets/vimeo-embed.mdx';

## How Field Mapping Works

When you upload a file, Twenty analyzes your columns and attempts to match them to existing fields.

### Automatic Mapping
Twenty tries to match columns based on:
- Column header names (exact or similar matches)
- Data type detection (dates, numbers, emails)
- Common field patterns

<Note>**Quick tip:** Export a few rows from the object you want to import. The exported file will have the exact column names Twenty expects, making automatic mapping seamless during import.</Note>

### Manual Mapping Options
For each column, you can:
- **Map to a field**: Select the matching Twenty field from a dropdown
- **Do not map**: Skip the column entirely (data won't be imported)

<Note>**Fields must exist before import.** The import creates records, not fields. Create custom fields under **Settings → Data Model** before importing.</Note>

## Field Type Compatibility

All field types available in the Data Model are supported for import.

You can also import `id` values to either assign a specific ID to new records or update existing ones.

<img src="/images/user-guide/fields/all-field-types.png" style={{width:'100%'}}/>

## Data Format Requirements

<Note>**Some fields have special syntax.** We recommend downloading the sample file before preparing your import to see the expected syntax for each field type.</Note>

### Address Fields
Address is a nested field with multiple columns. Some can be left empty.
- **Address / Address 1**: Street address line 1
- **Address / Address 2**: Street address line 2
- **Address / City**: City name
- **Address / State**: State or province
- **Address / Country**: Country name
- **Address / Post Code**: Postal/ZIP code

### Array Fields
Use the following format:
```
["value1","value2"]
```

### Boolean Fields
Use `TRUE` or `FALSE` (uppercase) - not `true` or `false`

### Currency Fields
Currency is a nested field with two columns that **both must be filled**:
- **Amount / Amount**: The numeric value (e.g., `1234.56`)
- **Amount / Currency**: The currency code (e.g., `USD`, `EUR`)

### Date Fields
Supported formats:
- `YYYY-MM-DD` (recommended)
- `MM/DD/YYYY`
- `DD/MM/YYYY`
- ISO 8601 format

### Domain Fields
- It is recommended to use the format `https://domain.com` to avoid creating duplicates, as this is the format used for Companies created by the mailbox and calendar synchronizations
- A `Domain Label` and `Domain URL` can be filled: best practice is to fill `domain.com` in the label and `https://domain.com` in the url
- Domains must be unique within the Companies object
- **Domains must be unique within the file to import**

### Email Fields
- Must be valid email format
- Emails must be unique within the People object
- **Emails must be unique within the file to import**
- For additional emails: use **Emails / Primary Email** for the main email, and **Emails / Additional Emails** with this format:
```
["jane@twenty.com","jane.doe@twenty.com"]
```

### Id Fields
Specifying an `id` during import is optional. Twenty auto-generates one if not provided.

Use cases for mapping an `id` column:
- **Set a specific ID**: Choose the UUID for newly created records
- **Update existing records**: Match against existing records to update them instead of creating duplicates. In that case, it is recommended to not map the other unique fields: mapping only one unique field ensures a smoother import.

<Note>If you provide an `id`, it must be in UUID format (e.g., `c776ee49-f608-4a77-8cc8-6fe96ae1e43f`).</Note>


### JSON Fields
Use valid JSON format:
```
{"key":"value","key2":"value2"}
```

### Links Fields
Similar to Domain fields:
- Fill both the label and URL columns: **Links / Link URL** and **Links / Link Label**
- Use full URL format: `https://example.com`
- For secondary links, use **Links / Secondary Links** column with this format:
```
[{"url":"https://twenty.com","label":"Twenty"}]
```

### Multi-Select Fields
Use the **API names** (not the display labels) in the following format:
```
["VALUE1","VALUE2"]
```
See [here](#finding-api-names-for-select-fields) where to find the API names.

<Note>New select options will not be created automatically by the import. They must be added under **Settings → Data Model** before importing.</Note>

<Warning>
**Import overwrites, it does not add.**

If a record already has `VALUE2` and `VALUE3` selected, and you import `["VALUE1"]`, the record will only have `VALUE1` after import. The previous selections are replaced, not merged.
</Warning>


### Number Fields
- Numbers only
- Decimals use period: `1234.56`
- No thousands separators

### Phone Fields
Phone is a nested field with multiple columns that **must be filled**
- **Phones / Primary Phone Number**: The phone number (e.g., `4159095555`)
- **Phones / Primary Phone Country Code**: Country code (e.g., `US`)
- **Phones / Primary Phone Calling Code**: Dialing code (e.g., `+1`)

### Rating Fields
Use the API name format: `RATING_1`, `RATING_2`, `RATING_3`, `RATING_4`, `RATING_5`

### Relation Fields
Please see our dedicated article: [Import Relations Between Objects](/user-guide/data-migration/capabilities/import-relations)

### Select Fields
Use the **API name** of the option (not the display label):
```
VALUE1
```
See [here](#finding-api-names-for-select-fields) where to find the API names.
<Note>New select options will not be created automatically by the import. They must be added under **Settings → Data Model** before importing.</Note>
### Text Fields
- No special formatting required
- Leading/trailing spaces are trimmed

## Finding API Names

For Select, Multi-Select, and Array fields with predefined options, you must use the **API names**, not the display labels.

### How to Find API Names
1. Go to **Settings → Data Model**
2. Select the object and field
3. Enable **Advanced mode** (toggle at the bottom right of the settings page)
4. View the API name for each option

<VimeoEmbed videoId="1144910809" title="Video demonstration" />