How to Map Data

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This article is a guide to mapping your product data. It covers the essential steps of preparing and mapping attributes. Please review the content below to learn more about the Mappings tab and steps for mapping your data.

Article Contents:

• Getting Started Guide Panel
• Create a Mapping
• Map a Static Value
• Add Locale Mappings
• Add Value Mappings
• Disable/Enable a Mapping
• Delete a Mapping
• Apply Transformations
• Universal Mapping Suggestions
• Mapping Key
• Mapping Settings
• Review Your Mappings
• Export Data Quality
• Understanding Data Layers

Getting Started Guide Panel

Before mapping your data, you will need to prepare and review your Data View containing your source attributes, recipient target attributes, locales, and product categories within the Mapping Overview tab.

The Getting Started Guide walks you through setup steps and appears the first time you access the page. The panel has 6 required steps that must be completed in order before you can interact with the left side of the screen.

After completing the guide, you can manage data views, recipient requirement sets, categories, or default locales in the Mapping Settings from the Mapping Overview panel.

 

Step 1: Define Your Source Data View(s)

To map data, you must first add your Source Attributes to your data view to use for mapping. Source Attributes are where your data comes from. When a data view is added, its attributes are added to the Source Attributes list. 

Define your source data view(s) based on one of the following situations:

1. There are no data views for the account.
   • A new data view will be created and added automatically as the source data view. Click Got It! to complete the step. Step 5 addresses adding attributes to your data view.
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2. Product Experience Cloud Clients: Select Read-only PIM Data View(s). 
   • Product Experience Cloud clients who have published their data model via the Exchange will find their Read-Only Data Views listed here. Any changes to source data must be published through the exchange into the Syndication Platform. Click Got It! to complete the step.
3. Choose Existing Data View(s)
   • You can either select existing data views or create and add a new data view. If you want to do both, you will need to complete one of the actions here, then access Mapping Settings to complete the other after you have completed the guide.
   • Existing data views will be listed. Select one or more existing data views and click Add Selected to complete the step. When a data view is added, its attributes are added to the Source Attributes list.
   • You can create and add a new data view by selecting Create New Data View. This will initiate the creation of a new data view with the name ‘Source Attributes’ and add it to the source data views automatically. The step will be marked complete. NOTE: Step 5 addresses adding attributes to your data view.

Step 2: Review Your Target Recipients

This step is review-only. Review the information presented and click Got It! to complete the step.

You can scroll through the list or search for a recipient using the search bar.

All recipient connections linked to your account are displayed. These are automatically added based on the connections you have set up on the Connections tab. The attributes in the requirements sets will appear in the Target Attributes list.

To add or remove the available recipient or requirement sets, go to the Connections tab.

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Step 3: Define Your Product Categories

All current Taxonomies and selected product Categories are listed. Categories considered most relevant are added automatically. You can manually add other categories. 

The attributes in the categories are added to the Source and/or Target Attribute lists according to the taxonomy.

NOTE: If your account is not linked to any recipients with a taxonomy, you will not see this step.

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Review the categories. Add or remove categories if needed, then click Looks good! to complete the step.

Search: You can search for a category using the search bar.

Taxonomy filter: You can filter the taxonomies shown by clicking the Taxonomy filter dropdown and selecting one or more taxonomies. You can scroll through the list or search using the search bar.

Add Categories: Categories that are considered most relevant are automatically added to the list. You can add a category that is not listed by clicking Add Categories. 

Trash bin: If a category has no associated mappings or products, you can remove the category by clicking the bin icon. That category will be removed from the list, and its attributes will not appear in the attribute lists.

Step 4: Define Your Default Locales

You can manage the default locales you want data to map to and from.

Default locale options exist depending on whether the source and target attributes are variant or invariant. This card allows you to view and manage the default locales you want data to map to and from.

The settings made here are applied at the account level and will be used for all mappings going forward after the default is set.

Changing the default here will not affect any mappings that are already configured. 

You can manually change the locale mapping for an individual mapping, which will override the default setting. See Mapping Details > Locale Settings.

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You can collapse or expand the card by clicking the caret icon in the header.

Default locale options vary depending on whether the source and target attributes are variant or invariant:

Invariant → Variant

• Select the target locale.
• To include additional locales, click Add another locale and make a selection.

Variant → Invariant

• Select the source locale.
• To include additional locales, click Add another locale and make a selection.

Variant → Variant

• All Locales: Allows all locale values to flow through.
• Specific Locales: Allows you to control which locale values are mapped by selecting specific source and target locale pairs.

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Step 5: Add Attributes to Your Source Data Views

If your source data views are read-only, this step will be marked complete automatically. To Create a New Data View: 

1. Click Create New.
2. Name your Data View.

Step 6: Create a Mapping

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This step is informational. Click Take me to mapping overview! to complete the guide. The Mapping Overview panel is displayed.

Create a Mapping

Follow the steps below to create a Universal or Recipient Specific Mapping.

Universal Mappings

What it is: Universal mappings are mappings that will apply to all of your recipient connections. Set them once, and they will automatically apply to all your retailers.

Why use it? It saves you a lot of time. Instead of mapping the same core details for each product and recipient, you can set it once to always map your data correctly. 

Steps:

1. Select the Source Attribute
   • Click the Source Attribute on the left to begin mapping. Mappable source attributes display the AddLink icon on hover.
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2. Select the Target Attribute
   • Click the Target Attribute on the right to confirm mapping.
   • Target attributes that can be mapped to the selected source value will have a colored mapping button (matching the mapping mode color) with an AddLink icon and an open circle node.
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   • Find the attribute you want to use as the target attribute and click the attribute card to select it.
3. Save Changes
   • Click Save Changes in the top right corner. 

Recipient Specific Mapping

What it is: Recipient-Specific mappings are mappings you create for a specific Recipient.

Why use it? You use this when a retailer has strict formatting requirements or guidelines that differ from your universal data. It allows you to quickly and efficiently meet the needs of each of your recipients.

Steps:

1. Select the Recipient
   • Select the recipient’s name at the top of the target attribute column on the right. 
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2. Toggle on Recipient Specific Mapping Mode
   • Toggle the Mapping Mode to Recipient Specific at the top of the Mappings page. The indicators will now be orange.
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3. Select the Source Attribute
   • Click the Source Attribute on the left to begin mapping.  Mappable source attributes display the AddLink icon on hover.
4. Select the Target Attribute
   • Click the Target Attribute on the right to confirm mapping.
   • Target attributes that can be mapped to the selected source value will have a colored mapping button (matching the mapping mode color) with an AddLink icon and an open circle node.
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5. Save Changes
   • Click Save Changes in the top right corner. 

Map a Static Value

What it is: A Static Value mapping is a simple rule that always sends the same, fixed value to a target attribute. 

Why use it? Use this when you need to send the same information for an attribute for every single product you send to a retailer. You can create a universal or recipient-specific static value mapping.

Steps:

1. Select the Target Attribute and open the Mapping in Progress panel.
   • Click the Target Attribute.
     • The Target attribute must show an AddLink icon and be Simple, Multi-Value, or Asset format type.
     • If the attribute already has a universal mapping, the static value mapping must be recipient-specific. Selecting either option opens the Mapping in Progress panel on the right.
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2. Select ‘Map To a Static Value’.
   • The Mapping Details panel opens with a Static Value card.
     • The Static Value card will vary by format type.
     • Static values cannot be applied to attributes that already have a universal mapping or have any of the following formats: complex value, container, or custom module. If the action cannot be applied, it will be disabled.
     • Important Note: If “Map to a Static Value” is missing, the selected attribute is contained in a Source Data View. Remove it from the Data View within ‘Mapping Settings’ to enable a static mapping.
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3. Enter/Select Static Value(s).
   • Enter or Select Static Value on the right.
   • Click Add.
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     • The mapping is created, and the Mapping Details view is shown in the right-hand panel. 
       In the Mapping Area, the mapping line and static value icon will appear to the left of the attribute. The icon and line will be purple if in Universal mapping mode and orange if in Recipient Specific mode. 
4. Additional Options
   • Add Locale Specific Value: 
     • Click Add a locale-specific value. Select the Locale and provide or select a value(s).
   • Map to a Source Attribute:
     • You can add a mapping from a source attribute. This will make the static value a fallback value that is used if the source attribute is empty. 
       • Click Select a Source Attribute. The Mapping in Progress panel is opened.
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Add Locale Mappings

What it is: Locale mappings control how mapped data flows between languages. They allow you to specify which source language values are sent to which target language attributes on an already confirmed mapping.

Why use it? Use locale mappings when you need language accuracy. For example, ensuring Spanish content only maps to Spanish target attributes. While All Locales applies values to every language, Specific Locales gives you precise control and is recommended when retailers require language-specific data.

Steps:

1. Open the Mapping Details panel.
   • Click an existing (confirmed) mapping line to open the Mapping Details panel on the right.
2. Expand the Locale section.
   • In the Mapping Details panel, expand the Locale section.
3. Choose a locale option.
   • All Locales: Sends source values to all matching target locales.
   • Specific Locales: Allows you to map individual source locales to specific target locales.
4. Map specific locales (if using Specific Locales).
   • Select Specific Locales.
   • Choose the source and target language pairs you want to map (for example, Spanish (Mexico) → Spanish (Mexico)).
5. Save your changes.
   • Click Save Changes to apply the locale mappings.

Add Value Mappings

Value Mapping maps an input source value to an output target value. When both source and target attributes are choice values, value mapping is required before additional transformations can be added. It tells the system, “When you see this source value, change it to this target value.”

Use Value Mapping when source and target values represent the same information but use different names, codes, or allowed choices. For example, a source color value of “Blue” can be mapped to a target choice value of “BLUE.”

NOTE: If you are working in a recipient-specific mapping, the value mapping will only apply to that recipient. If there are multiple recipients, expand the details by clicking the caret to view recipient-specific options. 

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Step 1: Expand the Value Mapping + Transformation or Transformations card.

Open the mapping details panel and expand the Value Mapping + Transformation or Transformations card.

If existing value mappings are available, they are shown in the card. 

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Step 2: Select or enter source and target values.

Select or add the source values you want to map. Use Source Values to add or remove source values, then select or enter the correct target value for each source value.

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 Use Search Values to find values quickly. You can also use Copy/Paste to paste values from another source or copy values from the mapping.

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Optional Settings and Rules:

• Source Values: Opens the Manage Source Values flow, where you can select or deselect the source values included in the value mapping.
• Language: If multiple locales are configured, choose which language values to show. You can mark a language as a favorite.
• Search Values: Search for specific values in the list.
• Copy/Paste: Paste values from another source or copy existing source or target values from the value mapping.
• Add row: Add additional source and target value pairs when supported.
• Delete: Remove a single value mapping pair or delete all rows from the value mapping table.
• Invalid values: If a source value is not valid for the target, manually select a valid target value or add a transformation to convert it.
• Rule: For choice-to-choice mappings, value mapping is required before additional transformations can be added.

If a source value needs additional cleanup before it maps correctly, click Add Transformation and choose the needed transformation.

Step 3: Finish and save your value mappings.

When you finish mapping values, click Done, then click Save Changes.

Actions:

You can enable, disable, or delete a mapping using the buttons at the bottom of the panel.
 

Disable/Enable a Mapping

Mappings must be enabled for them to be applied to attributes. When a mapping is disabled, it still exists; it just isn’t applied to the attributes. 

Click Disable Mapping or Enable Mapping to disable or enable the individual mapping.

When a mapping is disabled, the mapping line and nodes on the attributes will be grey.

REMINDER: You can enable or disable ALL mappings using the ENABLE ALL MAPPINGS and DISABLE ALL MAPPINGS options in the Mapping Overview panel view.

Delete a Mapping

Deleting a mapping means removing it completely.  If you want to keep the mapping but don’t want it applied, disable it instead of deleting it. See Disable/Enable a Mapping. 

Click Delete Mapping. You will be asked to confirm that you want to delete the mapping. 

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NOTE: You will not be asked to confirm the action when removing a static value mapping; it will be removed immediately.

After you have deleted the mapping, you are returned to the Mapping Overview panel.

Apply Transformations

After mapping data from Source to Target, you have the ability to transform your Target Attribute data to reflect a desired format, character length, or even a combination of Source data attributes. To learn how to apply a Transformation, click here.

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Universal Mapping Suggestions

What it is: Mapping Suggestions is an AI-powered feature that automatically identifies possible global mapping pairings based on attributes listed in your Source and Target Columns.

Why use it? It saves you time by finding possible mappings by scanning hundreds of source and target attributes.

Steps:

• Within the Mapping Overview Panel, find Universal Mapping Suggestions. (Click on an open area of the screen to reach the Mapping Overview Panel)
• Click Generate Suggestions to generate suggested mappings.
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• Once completed, you will see the Generated Mappings view.

Generated Mappings

Once mappings are generated, you will see this view.  

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• View: To view the individual suggested mappings in the Mappings Area, click View. Notice that the AI Suggested filter (in the Connection Lines card) is selected. Remove that filter to see all mapping types or select other mapping types.
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• Accept/Reject: You can accept or reject each suggested mapping. Hover over a mapping line to see the accept (check mark) and reject (trash bin) icons. Select an icon to accept or reject an individual mapping. Accepted suggestions become Universal mappings. Rejected suggestions will be removed and will never be shown as AI-suggested mappings again (even if AI suggestions are regenerated). You can accept all suggestions by clicking the green Accept All button.
• Regenerate: You can regenerate suggested mappings by clicking REGENERATE. Regeneration may take some time, but you can close the panel and continue working in the platform while it runs. If no suggested mappings are found, you will see a message to that effect.
• Clear All: Hides all AI-suggested mappings from view until they are regenerated. This is not the same as rejecting a suggested mapping (which cannot be regenerated).
• Accept All: Accept all AI-suggested mappings. Accepted mappings will become Universal mappings.

If there are no suggested mappings, you will see a message indicating that.

Mapping Key

Click Mapping Key to open the Mapping Key panel. This key helps you understand the icons and colors you see on attributes and mapping lines.

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• Universal Mapping: The target attribute is available to be mapped to a source attribute.
• Disabled: A Universal mapping exists but is disabled. To enable it, go to the mapping details (click the mapping line), toggle the setting to Enabled, and save the changes.
• Recipient Specific: A mapping has been applied for a specific retailer. If there are multiple recipients, a number in a circle shows how many recipients there are.
• Shared: The source and target attributes are the same.
• Orphaned: The target was removed by the recipient, or the source attribute is missing. Replace the source or remove the mapping. (PXM clients must manage orphaned source attributes in their data model.)
• Static Value: A fixed value is applied to the target attribute.
• Transformation: A data transformation is applied to the mapping.
• Advanced Configuration: An advanced data setup has been applied to the mapping.
• AI Suggested: This mapping is being suggested by the AI system. AI-suggested mappings are not applied until they are accepted.

Mapping Settings

Mapping Settings is where you can manage your Source, Target, and Category details.

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Source Data Views

This section allows you to review, create, add, or delete your Source Data Views. 

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Create a New Data View: Click Add Data View and select Create New. For steps on how to create or edit a Data View, click here.

Add an Existing Data View: Click Add Data View. Expand the menu and select the desired data view from the list.

Edit Existing Data View: Click theimage (42).pngicon to be taken to that Data View for edits.

PXM Clients: If you are a PXM client, you can publish your Data Model via the Exchange to have your read-only data view available to add.

Target Recipients

This section is read-only and displays all the Recipient Requirement sets currently linked to your account. To make changes to this list, click on the Connections tab within the left navigation panel to add or remove recipients/requirement sets.

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Source & Target Categories

This section lists all categories your products have assigned to them. To add a category to this list manually, click Add Category and select the taxonomy at the top, and brows search for the desired category.

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Additional Actions

Click the second icon to select an action from the list presented.

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• Enable All Mappings: Mappings must be enabled in order for them to be applied. If you want to enable all mappings that are not already enabled, click Enable All Mappings.
  • Tip: If you want to enable an individual mapping, then in the Connection Lines card, select Disabled in the Enablements filter to view only disabled mappings. You can click an individual mapping line to open the Mapping Details panel, then enable it by clicking Enable Mapping at the bottom of the panel.
• Disable All Mappings: If you want to disable all enabled mappings, click Disable All Mappings.
  • Tip: If you want to disable an individual mapping, then in the Connection Lines card, select Enabled in the Enablements filter to view only enabled mappings. You can click an individual mapping line to open the Mapping Details panel, then disable it by clicking Disable Mapping at the bottom of the panel.
• Advanced Configurations: Some mappings are more advanced and complex. The Advanced Configuration tool allows you to create complex data mappings and transformations.

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Review your Mappings

Quickly identify Mapped Target attributes by looking for the Blue link icon within a bulk or single edit page.

How to Identify Universal Mappings:

• Within a Product Details Page, look for the label "Linked ACCOUNT NAME Value."
• Your Syndigo Account name within the Mapping label signifies that the applied mapping is a Universal Mapping.
• Click the blue link icon to view both the Target and Source Attributes and Values.
• Add/Edit Source data from the Linked Attributes window.

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How to Identify Recipient Specific Mappings: 

• Look for the label “Recipient Specific.”
• These attributes will only appear when you are in an edit screen within the specific recipient requirement set.
• Click the blue link icon to view both the Target and Source Attributes and Values.
• Add/Edit Source data from the Linked Attributes window.

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Export Data Quality

You can export a Data Quality report to analyze your mappings in a spreadsheet. Click here to learn how.

Understanding Data Layers

When you publish product data to retailers, multiple sources can provide values for the same attribute. This hierarchy determines which value “wins” and is sent to the recipient. Values higher on the list take precedence over those below them.

The data is prioritized in the following order, from highest to lowest priority:

1. Recipient Specific Manual Override
   • An Override value you enter directly for a specific retailer.
   • This has the highest priority. It takes precedence over ALL other values for that recipient.
2. Recipient Specific Mapping
   • A mapping you create for a specific retailer.
   • This takes precedence over a universal mapping and Verified Data
3. Manually Entered Public Value
   • A value you input directly into the product records.
   • This takes precedence over all applied mappings.
   • Syndigo Verified values will still take precedence over Public values.
4. Applied Universal Mapping
   • A mapping you create that applies to all recipients.
   • This value will take precedence over verified data.
5. Syndigo Verified Data
   • This is your base level, trusted product data verified by Syndigo.
   • Applied mappings will take precedence over this data.

Want to Learn More?

Click the links below to learn more about Mapping and Transformation functionality.

• Mappings User Guide
• Introduction to Mappings
• Tour the Mappings Tab
• Applying Transformations