# Field mapping in Channable

When you [import product data](/import-data/readme.md) into Channable, either by connecting an eCommerce platform or by uploading a data source like an XML file, Channable will use the information in your import to structure your product data in Channable.

We call this “mapping”. Essentially, it’s the process of looking at the data you provide and saying “Okay, in your source, you call this piece of information ‘country’, but in Channable we call it ‘shipping country’, and that’s what Google Shopping (or another export channel) will expect it to be called when we send it to them. Let’s make sure we match the data you’ve provided to what the channel will receive.”

In this way, mapping makes it possible for Channable to process and standardize product data from a variety of sources so that you can list your products on any supported channel.

Let’s take a closer look at the mapping process:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Import fields

Regardless of the import method you use, Channable will look at your imported data and automatically separate and organize all of the information into what we call “import fields”. For example, you might have import fields that look like this:

* shipping country
* price
* Image Src
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Project fields

Next, Channable will create standardized fields based on your “import fields”. We call these fields “project fields”.

So Channable will map your import fields to the created project fields like this:

* shipping country → shipping\_country
* price → price
* Image Src → image\_src

Channable won’t always get the mapping right automatically and sometimes you need to [edit the name of your project field](/get-started/getting-started/fields-in-channable/map-and-add-fields.md) so that it maps correctly. This is necessary for these four standardized fields: id, link, image\_link, and price. Naming these fields differently causes warnings in your import mapping, so it is best to name these fields in this standard way.

Project fields are customizable and if you need to improve your imported product data, you can [add additional project fields](/get-started/getting-started/fields-in-channable/map-and-add-fields.md).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
There are a few [types of fields](/get-started/getting-started/fields-in-channable/types-of-fields-in-channable.md) in Channable.
{% endhint %}


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