CSV import

Import database objects from a CSV file or from a remote CSV URL (including a published Google Sheet). MapSVG can detect columns, suggest missing fields, run large imports in the background, and optionally keep your map in sync when the remote file changes.

For a deeper dive into Google Sheets as a live data source, see the blog post Google Sheets auto-sync with maps.

Import sources

Source	When to use
Upload file	One-off or repeated manual uploads from your computer.
Remote URL / Google Sheets	Paste a public CSV URL—most often File → Share → Publish to web → CSV from Google Sheets. Any reachable CSV URL works.

Short summary of what the current workflow supports:

• Automatic column detection — Use Sync fields next to the file or URL input. Headers are read from the first row; columns not yet in your schema appear as suggestions you can add before importing.
• Schema assistance — Field types can be inferred from the CSV where possible (text, numbers, selects, dates, images, locations, etc.).
• ID column — Choose which CSV column identifies rows for matching existing records (upsert) vs. treating the sheet as a snapshot (when no stable ID is used with auto-refetch).
• Geocoding — For location columns, optional Google Geocoding: addresses ↔ coordinates, with controls for free-tier pacing vs. faster paid usage.
• Images — Remote image URLs in the CSV can be downloaded into the WordPress Media Library and attached to records (deduplicated by URL).
• Large files — Heavy imports are processed in batches via WP-Cron, which helps avoid timeouts and supports very large datasets (e.g. 100k+ rows).
• Google Sheets auto-sync (remote): After you connect a remote URL, MapSVG can periodically re-fetch the CSV in the background (WP-Cron). Your spreadsheet can stay the source of truth—update rows in Sheets and the site can refresh without re-uploading files.

Open the in-editor CSV format instructions link on the CSV tab for the same reference table shown below.

Before you start

• Header row: The first row must list column names that match your MapSVG field names exactly (same spelling and casing as in Database → Edit fields).
• Location fields: Set Database → Edit fields → Location → Language before importing addresses so geocoding uses the correct language.

Typical flow

1. Open Database → CSV import (or your map’s CSV source tab).
2. Choose Upload file or Remote URL / Google Sheets and provide the file or URL.
3. Click Sync fields — review detected columns and add any suggested fields.
4. Set options (ID column, geocoding, auto-refetch for remote sources, etc.).
5. Use Continue / Save settings / Import now as shown in the UI.
6. Use See logs if you need import history or troubleshooting.

Example spreadsheets

• With geocoding-related guidance in the UI: Example spreadsheet (with location)
• General example: Example spreadsheet

CSV field format reference

The following matches the CSV import instructions & field reference modal in the plugin.

Field type	Example value	Notes
Text	Coffee Roasters	Stored as-is.
Number	4.5	Integer or decimal. Stored as-is.
Select, Radio, Status	1	Option value — stored directly.
	North	Option label — resolved to the matching value automatically.
	South-West	Invalid — must match an existing option value or label exactly.
Select (multiselect)	Coffee,Tea	Comma-separated list. Each token matched by value or label.
	Beer	Single value.
Checkboxes	Wifi,Parking	Comma-separated list. Each token matched by value or label.
	Wifi	Single value.
Checkbox	1 / 0	Checked / unchecked.
	true / false	Checked / unchecked (text form).
Location	40.7128,-74.0060	lat,lng — valid range: ±90 lat, ±180 lng.
	Paris	Address — geocoded when Google Geocoding is enabled (~1,300 free requests/day tier; runs in the background).
	Main st. 1, New York, USA	Address with commas — accepted.
	99.1211,199.2323	Invalid — coordinates outside valid range.
Regions	US-TX	Single region ID.
	US-TX,US-AL,US-NY	Multiple region IDs — comma-separated.
	US-TX US-AL US-NY	Invalid — use commas between IDs, not spaces.
Post	42	WordPress post ID — verified to exist before storing.
	my-post-slug	Post slug — resolved to the post ID.
Date / Datetime	2024-06-15	Date only (YYYY-MM-DD).
	2024-06-15 14:30:00	Date and time (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS).
Image	https://example.com/photo.jpg	Single remote URL — downloaded to the Media Library; same URL is not downloaded twice.
	https://example.com/a.jpg,https://example.com/b.jpg	Multiple images — comma-separated URLs.

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Comma in text fields: If a text value contains commas, wrap the cell in double quotes in the CSV file.