# Import an existing map file

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/gbAb8XI3Vm8>" fullWidth="true" %}

It is possible to import a map file in one of two ways:

1. During the map creation process
2. From the view screen of an existing map

This page explains the expected map file format, and the two import approaches.

## Import Map File Format

An existing mapping file used to import a map into Snap2SNOMED **must** :

* Be a CSV or TSV file
* Have a header row
* Be in one of the following formats
  * source\_code, target\_code, target\_display, relationship\_type
  * source\_code, source\_display, target\_code, target\_display, relationship\_type
    * Note: This second format is the same as Snap2SNOMED's Export file format

Relationship type values in the map import file must be one of the following codes (from the first column of the table below):

<table data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th width="395.9678955078125">Relationship Type Codes</th><th width="273.2847900390625">Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>TARGET_EQUIVALENT</td><td>Target is equivalent to source</td></tr><tr><td>TARGET_INEXACT</td><td>Target is inexact to source</td></tr><tr><td>TARGET_BROADER</td><td>Target is broader than source</td></tr><tr><td>TARGET_NARROWER</td><td>Target is narrower than source</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Import during map creation

You can import an existing map using the "Create map" dialogue. The "Import existing map" button will appear after uploading and/or selecting your source file.

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="/files/IrvWYtsfcmmTJKKLtKw3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Note: Large maps can take long to import, please do not refresh your browser while the import is running.

If there is an error in your imported map file, the import will fail, but a map with only the source code will be created. After correcting any errors, you can attempt to re-import your map file from within the new map (see 'Import into an existing map' below.

## Import into an existing map

To import a map file into a map that has already been created in Snap2SNOMED, open/view the map, and click the IMPORT button near the top of the page (see screen shot below).

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="/files/UMTWQUhtk1xRQ7axWRcf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Associated FAQs**

[What happens if map targets are inactive upon import?](/snomed-ct-user-guides/snap2snomed-user-guide/faqs/what-happens-if-map-targets-are-inactive-upon-import.md)

[What happens if the source code sets includes redundant codes?](/snomed-ct-user-guides/snap2snomed-user-guide/faqs/what-happens-if-the-source-code-sets-includes-redundant-codes.md)
{% endhint %}

<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTmbZIf0UEQwYDkY27EEWBkaiYkHSbR0_9DmFrMLXoQLyL7Q/viewform?usp=pp_url&#x26;entry.1767247133=snap2snomed+User+Guide&#x26;entry.670899847=Import%20an%20existing%20map%20file" class="button primary">Provide Feedback</a>


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.snomed.org/snomed-ct-user-guides/snap2snomed-user-guide/how-to-.../2.3-import-an-existing-map-file.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.