Advanced Mapping: Importing Data into Repeaters

Advanced Mapping: Importing Data into Repeaters

A repeater allows a section of your form to be duplicated, which is perfect for lists of information like emergency contacts. This guide explains how to map data from your import file to the fields inside a repeater.

Before you begin, ensure your source file is formatted correctly for a repeater import.
  1. For untransformed CSV files, data must be tab-separated within a single cell.
  2. For transformed data, your final XML must use <instance> nodes.
For a full explanation of these requirements, please see the file preparation articles in the Getting Started Section.

How Repeater Mapping is Different

The process for mapping a field inside a repeater is nearly identical to mapping a standard field, with one key difference: you must select a field that is located inside a repeater section.

Once you select a field inside the repeater and map a source column to it (e.g., {ContactNames}), the system automatically handles the rest. It will detect the separated data (from tabs or <instance> nodes) and create as many repeater instances as needed.

You do not use indexed expressions like {Column[0]} for this process.

For the general, step-by-step process of using the Import Panel (selecting the Source, Alias, and Expression), please refer to our guide on basic mapping.

See the full guide: Introduction to Field Mapping

Important Note on Unmapped Fields

Warning: When you import data into a repeater, any field inside that repeater that you do not map will have its existing data cleared. The import process assumes your source file is the complete source of truth for the repeater, so be sure to map every field within the repeater that you want to retain data.

Next Steps

You've now learned how to map data into dynamic, repeatable sections. Depending on your import needs, you can either continue to the next advanced mapping topic or move on to learn about data transformations.

Path 1: Continue with Advanced Mapping

If your import requires mapping multiple source rows into different static sections of your form (e.g., Guardian 1, Guardian 2), the next article is for you.

Path 2: Move on to Data Transformation

If you don't need to use indexed expressions and are ready to learn how to clean, restructure, or modify your data before it's imported, you can proceed to the next major section.