> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/standard-shapes/map-shape/importing-and-exporting-map-shape-configurations.md).

# Importing & exporting map shape configurations

## Introduction

If you're building multiple process flows with similar requirements for field mappings, you can [export](#exporting-a-mapping-configuration) the configuration for a map shape, and then [import](#importing-a-mapping-configuration) that configuration into another map shape.

When a map shape configuration is exported, a JSON file is generated and saved (automatically) to the default download folder for your browser. All [field mappings](/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/standard-shapes/map-shape/working-with-field-mappings.md) and associated [transformations](/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/standard-shapes/map-shape/working-with-field-transformations/available-transform-functions.md) are exported. You can then import this file to any other map shape within:

* The same process flow
* Other process flows for your company profile
* Other process flows for any of your linked company profiles

## Exporting a mapping configuration

To export the configuration for a map shape, follow the steps below:

**Step 1**\
Access the required process flow, then click the settings icon for the map shape that you want to export:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2440044887-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FLYNcUBVQwSkOMG6KjZfz%2Fuploads%2Ft53M3SBiM4BtbUEzdTFT%2Fexport%20map%20config%200.png?alt=media&amp;token=ef4c9195-2980-40f6-ad05-d5c53f84c9b6" alt="" width="320"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Step 2**\
Click the **export map** button:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2440044887-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FLYNcUBVQwSkOMG6KjZfz%2Fuploads%2Fb6pLezzdkZYkjECIsB36%2Fexport%20map%20config%201.png?alt=media&amp;token=3ff5cead-6ddb-4fc0-b8f5-9258ea9ee19f" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Step 3**\
The configuration is exported and saved to your default downloads folder. The filename is always `map.json`.

## Importing a mapping configuration

To import a mapping configuration into a map shape, follow the steps below:

**Step 1**\
Access the required process flow, then click the settings icon for the map shape that you want to update:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2440044887-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FLYNcUBVQwSkOMG6KjZfz%2Fuploads%2Ft53M3SBiM4BtbUEzdTFT%2Fexport%20map%20config%200.png?alt=media&amp;token=ef4c9195-2980-40f6-ad05-d5c53f84c9b6" alt="" width="320"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
You can import a mapping configuration into a new map shape, or into an existing one. If you import a configuration into an existing map shape, any existing mappings will be overwritten.
{% endhint %}

**Step 2**\
Click the **import map** button:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2440044887-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FLYNcUBVQwSkOMG6KjZfz%2Fuploads%2FZ2PKj1ghOovdZ5YH5ZaV%2Fimport%20map%201.png?alt=media&amp;token=4398973d-4f79-4008-8a75-097b6447e13e" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Step 3**\
Navigate to the downloaded map configuration file on your local drive, then select it.

{% hint style="info" %}
The default filename for exported map configuration files is `map.json`.
{% endhint %}

**Step 4**\
Having selected a valid mapping configuration file to import, the import completes immediately.