**Source URL:** https://safety.veevavault.help/en/lr/1271024/

# Create Tabular Data Formats for Importing Literature References

_Tabular Data Format_ records define custom data mappings for importing literature references from database files, allowing users to flexibly import literature data from a variety of sources beyond the standard supported formats (such as RIS and JAPIC ZIP). Similar to the Safety intake use case, each [_Tabular Data Format_][1] contains [_Import Field Mappings_][2] that specify how Vault maps data from columns in the imported file to fields on the _Literature Article_ or _Literature Author_ object.

Vault supports custom data mapping for importing the following file formats:

* CSV
* TXT
* ZIP (containing CSV or TXT) files

We recommend you create a unique _Tabular Data Format_ for each unique file format from a literature database from which you plan to import _Literature Articles_. This allows users to select the appropriate _Tabular Data Format_ based on the source of the import file.

## Prerequisite

To use this feature, you must enable Importing Literature References from Databases.

## Create a Tabular Data Format {#create-tabular-data-format}

To create a _Tabular Data Format_:

1. Navigate to **Business Admin > Objects > Tabular Data Formats**.
2. Select **Create**.
3. Populate the applicable fields, then select **Save**:
   * **Format**: Enter a name.
   * **Tabular Data Format Type**: Select **Literature Article** to import _Literature Article_ or _Literature Author_ data.
   * **Country**: Select the relevant _Country_.
   * **Encoding**: Select an encoding type.

Next, create [_Import Field Mappings_][2] for the _Tabular Data Format_ to define how Vault maps data from columns in your imported files to fields within any _Literature Articles_ and _Literature Authors_ Vault creates during the import process.

## Create an Import Field Mapping {#create-import-field-mapping}

To create an _Import Field Mapping_:

1.  Navigate to **Business Admin > Objects > Tabular Data Formats > [Tabular Data Format]**.
2.  Expand the **Field Mapping** section, then select **Create**.
3.  Populate the applicable fields, then select **Save**:
    *   **Tabular Data Format**: Vault populates the initiating _Tabular Data Format_.
    *   **Source Column Header**: Enter the exact name of the column header in the CSV file.
    *   **Target Object Name**: Enter the name of the Vault object to which the target field belongs:
        * To import _Literature Article_ data, enter `literature_article__v`
        * To import _Literature Author_ data, enter `literature_article_author__v`
    * **Target Field Name**: Enter the name of the Vault object field to which Vault should map data in this column, using the format `field_name__v`.

**Note**: Consider the following when defining a _Target Field Name_:

*  When defining a field mapping for a column that may contain multiple authors,  unpredictable first or last name formatting, or a list of comma-separated authors, we recommend mapping it to the `raw__v` field on the `literature_article__v` object.
* Vault supports mapping to text and date fields, but not object reference fields (such as the _Organization_ field on the _Literature Article_).

[1]: #create-tabular-data-format
[2]: #create-import-field-mapping