How to normalize country names and codes consistently
A country-code normalization task maps supplied country values to a chosen coding convention. It is useful when imports mix names, abbreviations and standardized identifiers.
Start with the right material.
- What you provide
- a visible country column plus desired code standard.
- The intended result
- Map unambiguous country labels and flag ambiguous abbreviations rather than guessing.
How the workflow works.
Choose the target standard and retain the original value. Resolve known aliases through explicit mappings and mark ambiguous abbreviations for review rather than guessing from a nearby address or language.
What to check in the result.
Check unusual or unmatched values against the intended standard. A short code used internally may not mean the same thing as an official country identifier.
Import the CSV with a consistent delimiter and inspect text identifiers, dates and amounts before using spreadsheet totals. Keep the original file available while checking any automatic type conversion.
Learn from the worked example.
The downloadable CSV example uses these columns: Original label, ISO 3166-1 alpha-2, Status. Compare a complete record with the source before sorting, combining or importing your own output.
The supplied example is illustrative. It is not a recorded run on your data.
Download the example ↓Use it with your own material.
- Open the source you want to work with and activate WebAct on that tab.
- Copy the task from the hero, add any required fields or preferences, and review the proposed actions.
- Compare the first result with your source. Ask for a specific correction or refinement where needed.