1 ## Configuring the Import
3 Which OSM objects are added to the database and which of the tags are used
4 can be configured via the import style configuration file. This
5 is a JSON file which contains a list of rules which are matched against every
6 tag of every object and then assign the tag its specific role.
8 The style to use is given by the `NOMINATIM_IMPORT_STYLE` configuration
9 option. There are a number of default styles, which are explained in detail
10 in the [Import section](../admin/Import.md#filtering-imported-data). These
11 standard styles may be referenced by their name.
13 You can also create your own custom style. Put the style file into your
14 project directory and then set `NOMINATIM_IMPORT_STYLE` to the name of the file.
15 It is always recommended to start with one of the standard styles and customize
16 those. You find the standard styles under the name `import-<stylename>.style`
17 in the standard Nominatim configuration path (usually `/etc/nominatim` or
18 `/usr/local/etc/nominatim`).
20 The remainder of the page describes the format of the file.
22 ### Configuration Rules
24 A single rule looks like this:
28 "keys" : ["key1", "key2", ...],
31 "value2" : "prop1,prop2"
36 A rule first defines a list of keys to apply the rule to. This is always a list
37 of strings. The string may have four forms. An empty string matches against
38 any key. A string that ends in an asterisk `*` is a prefix match and accordingly
39 matches against any key that starts with the given string (minus the `*`). A
40 suffix match can be defined similarly with a string that starts with a `*`. Any
41 other string constitutes an exact match.
43 The second part of the rules defines a list of values and the properties that
44 apply to a successful match. Value strings may be either empty, which
45 means that they match any value, or describe an exact match. Prefix
46 or suffix matching of values is not possible.
48 For a rule to match, it has to find a valid combination of keys and values. The
49 resulting property is that of the matched values.
51 The rules in a configuration file are processed sequentially and the first
52 match for each tag wins.
54 A rule where key and value are the empty string is special. This defines the
55 fallback when none of the rules match. The fallback is always used as a last
56 resort when nothing else matches, no matter where the rule appears in the file.
57 Defining multiple fallback rules is not allowed. What happens in this case,
62 One or more of the following properties may be given for each tag:
66 A principal tag. A new row will be added for the object with key and value
67 as `class` and `type`.
71 When the tag is a principal tag (`main` property set): only really add a new
72 row, if there is any name tag found (a reference tag is not sufficient, see
77 When the tag is a principal tag (`main` property set): only really add a new
78 row, if there is also a name tag that matches the key of the principal tag.
79 For example, if the main tag is `bridge=yes`, then it will only be added as
80 an extra row, if there is a tag `bridge:name[:XXX]` for the same object.
81 If this property is set, all other names that are not domain-specific are
86 When the tag is a principal tag (`main` property set): only really add a new
87 row, when no other principal tags for this object have been found. Only one
88 fallback tag can win for an object.
92 When the tag is a principal tag (`main` property set): also include the
93 `operator` tag in the list of names. This is a special construct for an
94 out-dated tagging practise in OSM. Fuel stations and chain restaurants
95 in particular used to have the name of the chain tagged as `operator`.
96 These days the chain can be more commonly found in the `brand` tag but
97 there is still enough old data around to warrant this special case.
101 Add tag to the list of names.
105 Add tag to the list of names as a reference. At the moment this only means
106 that the object is not considered to be named for `with_name`.
110 Add tag to the list of address tags. If the tag starts with `addr:` or
111 `is_in:`, then this prefix is cut off before adding it to the list.
115 Add the value as a postcode to the address tags. If multiple tags are
116 candidate for postcodes, one wins out and the others are dropped.
120 Add the value as a country code to the address tags. The value must be a
121 two letter country code, otherwise it is ignored. If there are multiple
122 tags that match, then one wins out and the others are dropped.
126 If no principle tags can be found for the object, still add the object with
127 `class`=`place` and `type`=`house`. Use this for address nodes that have no
132 Add this object as an address interpolation (appears as `class`=`place` and
133 `type`=`houses` in the database).
137 Add tag to the list of extra tags.
141 Skip the tag completely. Useful when a custom default fallback is defined
142 or to define exceptions to rules.
144 A rule can define as many of these properties for one match as it likes. For
145 example, if the property is `"main,extra"` then the tag will open a new row
146 but also have the tag appear in the list of extra tags.
148 ### Changing the Style of Existing Databases
150 There is normally no issue changing the style of a database that is already
151 imported and now kept up-to-date with change files. Just be aware that any
152 change in the style applies to updates only. If you want to change the data
153 that is already in the database, then a reimport is necessary.