TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Use Cases
- Access Category Attributes
- Understanding Category Attributes
- System-Defined Category Attributes
- Add a Category Attribute
- Category Attribute Configuration Fields
- Edit a Category Attribute
- Delete a Category Attribute
- Validation
- Additional Information for Image Attributes
- Manage Attribute Values
- Notes and Best Practices
- Limitations
- Result
Overview
Category Attributes define the data structure and descriptive information associated with categories in Znode. These attributes help Administrators manage category content, control category behavior, and provide information displayed throughout the Storefront. New categories automatically inherit Category Attributes from the associated Product Attribute Category, helping maintain consistency across the product catalog. Category Attributes can be system-defined or custom-created to support specific business requirements.
Use Cases
- Define category names, descriptions, and images.
- Control category display order within navigation menus.
- Add category-specific marketing content and banners.
- Support localized category information across multiple regions.
- Configure searchable category information.
- Create custom category fields to support unique business requirements.
Access Category Attributes
- Navigate to PIM > Category Attributes.
- Review the list of available category attributes.
- Select an existing attribute to edit or create a new attribute as needed.
Understanding Category Attributes
Attribute Details
Attribute Details define the actual characteristics stored for a category, such as:
- Category name
- Images
- Descriptions
- Display settings
- Custom business information
Attribute Types
Attribute Types determine the format of data accepted by the attribute and how Znode processes that data.
Supported attribute types include:
| Attribute Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Date | Creates a date field with optional minimum and maximum dates. |
| Label | Creates a text-based value used for filtering and supports multiple values. |
| Text | Accepts text input and supports validation rules, regular expressions, unique values, and personalization options. |
| Multi Select | Allows users to select multiple values from a list. |
| Yes/No | Displays a Yes/No toggle option. |
| Simple Select | Allows selection of a single value from a predefined list and can be used for configurable products and facets. |
| Number | Accepts numeric values with configurable limits and formatting rules. |
| File | Supports document and media file uploads with configurable size and extension restrictions. |
| Image | Supports image uploads with configurable size, extension, and multi-upload options. |
| Text Area | Provides a larger text field with character limits and optional WYSIWYG editing. |
| Link | Associates related products with a product. |
System-Defined Category Attributes
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| CategoryName | Internal category name used within the platform and displayed in category navigation. |
| Category Title | Displayed as the category page title. |
| DisplayOrderCategory | Determines category order in navigation menus. Lower values appear first. |
| CategoryImage | Stores the category image displayed on the Storefront. Supported image files must be smaller than 1.5 MB. Images are automatically scaled for display. |
| Image Alt Text | Alternate text displayed when an image cannot be rendered. |
| Short Description | Optional summary of fewer than 100 characters used within search result listings. |
| Long Description | Rich-text content that can include images and formatted content. Commonly used for category landing pages and introductory content. |
| AdditionalDescription | Additional descriptive content for the category. |
| CategoryBanner | Rich-text content and images used for category banners. |
Add a Category Attribute
Create a New Category Attribute
- Navigate to PIM > Category Attributes.
- Select Attributes.
- Select Add Attributes.
- Select an Attribute Type.
- Enter a unique Code value.
- Configure the remaining attribute settings.
- Select Save.
The new attribute becomes available for category configuration.
Category Attribute Configuration Fields
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Attribute Type | Defines the data format accepted by the attribute. |
| Code | Unique alphanumeric identifier for the attribute. |
| Required | Determines whether a value must be provided. |
| Allowed Extensions | Allowed Extension (or Allowed File Extension) refers to the specific file types that a system, application, website, or upload control permits users to upload, import, or process. The supported file extensions are: .Bin, .Csv, .Doc, .Docx, .Dwg, .File, .Gz, .Pdf, .Ppt, .Rfa, .Tar, .Ttf, .Txt, .Xls, .Xlsx, .Zip |
| Allow Multiple Files | Allow Multiple Files is a setting that determines whether a user can upload or select more than one file in a single operation. When Allow Multiple Files = Yes/True, users can select and upload multiple files at once. When Allow Multiple Files = No/False, users can select and upload only one file at a time. |
| Is Localizable | Allows localized values for different languages and regions. |
| Is Shown on Grid | Displays the attribute as a column within applicable listing pages. |
| Validation Rule | Restricts accepted values using predefined validation options. |
| Regular Expression | Supports custom validation patterns. |
| Min Date | Earliest allowable date value for Date attributes. |
| Max Date | Latest allowable date value for Date attributes. |
| Max Characters | Limits the number of characters accepted. |
| Unique Value | Requires values to remain unique across records. |
| Attribute Group | Assigns the attribute to an attribute group. |
| Is Comparable | Enables use in product comparison functionality. |
| Is Used in Search | Includes the attribute in platform search operations. |
| Default Value | Sets a predefined value when the attribute is used. |
| Help Description | Displays instructional text for Administrators during data entry. |
| Display Order | Determines attribute position within its attribute group. |
Edit a Category Attribute
- Navigate to PIM > Category Attributes.
- Locate the required attribute.
- Open the attribute.
- Modify the required settings.
- Select Save.
- Verify that the updated settings are displayed successfully.
Delete a Category Attribute
- Navigate to PIM > Category Attributes.
- Locate the attribute to remove.
- Select Delete.
- Confirm the deletion.
The attribute is removed from the platform after successful confirmation.
Validation
After creating or updating a Category Attribute:
- The attribute appears in the Category Attributes list.
- The attribute can be assigned to category configurations.
- Configured validation rules restrict invalid data entry.
- Search-enabled attributes become available to platform search functionality when configured.
Additional Information for Image Attributes
- Navigate to PIM > Category Attributes > Attribute.
- Open the image attribute configuration.
- Specify the required image size settings.
- Select Save.
Category images displayed on the Storefront use the configured image size settings.
Manage Attribute Values
Certain attribute types support maintaining a predefined list of selectable values.
Supported attribute types include:
- Label
- Text
- Multi Select
- Simple Select
Add Attribute Values
- Navigate to PIM > Category Attributes > Attributes.
- Open the Category Attribute to manage values.
- Select the Locale/Values tab.
- Click Add New Value.
- Enter a unique value Code. The Code must be unique within the attribute and is used to identify the value.
- Enter the display value in the appropriate field.
- Click the Save action available on the value row. This saves the individual value record.
- Repeat the process for any additional values that need to be added.
- After all required values have been added or updated and each value row has been saved, click Save or Save & Close on the Edit Attribute page to commit the changes to the attribute.
Edit Attribute Values
- Open the required Category Attribute.
- Select the Locale/Values tab.
- Locate the value to modify.
- Update the required fields.
- Click the Save action available on the value row.
Important: When adding or editing an attribute value, the value row must be explicitly saved using the row-level Save action. When a value is added or modified and Save or Save & Close is clicked on the Edit Attribute page without first saving the value row, the new or updated value will not be persisted.
Expected Result
After the value row is successfully saved, the value becomes available for use by categories associated with the attribute. If a value is marked as the default value, it is automatically selected when the attribute is applied according to the attribute's configuration.
Delete Attribute Values
- Open the required Category Attribute.
- Select the Locale/Values tab.
- Locate the value to remove.
- Delete the value from the grid.
- Save the change as required.
Notes and Best Practices
- Use meaningful and consistent attribute codes to simplify catalog management.
- Group related attributes within the same Attribute Group.
- Apply validation rules whenever possible to improve data quality.
- Use localizable attributes when supporting multiple languages or regions.
- Configure display order values to maintain a consistent editing experience.
- Unlike Product Attributes, Category Attributes do not support the Swatch Image or Swatch Text value types. Only the Text value type is supported for Category Attributes.
Limitations
- System-defined Category Attributes cannot be deleted.
- Attributes currently assigned to categories cannot be deleted until dependencies are removed.
- Certain validation settings are available only for specific attribute types.
- Image uploads must be smaller than 1.5 MB for supported category image attributes.
Result
Category Attributes provide a flexible framework for managing category information in Znode. By combining native attributes with custom-defined fields, Administrators can create category structures that support catalog management, search optimization, navigation organization, and Storefront content presentation.