Categories and the main menu | Magento 2 guides

Categories make up the shop's main menu. Each category can be in the menu or just a collection of products (for example, for a promotion) that a link leads to.

New category

Catalog › Categories

In the tree on the left, click the category the new one will go under, then click Add Subcategory.
1. Add Subcategory - a new category under the selected one.
2. The selected category in the tree.
Fill in the basic fields and click Save.
1. Enable Category
2. Include in Menu - switch it off if the category does not belong in the menu.
3. Category Name - the name shown in the menu.

Add Root Category creates a new tree that the shop does not display. For the menu, always use Add Subcategory.

Order and moving

Grab a category in the tree and drag it to a new place or under another category. The order in the tree is the order in the menu. Click Expand All to see the whole tree.

Products in a category

Expand the Products in Category section. Click Reset Filter to see all the products in the shop, then tick the ones that belong in the category.

Ticked products are in the category. Position sets the order (a lower number comes first).
You can also add products on the product itself, in the Categories field.

Other sections

Content - the category image and description above the products.
Display Settings - Anchor = Yes means the category also shows the products of its subcategories, and filters.
Search Engine Optimization - URL Key. When you change it, leave Create Permanent Redirect for old URL ticked so old links keep working.

You enter this text for each store language separately. In the scope switcher at the top left choose the language (store view), clear Use Default Value next to the field and enter the translation.

Common problems

The new category is not in the menu

Check Enable Category and Include in Menu, then flush the cache.

The category is empty, even though products have been added

The products are disabled, out of stock or have the visibility "Not Visible Individually". Also check Anchor on the parent category.

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Adding a new productProducts and categories Product imagesProducts and categories Stock, pre-orders and minimum quantityProducts and categories Special price for a single productProducts and categories Related products, up-sells and cross-sellsProducts and categories

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