LP2: Categories and Dropdowns

Introduction

The Category Structure is a tool used for grouping like-terms in a hierarchical structure. This brings consistency to data capture within forms and across activities, which helps with reporting capabilities. Categories are created in the Admin section of e-flow and used to create dropdown fields in Form Tasks.

When building a category structure, you will start with a root category (e.g., Pack Format, Brand); the root category can encompass multiple sub-categories (e.g., outer label, carton, or sleeve). Each sub-category can also have its own sub-category.

Navigate to your categories via the Admin panel, then 'Glossaries' and then 'Category Structure'.

Add a Root Category

1. In the Category Structure screen, click the 'Add Root Category' button in the top-right.

2. Enter the display name then click 'Add Root Category'.

3. All root categories will appear one after the other.

Add a Category to a Root

1. Highlight the correct root category you want the new category to sit under, then click 'Add Category' in the top-right.

2. Enter a display name for the new category then click 'Add Category'.

3. The new category can be found under its root category. Click the little arrow next to the icon to expand a category and show all its sub-categories.

Rename a Category

It is possible to update/rename categories. When doing so, the user can chose to retrospectively amend
all records where the category is being used, or only make the change for any records created in the
future.

1. Firstly, highlight the relevant category you wish to rename, then click on the drop-down arrow next to 'Add Categories' to display available options.

2. Select 'Rename' to bring up the Rename Category modal. Confirming this will complete the action.

Delete a Category

1. Firstly, select that category and select 'Delete' from the drop-down menu.

2. In the Delete Category? modal, enter the reason for deletion and enter your password to digitally sign the action.

Re-order Categories

There are two ways you can arrange categories:

• Drag and drop: any category can be dragged vertically to change its position in the list.

Note: categories can only be arranged within their current 'level'. That is, a root category can only be re-arranged amongst the other root categories.

• Sort Children Alphabetically: the option to sort categories by A - Z or Z - A can be found in the dropdown menu next to 'Add Category'. 

All categories and sub-categories will be sorted underneath the currently selected root.

Dropdowns

Dropdowns are featured in forms and consist of options set up in the admin area of e-flow. An example of a dropdown would be 'Country of Sale': this would feature all the countries added into this particular dropdown. 

Dropdown fields include a small downwards pointing arrow on the right: when clicked, it will show a list of the data populated in the dropdown. Dropdowns can be required or optional, this is customisable per client based on their requirements.

Selecting the Dropdown

Once the dropdown has been selected all the options will populate and these can be selected by clicking the left-hand side box or by clicking 'Select all'.

Searching in Dropdowns

Users are able to search for a value and press enter to view only values sharing those characters.

See more:

LP2: Completing Form Tasks

LP2: Task Types and Configuring an Activity Template