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Login to your Miva Admin and click “Add” next to Category.

Each category is defined by a code and a name. A title image can be used at the top of each category screen and a tree image can be specified to replace the name text in the store category tree. Each category can have a header and footer. Categories can have sub-categories to further organize your products. Finally, products are assigned to the category.

Category

Category Code

The code can include letters and numbers, up to 50 characters. Categories can be sorted by this code, by name, or by moving them manually up or down in the category list.

Category Name

The field is alphanumeric, with a length of up to 100 characters. The category name appears as a link in the category tree where the shopper can click it, and at the top of the category page as a heading.

In the case that either the category name link or page heading is replaced with an image, the text you enter here will be used as the alternative text (alt text) for the image. Descriptive text can enable shoppers using screen readers to navigate your site more easily. It also provides a helpful tool tip when any user holds the cursor over the image.

Parent Category

If this is to be a sub-category of another category, specify the code for the category under which it will be listed. You can enter the code directly, if you know it, or select it from a list of available categories by clicking Look Up.

Active

When Active is selected the category is displayed in the store. If this check box is cleared, the category will not appear. When a category is inactive any products in it that are included in multiple categories will continue to appear in the other categories they are assigned to.

Category Title

The image you specify here, if you choose to use an image in place of the category name text, is displayed above the products, and just below the category header. The text you entered for the category name will appear as a ScreenTip when the shopper moves the pointer over this image.

Category Tree

The image you specify here, if you choose to use images in the category tree is displayed in place of the category name text. The text you entered for the category name will appear as a ScreenTip when the shopper moves the pointer over this image.

Header & Footer

Each category has a unique header and footer and both can be created using HTML. Use this feature to create an identity for the category, highlight features, and promote the products.

Format the text, display graphics, and specify layout options. You can even use a container table, opening in the header and closing in the footer, to affect the formatting and background color of the whole category area of the screen.

The first version you create for each will be stored in the version history as “Original”. Subsequent versions are labeled with the history notes you enter.

Products

When you have created the new category, by clicking Add or Add+, a Products tab will be added to those at the top of the screen. Select the check boxes for products to assign to the category or clear those you wish to remove. Products can be belong to multiple categories.

Put Products in Order

To change the order in which products in the category are displayed, click Assigned. This will limit the list to showing only those product that are in the category. The Move Up and Move Down arrows will become available, and you can use them to put the products in the exact order you want them to appear to customers.

Additional Information

You can also create new sub-categories, new products, and assign them to the category directly from the left navigation menu. Under the store name, expand the Categories sub-menu, then expand the category. Click Add Sub-category, or Add Product.

These features add a new category or new product in the usual way and assign it to the category you created it under by default.
About Deleting Categories

There are two ways to delete a category. You can go to the Edit Category screen for that category and click Delete or on the Categories screen select the check box in the Remove column and click Update.

When you delete a category, you permanently remove it from your MIVA Merchant system. Any title and tree image assignments and customization of the header and footer, along with the version history, will be lost.

If you think you might want to reinstate the category at some point, you can simply make it inactive by clearing the Active check box on the Edit Category screen. It will not appear in your store and you can reactivate it any time if you choose.

When you delete a category the products that were assigned to that category are not deleted. If they are also assigned to other categories they will continue to be appear there. If they are not assigned to any other categories customers will only see them on the Product List screen.

When you delete a category the subcategories belonging to it are not deleted. Any categories under the category you delete will be moved up a level in the hierarchy. Here’s an example:

Decor

Paintings

Sculptures

Furniture

Indoor Furniture

Patio Furniture

Garden

If we were to delete the category Furniture, we would have:

Decor

Paintings

Sculptures

Indoor Furniture
Patio Furniture
Garden

The two subcategories, Indoor Furniture and Patio Furniture, are now top-level categories.