> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.metalocator.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Introduction to Categories

MetaLocator Categories are the primary way to separate, filter, and organize data. A single record can belong to multiple categories. To view existing categories in the MetaLocator Control Panel, navigate to **Data > Categories**.

For more information on managing categories in multiple languages, see [Managing Multiple Languages](https://intercom.help/metalocator/en/articles/1621944-language-and-internationalization).

---

## Uses of Categories

Categories can be used to:

* Present a list of checkboxes on the [search form](https://support.metalocator.com/en/articles/4367059-customizing-the-search-form) to filter by category
* Display [categories in the results](https://support.metalocator.com/en/articles/9216368-categories-display-options-in-results).
* Filter the data [in the interface to a specific category](https://intercom.help/metalocator/en/articles/1621981-filtering-data-by-category)
* [Prioritize one group](https://support.metalocator.com/en/articles/1656293-featured-locations-and-prioritization-of-results) of records over another
* [Control the map marker](https://support.metalocator.com/en/articles/1655704-map-marker-icons) icon of certain records
* [Display a legend](https://support.metalocator.com/en/articles/1659871-adding-a-marker-legend) of map marker icons

---

## Creating and Editing Categories

1. To create a new category, click **New** in the toolbar.
2. To edit an existing category, click its name.

[![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/8/0/3/b/803b7dec61b22800/34145efb-19a2-4a24-9524-96dcbf_1czdpao.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/yn1vvwtq/1841150300/c5a3bc0fbdd0d1684f2ec258c0c0/image.png?expires=1794512700&signature=c138a7bba0bf1386116f489277d7ceb49d8fdf5c90f2f7182688092c1a28b30a&req=dSgjF8h7nYJfWfMW1HO4zYAORORZN2rUc4oCLErsTujDDZVppv8pHqJbi%2Bo9%0AYXqamlwXIHxoAtrP13w%3D%0A)

Both actions open the **Category Editor**, which uses a tabbed layout.

---

## Basic Information

* **Name:** Label for the category. Users will see this text. Supports multiple languages.
* **Color:** Color class for the category, matching the Interface Builder **Style & Color** settings.
**Icon:** Icon representing the category.

[![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/1/e/9/a1e9e817aff33800/9305c167-7c6e-4869-adab-0c59ec_714tch.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/yn1vvwtq/1841150469/fa2d4c30d037ba54a5601b2e332b/image.png?expires=1794512700&signature=349014c80149e3c9c2cc7a892b1449796c9ec6bd0f592ef1bf7ad52120bf73d3&req=dSgjF8h7nYVZUPMW1HO4zeIExtzA%2F9dkp%2Fj94RJECMhDAnEIDn%2FurekLADbL%0Aj3DI%0A)

---

## Category Options

* **Ordering:** Numeric order of the category; affects icon priority when a record belongs to multiple categories.
* **Group Name:** Assign multiple categories to the same group to display them as collections on the search form.
* **Marker URL:** Image used for map markers.
* **Prioritize In Search Results:** Promotes records in this category above others in search results.
* **Show in Legend:** Option to hide the category in the map legend.
* **Show in Front-end Location Form:** Option to hide the category from the public data entry form.

---

## Importing Categories

Categories can be imported in two formats:

1. **Individual Categories:** Enter categories as a comma-separated list in the header row, e.g.:

```
Category 1, Category 2, Category 3
```

Each value will be created as a separate category.
2. **Category Groups:** Enter multiple categories under a single header as a semi-colon delimited list to create a group, e.g.:

```
Products: Product A; Product B; Product C
```

This will assign all listed products to the **Products** category group in the interface.

For more guidance on importing data, see [Introduction to Importing Data](https://support.metalocator.com/en/articles/1655854-introduction-to-importing-data).