# Item categories

Item categories is the company configuration area for maintaining the categories and
subcategories used in the item-category list. Open it when you need to review the list or
maintain one of its category records.

| If you need to… | Go to |
|---|---|
| Check the fields and list columns | [Understand the Item categories screen](#understand-the-item-categories-screen) |
| Add or change a category | [Add and edit categories](#add-and-edit-categories) |
| Remove a category or export the list | [Delete or export list data](#delete-or-export-list-data) |
| Resolve a validation or save message | [When validation or saving goes wrong](#when-validation-or-saving-goes-wrong) |
| Classify products by product category | [Product categories](doc:configuration-company-product-categories) |

## Before you start

You need access to the company configuration area and the permission that matches the action you
want to perform. PAMS checks access when the page loads and checks new, edit, delete,
export, and import permissions.

| Before you start | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Access to the company configuration area | It lets you open the Item categories list. |
| The item-category feature included in your subscription | PAMS shows the subscription-upgrade surface when the feature is not included. |
| Permission to create | **New** appears only when new access is allowed. |
| Permission to edit | **Add New Sub-Category** and **Edit** appear only when edit access is allowed. |
| Permission to delete | The row delete action appears only when delete access is allowed. |
| Permission to export | The export action is available only when export access is allowed. |

Importing is not part of the category-maintenance procedures.

With access in place, find the Item categories list.

## Find Item categories

The Item categories list is a company configuration list. Open the company configuration area and
select **Item Categories**.

Prerequisites

- You are signed in to PAMS.
- You have access to company configuration.

Steps

1. Open the company configuration area.
2. Select **Item Categories**.

**Result:** The Item categories list opens.

## Understand the Item categories screen

The screen lists item categories in a **Category** column and opens category details in a dialog.
The same dialog pattern is used for a category and for a subcategory.

An item category is a named entry in the item-category list. A subcategory is a named entry under
its parent category. The category dialog contains **Product category name**. The subcategory dialog
contains **Sub product category name**. Both fields are required and use the page's pattern validation. The
product-category list contains **Product code**; this Item categories list does not.

| Area | What to use |
|---|---|
| Category list | The **Category** column. |
| Category dialog | **Product category name**. |
| Subcategory dialog | **Sub product category name**. |
| Existing record | The log-history area can appear when the record has an ID. |

The list shows its rows without a search panel or paging controls. Reordering rows is available on
the product-category list, not on this Item categories list.

If you are not signed in when you open the address, the page can show **Email**, **Password**,
**Remember Me**, and **Login**, together with **Forgot Your Password?** and **Reset Password**.
Complete sign-in before using the Item categories list.

![Sign-in fields shown before the Item categories list](https://atloriaassets.blob.core.windows.net/assets/a438221c-c1af-407c-b9e6-a56c986db846/e8db9011e06f3a16d8c8accd4dee2508.png)

Use the fields and columns above to choose the maintenance action you need.

## Add and edit categories

A subcategory is opened from its parent row with **Add New Sub-Category**.

### Add or edit a category

Prerequisites

- You are on the Item categories list.
- For a new record, you have new permission.
- For a subcategory or an existing record, you have edit permission.

Steps

1. Choose the action that matches your task.

   | If you need to… | Select |
   |---|---|
   | Add a top-level category | **New** above the list |
   | Add a subcategory under a row | **Add New Sub-Category** on that row |
   | Change an existing category | **Edit** on that row |

2. In **Product category name**, enter the category name when the category dialog is open.
3. In **Sub product category name**, enter the subcategory name when the subcategory dialog is
   open.
4. Finish the dialog.

   | If you need to… | Select |
   |---|---|
   | Save the category or subcategory | **Save** |
   | Close without completing the maintenance action | **Cancel** |

**Result:** PAMS displays `Data saved Successfully`, closes the dialog, and updates or repaints the
list.

![Category dialog with the category name field and save controls](https://atloriaassets.blob.core.windows.net/assets/a438221c-c1af-407c-b9e6-a56c986db846/40cbd5134c940aed4af560a13875e9eb.png)

## Delete or export list data

Delete removes a category after a confirmation. Export opens the list-export dialog; both actions
are distinct from adding or editing a category.

### Delete a category or export the list

Prerequisites

- You are on the Item categories list.
- You have delete permission to remove a row or export permission to export the list.

Steps

1. Choose the action that matches your task.

   | If you need to… | Select |
   |---|---|
   | Remove a row | The delete action on that row |
   | Export the list | **Export** in the page controls |

2. Complete the selected action.

   | If you selected… | Do this |
   |---|---|
   | The row delete action | Read `Are you sure you want to delete this item?`, then select **Delete**. |
   | **Export** | Choose an export option in the export dialog, or select **Cancel** to close it without exporting. |

**Result:** After a successful deletion, PAMS displays `Data Deleted Successfully` and removes the
row from the list. The export path opens its export options and closes when you select **Cancel**.

## When validation or saving goes wrong

Use the exact message to identify the correction required.

| Message | What to do |
|---|---|
| `This Field Is Required` | Enter a value in the required name field. |
| `Just '_'‘-''.' And '&' Characters Accepted` | Correct the name so it follows the accepted character pattern. |
| `Must have maximum 10 letters` | Shorten the value to no more than 10 letters. |
| `Please Enter the Required Field` | Enter the required category or subcategory name before saving. |
| `Required Field can not be Empty Spaces` | Replace a value made only of spaces with a name. |
| `Are you sure you want to delete this item?` | Select **Delete** to confirm or **Cancel** to leave the row unchanged. |
| `Data saved Successfully` | The save completed and the dialog closes. |
| `Data Deleted Successfully` | The deletion completed and the row is removed. |

## After maintaining item categories

After a successful save, the category dialog closes and the list is updated or repainted. After a
successful delete, the row is removed and the list is refreshed.

Use [Product categories](doc:configuration-company-product-categories) when you need the
product-category list. **Product code** belongs to that list.