> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.norrnext.com/norrcompetition/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.norrnext.com/norrcompetition/categories/managing-categories.md).

# Managing Categories

Learn how to manage contest categories in NorrCompetition.

To manage categories in NorrCompetition, navigate to **Components > NorrCompetition > Categories** or click on the **Categories** icon on the NorrCompetition Control Panel dashboard.

<figure><img src="https://norrnext.com/images/docs/norrcompetition/categories/categories_cpanel.png" alt="Categories Icon"><figcaption><p>Categories Dashboard Icon</p></figcaption></figure>

The main Categories view displays the hierarchical list of categories:

<figure><img src="https://norrnext.com/images/docs/norrcompetition/categories/categories_list.png" alt="Categories List"><figcaption><p>Categories List</p></figcaption></figure>

### Search Tools & Filters

* **Search** – search categories by title or alias.
* **Select State** – filter by publication status (*Published*, *Unpublished*, *Archived*, or *Trashed*).
* **Select Access** – filter by viewing access level.
* **Select Language** – filter by assigned content language in multilingual setups.
* **Select Max Levels** – restrict tree depth display.
* **Select Tag** – filter categories by assigned tags.
* **Sort Table By** – sort by Ordering, Status, Title, Access, Language, or ID.
* **List Limit** – select items per page.

### Table Columns

* **Ordering** – drag and drop rows or adjust ordering numbers to organize hierarchy.
* **Checkbox** – select multiple categories for batch operations.
* **State** – publication status (*Published*, *Unpublished*, *Archived*, or *Trashed*). Unpublished categories hide all assigned contests from the frontend.
* **Title** – category title and nested indentation showing parent/child relationships. Click the title to open the category edit form.
* **Access** – viewing access level required.
* **Language** – language assignment (*All* or specific language).
* **ID** – unique category identifier.

### Toolbar Actions

* **New** – opens the form to create a new category. See [Creating Category](/norrcompetition/categories/creating-category.md).
* **Edit** – opens the selected category for editing.
* **Publish** – publishes selected categories.
* **Unpublish** – unpublishes selected categories.
* **Archive** – archives selected categories.
* **Check-in** – checks in locked categories.
* **Batch** – opens the batch processing modal to move, copy, or update access levels across selected categories.
* **Rebuild** – recalculates the nested set database tree for categories if hierarchy paths become corrupted.
* **Trash** – moves selected categories to Trash. To permanently delete, filter by *Trashed* state, select the items, and click **Empty Trash**.

  <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="warning" class="hint hint-warning"><p>A category cannot be deleted if it contains contests. You must reassign or delete the contests first.</p></div>

### Reordering Categories

To adjust category ordering:

1. Click the **Ordering** column header to sort by ordering ascending.
2. Click and hold the three-dots drag handle icon next to any category.
3. Drag the category to its new position in the tree and release.