--- updatedAt: 2026-06-12T19:26:04.000Z agentTools: projectIndex: https://support.zoey.com/llms.txt --- # Importing Categories Category Import for creating new categories or updating details of existing categories in bulk through CSV. > πŸ‘ Export First > > It is much easier to make changes or create sub-categories after exporting your Categories to CSV. ## Exporting Categories Access your Categories in **Products > Categories**. Then select the Categories, open the Bulk Actions and click **Export Categories**. *** ## How To Import Categories Start by exporting your existing categories and use the CSV file as a template. > πŸ“˜ When you import new Categories, you must list them using `'_1`, `_2`, `_3` as the *category\_id*. > > Examples of this are included in our [Template and Guide.](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aX2Pk9UDTDKZIlmPJQekVbogT3BA4CtI_psfFh7GRdo/edit?usp=sharing) 1. Export your Top Level Categories - this will give you their category data so that you can make changes or add more categories. 2. Create an Import CSV file for "Sub-Categories" or child categories. It's the same format, but you will fill in the `parent_category_id` fields from step 1 into the rows of the categories you are going to create in this step. You can also make any changes to your export to update existing category data. 3. Import your files and check the changes in **Products > Categories.** Repeat step 2 as needed if you have multiple sub-levels of categories (like Mens > Shirts > Polos). ## Category Import Template and Guide > πŸ‘ *[Click Here to Save A Copy Of This Template and Guide to your Google Drive](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aX2Pk9UDTDKZIlmPJQekVbogT3BA4CtI_psfFh7GRdo/edit?usp=sharing)* > > [Or click here to download the file as .xlsx](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aX2Pk9UDTDKZIlmPJQekVbogT3BA4CtI_psfFh7GRdo/export?format=xlsx) ### Required Columns | category\_id | category\_name | parent\_category\_id | is\_active | | :----------- | :--------------- | :------------------- | :--------- | | 117 | Room | 2 | 1 | | \_2 | Kitchen and Bath | 117 | 1 | | \_3 | Office | 117 | 1 | | \_4 | Yard | 117 | | ### All Columns (Optional and Required) | category\_id | category\_name | parent\_category\_id | is\_active | description | url\_key | meta\_title | meta\_description | default\_sort\_by | include\_in\_navigation | include\_in\_navigation\_mobile | zoey\_include\_in\_filters | zoey\_children\_in\_filters | zoey\_price\_in\_filters | is\_anchor | image | thumbnail | | :----------- | :------------- | :------------------- | :--------- | :---------- | :--------- | :---------- | :---------------- | :---------------- | :---------------------- | :------------------------------ | :------------------------- | :-------------------------- | :----------------------- | :--------- | :------------------------------ | :------------------------------ | | \_1 | Category 1 | 1 | 1 | Category 1 | category-1 | Category 1 | Category 1 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ![](https://cdn.com/imageA.jpg) | ![](https://cdn.com/imageA.jpg) | ### Category Access Restriction Import > πŸ‘ You can import your Category Access Restrictions through the columns described at the link below. > > [Click Here](https://support.zoey.com/docs/category-access-restriction#updating-category-restriction-settings-via-csv) for importing Category Access Restrictions. *** ## Category Import / Export Columns > 🚧 Here are the column headers for importing and exporting Categories. | Column | Description | Values Required | | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `category_id` | When you import new categories, you must list them using `_1`, `_2`, `_3` as the `category_id`.

If you are modifying categories, this must be filled in with the category ID. | Required for modifying categories; must be blank for creating new categories. | | `category_name` | Avoid HTML or special characters.
Name is also used for SEO `meta_title` automatically. | Required | | `parent_category_id` | Leave blank to make it a top-level category.

If you want a new category to be a child of another category, like `>Mens>Shirts`, you must put the `category_id` of the Mens category into the `parent_category_id` field of the Shirts category. This can be done when creating or modifying the category.

Category IDs can be found by going to **Advanced > Import/Export > Categories** and exporting your categories. | Required for creating and modifying; otherwise, it will move the category. | | `is_active` | `1` = yes, `0` = no | Required | | `description` | This is the Category Description that can be added to your Category Template using the drag-and-drop design editor. | Required as a column header even if no row data is put in. | | `meta_keywords` | What search engines will read as the keywords to use. | | | `meta_title` | What search engines will read as the title to use for this category. | | | `meta_description` | For SEO purposes. Limit to 255 characters. | | | `design_template` | The value for this column is the label for the category template in **Edit My Design**, such as `Category` or `Category - New Template`.

Note: this is case sensitive. | | | `include_in_navigation` | Include this category in the Header Navigation, as long as categories are enabled for the header navigation in your theme.

`1` = yes, `0` = no | Required | | `is_anchor` | β€œIs Anchor” means: show products from all child categories.

`1` = yes, `0` = no | Required | | `url_key` | The URL string of the category. For example, `mens` would be `domain.com/mens`. | | | `default_sort_by` | This is the default sort order of the category products:

`position`
`price_high_to_low`
`price_low_to_high`
`newest_to_oldest`
`name`

Or a custom attribute code for any attribute that is used for sorting. | | | `available_sort_by` | Leave blank for all, or specify comma-separated values, such as `name,position`. | | | `image` | Images must first be uploaded to your File Manager at **Advanced > File Manager**. Then use the full URL from the file manager for this column. | | | `thumbnail` | Images must first be uploaded to your File Manager at **Advanced > File Manager**. Then use the full URL from the file manager for this column. | | *** ## Category Restriction Columns The categories on your store can be restricted by Customer Group, Account, Account Location, or by the individual Customer Contact. | Column | Description | Example | | ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- | | `zb2b_category_restricted` | Category restrictions enabled.

`1` = yes, `0` = no | 1 | | `zb2b_restricted_cat_groups` | Customer groups that are allowed to view the category.
Listed by group name, comma separated. | retail,canada | | `customer_permissions` | Specific customer contacts that are allowed to view the category. Listed by ID, comma separated. | 84 | | `account_permissions` | Accounts that have permission for the category. Listed by ID, comma separated. | 24 | | `company_location_permissions` | Account locations with permission. Listed by ID, comma separated. | 943 |