Easier way to add/sort categories?

[X-Fan]

Hi all,

Just wondering if there's an easier/quicker way to add new and sort existing categories.

For someone on a dial-up connection like me, when there's a lot of categories it's painfully slow to add a new one or change the sort order of an existing one.

What would be easier is if there was a way to add multiple categories at once.

Also, a way to give a category an index number, and have 4images list the categories in numerical order.  Or, have it list categories alphabetically by default (as it does the images).  This would save the hassle of having to click the move arrows and wait ages for the list of categories to reload, only to have to click the move arrows several more times to get a category in its correct alphabetical order!

Is that possible to do?

[Jan]

If you have updated to 1.7 you can try this:

Change in "admin/categories.php"

Code: [Select]

//show_custom_row($lang['cat_order'], get_cat_order_dropdown($cat_parent_id));to

Code: [Select]

show_custom_row($lang['cat_order'], get_cat_order_dropdown($cat_parent_id));

If you add now new categories you will see a new row where you can select on which position the new category should be inserted.

Greets Jan

[X-Fan]

Okay it works up to the point where if you change the contents of the Subcategory under dropdown box, it doesn't refresh to show the other sub-categories under the new chosen category.

Also, is it possible to do something similar for existing directories and sub-directories to be able to change their sort order?

[Jan]

Okay it works up to the point where if you change the contents of the Subcategory under dropdown box, it doesn't refresh to show the other sub-categories under the new chosen category.

You're right. That's the reason why i have not added this as official feature. I implemented this shortly before the release just for you
I don't have a solution right now. Maybe you have any suggestions.

Code: [Select]

Also, is it possible to do something similar for existing directories and sub-directories to be able to change their sort order?
If i have a solution for the problem above, we can do this also for the edit screen of the categories.

Greets Jan

[X-Fan]

You're right. That's the reason why i have not added this as official feature. I implemented this shortly before the release just for you

Thanks!

I don't have a solution right now. Maybe you have any suggestions.

I honestly don't know enough about the code behind the system to offer anything useful.

If i have a solution for the problem above, we can do this also for the edit screen of the categories.

Well then, have we got any takers?!

[Alan @ ArtScans]

Well then, have we got any takers?!

I don't fully understand the question, but if you are just looking for a way to change the category order without having 4images refresh the screen each time, then put a textbox next to each category, where the admin can enter the a sort order number.  Once each category has a number next to it, then click on a "Sort Categories" button.

Eg...

[1]  A Category
[4]  Another Category
[3]  And another
[2]  The second category
[/list:u]
When the admin clicks the "Sort Categories" button, the categories would become sorted as follows...

[1]  A Category
[2]  The second category
[3]  And another
[4]  Another Category
[/list:u]

That way, the list would only be refreshed once making it a lot quicker for dialup connections.

Alan.
QCS Software.

[X-Fan]

That way, the list would only be refreshed once making it a lot quicker for dialup connections.

A great idea, Alan!

Jan, is this do-able?

[Jan]

Test this first:
Download: categories_catorder.zip
Just replace "admin/categories.php" with the file in the zip.

Greets Jan

[X-Fan]

Just replace "admin/categories.php" with the file in the zip.

Okay, editing a sub-category gives the dropdown list which allows ease of movement to a different position under its parent category, and when adding a new category selecting a different parent category automatically refreshes the Category Order list!

Great work Jan, thanks!

Now, one other thing to ask of you, if I may, and that is would it be possible to have the system show a drop-down list of categories when you click the Edit Categories option, rather than have it reload the list of categories each time you edit one?  On a dial-up connection and with lots of categories and sub-categories, it's painfully slow to load.

[Jan]

Download the file again and try it...

Greets Jan

[X-Fan]

Download the file again and try it...

I'm still getting the full list loading up...

[Jan]

Yes, the first time. But if you click an edit link, you will have a dropdown on the top of the page.

Jan

[X-Fan]

Yes, the first time. But if you click an edit link, you will have a dropdown on the top of the page.

Ah, okay.  But is there any way to stop it loading the entire category list the first time?  Also, after you edit a category, it still loads the entire category list up even though the drop-down box is now at the top.

Is there any way to not have it load the entire list of categories?  It's just far too slow and cumbersome for me with a crappy dial-up connection, and I need to be able to add/edit/move categories quickly and with no fuss.

Thanks for all your help, Jan!

[Jan]

Sorry, that is all i can do. Otherwise i have rewrite the whole script.

Greets Jan

[X-Fan]

No problem Jan, and thanks again!