Subcategories Grid/List

M1

Apptrian Subcategories Grid / List Extension for Magento allows you to have subcategories in the form of a grid or list on category pages, home page or optionally any other page via xml layout updates or CMS markup tags. Additionally, there are more than several options for customization. Subcategories block is Responsive Web Design (RWD) ready. It will recalculate itself based on the parent.

On category pages, the extension will show children categories of current category. On CMS pages, the extension will show top level categories or any other categories you want. This is done by using the "Category IDs" option in our extension where you type a comma-separated list of category IDs you want to show. You can also show subcategories on CMS pages by typing markup tags inside the CMS page content.

Features

- Two positions of subcategories block out of the box from Magento config. Any position is possible via xml layout updates or CMS markup tags on any page.
- Ability to show subcategories on multiple locations on the page.
- Two layouts available (Grid or List).
- Ability to show subcategories grid/list items as single links.
- Ability to sort subcategories by "Name", "Page Title", "Position", and "Created Date".
- Ability to choose sorting direction ("Ascending" and "Descending").
- Ability to show subcategories heading or not and to type in the heading text.
- Ability to set order of subcategory data (0=image, 1=name, 2=description) and to exclude some data if desired. Example: 0,1,2
- Ability to show category image, and which image (attribute) to use. Options are "Image", and "Thumbnail".
- If subcategory does not have an image (or thumbnail) placeholder image will be used.
- Ability to show category name, and which database field (attribute) to use. Options are "Name" and "Page Title".
- Ability to show category description, and which database field (attribute) to use. Options are "Description" and "Meta Description".
- Ability to show subcategories on any page.
- Two completely independent sets of settings one for category pages and one for the home page from Magento config with unlimited number of settings sets via xml block arguments and/or CMS markup tags attributes.
- Ability to show specific categories on the home page and/or any other page via comma separated list of category IDs.
- Ability to show random categories on the home page and/or any other page via comma separated list of category IDs.
- Ability to hide subcategories on certain category pages via comma separated list of category IDs.
- RWD ready. It will recalculate itself based on the parent.

User Guide

-Installation Instructions

- Log in to Magento Admin
- (Optional) Disable Magento Compiler if you are using it (System > Tools > Compilation)
- Go to System > Magento Connect > Magento Connect Manager
- Use "Direct package file upload" section and "Upload package file"
- Browse to the .tgz file
- Click "Upload" button
- Go back to Magento Admin
- Flush Magento Cache (System > Cache Management), then log out from Magento Admin and log back in
- (Optional) Enable Magento Compiler by clicking "Run Compilation Process" button (System > Tools > Compilation)

If you do not know how to install extension or you wish a professional to do it for you, we offer additional Installation service for a small fee.

(If you purchase Installation Service please contact us via contact form on our site and state your full name and order ID)

- Configuration

Our extension works out of the box. If you want to configure it differently log to your Magento Admin and go to:

System > Configuration > Apptrian Extensions > Subcategories Grid/List

All options are self-explanatory and have tooltips for additional information.

After changing options make sure you refresh your Magento cache.

In newer versions of Magento you need to enable "apptrian_subcategories/gridlist" block:

System > Permissions > Blocks

- For Developers

To add subcategories, block inside any CMS page content use following code:

{{block type="apptrian_subcategories/gridlist" name="apptrian.subcategories.cms" template="apptrian/subcategories/grid_list.phtml" encoded_options="[`category_ids`:`20,3,5`,`mode`:`specific`]"}}

Attribute "encoded_options" can be used to override any option that exist in our extension. For more information please check our ForDevelopers.pdf document.

- Customization Instructions

If you want to style Subcategories Grid/List further, copy
./skin/frontend/base/default/css/apptrian_subcategories.css
to
./skin/frontend/your_design_package/your_theme/css/apptrian_subcategories.css
and add your CSS styles.

Read comments in the CSS file and you will be able to make most of the changes in a very succinct way.

If you do not know how to style with CSS or you wish a professional to do it for you, we offer additional CSS Custom Style service for a small fee.

FAQ

Q: Is it possible to turn off subcategories description text?
A: Yes it is. In our extension configuration for option "Sort Order" instead of "0,1,2" type "0,1" (without double quotes). Do not forget to Refresh your Magento Cache.

Q: Why after uploading category image/thumbnail I still get placeholder image?
A: Category model in Magento has two attributes for images, first one is "Image" and the second one is "Thumbnail". Our extension is compatible with both, but you have to select the one you want to use with our extension. Just set "Show Category Image" option in our extension configuration to the attribute you want to use ("Image" or "Thumbnail"). Be aware, since Magento version 1.9.1.0 "Thumbnail" attribute is not present by default. You have to add it yourself. If you do not know how to do this contact us and we will do it for you for a small fee.

Q: Why after uploading category image/thumbnail for a specific language (store view) I still get placeholder image?
A: You must upload image/thumbnail to the default scope (All Store Views) First and then if you need image/thumbnail to be different for a specific language (store view) you upload different image for that particular language (store view).