Subcategories Grid/List for Magento

Add Subcategories Grid Or List To Any Magento Page With Just A Few Clicks!

Compatible with both Magento v2 and Magento v1!

(Two separate versions of the extension. One for Magento v2 and one for Magento v1.)

Apptrian Subcategories Grid/List Extension for Magento allows you to have subcategories in the form of a grid or list on category pages, the home page, or optionally any other page via XML layout updates or CMS markup tags. Additionally, there are more than several options for customization. The 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 the 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 by typing markup tags inside the CMS page content or CMS blocks.

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 are 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 sort direction ("Ascending" and "Descending").
• Ability to show subcategories heading or not and to type in the heading text.
• Ability to set the 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 the subcategory does not have an image (or thumbnail) placeholder image will be used.
• Ability to add image width and height HTML attributes.
• 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 the 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 the comma-separated list of category IDs.
• Ability to show random categories on the home page and/or any other page via the comma-separated list of category IDs.
• Ability to hide categories in subcategories block via the comma-separated list of category IDs.
• Ability to hide subcategories block on certain category pages via the comma-separated list of category IDs.
• Responsive Web Design (RWD) ready. It will recalculate itself based on the parent.

Installation Instructions (For Magento v2)

There are several ways you can install any Magento extension. Our extension is no different. We will show you three ways to install the extension, but you must not mix them. Choose one and stick to it.

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

Installation via file uploading
(If you purchased the extension on our site)

If you purchased the extension on our site then unpack .zip file from /Magento2/InstallByUploadingFiles/ directory inside your Magento root.
- Run following commands on Magento root directory:
php bin/magento maintenance:enable
php bin/magento module:enable --clear-static-content Apptrian_Subcategories
php bin/magento setup:upgrade
php bin/magento cache:flush
php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy
php bin/magento maintenance:disable
php bin/magento cache:flush

Installation via Composer
(If you purchased the extension on our site)

If you purchased the extension on our site then copy .zip file from /Magento2/InstallWithComposer/ directory inside your MAGENTO_ROOT/vendor/apptrian/packages/ directory (create directory if does not exist).
- Run following commands on Magento root directory:
php bin/magento maintenance:enable
composer config repositories.apptrianartifacts artifact $(pwd)/vendor/apptrian/packages
composer require apptrian/subcategories
php bin/magento module:enable --clear-static-content Apptrian_Subcategories
php bin/magento setup:upgrade
php bin/magento cache:flush
php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy
php bin/magento maintenance:disable
php bin/magento cache:flush

Installation via Composer
(If you purchased the extension on Magento Marketplace)

If you purchased the extension on Magento Marketplace then you must use Composer. Magento Marketplace does not allow extension downloads.
- Run following commands on Magento root directory:
php bin/magento maintenance:enable
composer require apptrian/subcategories
php bin/magento module:enable --clear-static-content Apptrian_Subcategories
php bin/magento setup:upgrade
php bin/magento cache:flush
php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy
php bin/magento maintenance:disable
php bin/magento cache:flush

Please make sure your Magento public and private keys are in your Magento root auth.json file. Usually, people install Magento with one Magento Marketplace account (public and private keys) and then purchase an extension with another Magento Marketplace account (different public and private keys). Check the Magento Marketplace account you used to purchase the extension and make sure its public and private keys are in the Magento root auth.json file. WARNING! if you already have keys there, be very careful because maybe some other extensions are purchased with another Magento Marketplace account.

Installation Instructions (For Magento v1)

- 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
- If you purchased an extension on our site use the "Direct package file upload" section and the "Upload package file". Browse to the .tgz file. Click the "Upload" button.
- If you purchased an extension on Magento Marketplace use the "Paste extension key to install" and paste Access Key you get from Magento Marketplace. Click the "Install" button. Click the "Proceed" 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 an extension or you wish a professional to do it for you, we offer an additional installation service for a small fee.

Configuration (For Magento v2)

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

Stores > Configuration > Apptrian Extensions > Subcategories Grid/List

There are more than several options for customization. They are all self-explanatory and have comments and tooltips.

After changing options make sure you refresh your Magento cache.

Configuration (For Magento v1)

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

There are more than several options for customization. They are all self-explanatory and have comments and tooltips.

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

Customization Instructions (For Magento v2)

If you want to style Subcategories Grid/List further, copy
./app/code/Apptrian/Subcategories/view/frontend/web/css/apptrian_subcategories.css
to
./app/design/frontend/YourVendor/your_theme/Apptrian_Subcategories/web/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.

Customization Instructions (For Magento v1)

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 (For Magento v2)

Q: How to add subcategories block inside CMS page content or CMS block?
A: To add subcategories block inside any CMS page content or CMS block use the following code:

{{block class="Apptrian\\Subcategories\\Block\\GridList" name="apptrian.subcategories.block" template="Apptrian_Subcategories::grid_list.phtml" encoded_options="[`layout`:`grid`, `single_link`:`0`]"}}

Attribute "encoded_options" can be used to override any option that exists in our extension. In the above example, only two options are shown. For more information, please check our User Guide.

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 the category image I still get a placeholder image?
A: The category model in Magento 2 has only one attribute for the image "Category Image". Our extension adds a "Category Thumbnail" attribute for thumbnail images (since extension version 2.5.0). In the extension config for the option "For Image Use", you need to select "Image" or "Thumbnail" depending on which one you want to use for Subcategories Grid/List.

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

Q: How to remove category image from category page?
A: Override file app/code/Apptrian/Subcategories/layout/catalog_category_view.xml into your theme app/design/frontend/VENDOR/THEME/Apptrian_Subcategories/layout/catalog_category_view.xml. Before closing body tag (should be line 25) add the following:

<referenceBlock name="category.image" remove="true"/>

FAQ (For Magento v1)

Q: How to add subcategories block inside CMS page content or CMS block?
A: To add subcategories block inside any CMS page content or CMS block use the following code:

{{block type="apptrian_subcategories/gridlist" name="apptrian.subcategories.cms" template="apptrian/subcategories/grid_list.phtml" encoded_options="[`layout`:`grid`, `single_link`:`0`]"}}

Attribute "encoded_options" can be used to override any option that exists in our extension. In the above example, only two options are shown. For more information, please check our User Guide.

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 the category image/thumbnail I still get a placeholder image?
A: The category model in Magento has two attributes for images, the 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 the category image/thumbnail for a specific language (store view) I still get a placeholder image?
A: You must upload an image/thumbnail to the default scope (All Store Views) First and then if you need an image/thumbnail to be different for a specific language (store view) you upload a different image for that particular language (store view).