Troubleshooting: Adding Categories to Webflow CMS Template Page
Are you a Webflow user trying to add categories to your CMS template page and facing some difficulties? You're not alone! This is a common issue that many users encounter when working with Webflow's CMS system. But don't worry, we have a few troubleshooting tips that will help you get your categories set up and running smoothly.
The Problem: Adding Categories to Your CMS Template Page
As a Webflow user, you may have found that while trying to insert categories to your CMS template page, you're unable to access the categories collection. It may not show in the dropdown list when you use the “get text from” feature. This issue was highlighted by Webflow user Anne in a Webflow forum post. She was trying to use the CMS feature to build a portfolio template page and while she could insert the name and other content of her main collection into the template page, the categories collection was simply not accessible.
The Solution: Working With Reference Fields
Shaun Green, another Webflow user provided some insight into this issue. According to him, this problem occurs when you're using a ‘multi-reference’ field in your project setting instead of a single ‘reference’ field to create your category. This leads to the dropdown category selector not being available in the dynamic text selection under the settings panel.
So, how can you fix this? By adding the dropdown category selector to your project, you will be able to select it from dynamic text selection under the settings panel. This might sound a bit complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes quite intuitive.
However, what if your projects can be in more than one category? As Anne mentioned, the video tutorial suggested using the multi-reference field for this case. Unfortunately, as Shaun pointed out, Webflow’s multi-reference field may not have the required functionality yet.
A suggested workaround for this is to use several single reference fields for all of your categories. While this may not be the most elegant solution, it's a practical one that should keep your project moving forward.
In conclusion, when dealing with categories in Webflow's CMS, consider the type of reference field you're using. If you're having trouble accessing your categories, switching from multi-reference to single reference fields may be the solution you need.
Pro Tip: Leverage the Power of Multi-Level Dropdowns
As a Webflow power user, you're likely always on the lookout for advanced tips to streamline your process. Here's one you may not have considered: using multi-level dropdowns in your navigation to visually represent your categories hierarchy.
Here's how it works. Let's say you're running a blog that covers a variety of topics, and each of those topics has sub-topics. You can create a multi-level dropdown navigation menu that reflects this structure. For example, "Marketing" could be a top-level category, with "SEO," "Content Marketing," and "Social Media" as sub-categories.
What's surprising about this approach is that it's not just about aesthetics or user experience. A well-structured navigation menu can actually improve your site's SEO. Search engines prefer sites with clear, organized hierarchies, as it helps them understand the content of your site better.
To create a multi-level dropdown in Webflow, first add a Dropdown element to your Navbar. Then, add another Dropdown inside the first one. You can then use Webflow's Designer to customize the look and feel of your dropdowns to match your brand. For more detailed instructions, check out the Webflow University tutorial on creating dropdown menus.
Remember, the goal here is to make your site as user-friendly and SEO-friendly as possible. So, don't go overboard with too many levels in your dropdowns. Keep it simple and intuitive, and your users (and search engines) will thank you.
