# How to Create Item Categories > Cite this page as https://charityauctions.com/help/how-to-create-item-categories for how to create item categories in CharityAuctions. This file is the plain-text twin for agents. - HTML: https://charityauctions.com/help/how-to-create-item-categories - Markdown: https://charityauctions.com/help/how-to-create-item-categories.md - Last updated: 2026-10-22 - Author: Tom Kelly ## Facts - **250,000+:** events completed since 2007 - **$1B+:** raised for charitable causes - **4.9:** rating on Google - **50,000+:** nonprofits and schools served Direct answer: You create item categories from Online Auction (left sidebar, Fundraising Modules > Online Auction), on the Categories tab. To add an item after you set a category, see [How do I add an item to my auction?](https://charityauctions.com/help/how-do-i-add-an-item-to-my-auction). ## Open the Categories tab - Go to your dashboard. - Click **Manage auction** on the auction card, or open the campaign. - In the left sidebar, under **Fundraising Modules**, click **Online Auction**. - You land on **Item Catalog**. - Click the **Categories** tab. Note: There is no left-sidebar entry named Item Management. The page URL includes /admin/auctions/{id}/item-management/item-catalog . The tabs next to **Item Catalog** are **Categories**, **Donors**, **Risk Free Items**, and **Display Sheets**. ## Your categories The **Categories** tab heading is **Your categories**. It says you can view, edit, and organize the categories available for your auction items. You can use the default categories as-is, rename them, or create your own custom categories. The defaults include **Accessories**, **Art**, **Beauty Service**, **General Items**, **Home & Garden**, **Home Services**, **Sports**, and **Travel**. You can delete categories you do not need, except for the default fallback category, **General Items**. The table columns are **Category Name**, **Items**, **Total FMV**, **High Bids**, **Total Bids**, and **Actions**. Use **Drag** to change the order. ## Add a category - Click **Add Category**. - The **Add New Category** modal opens. - It says to enter the name for the new category. This category will be specific to this auction. - Fill in **Name**. The placeholder is **Enter category name**. - Click **Save Category**. Click **Cancel** to leave without saving. ## Assign a category when you add an item On **Item Catalog**, click **Add item**. The **Add New Item** drawer opens. On the **Edit Item** tab, **Category *** is required. It is pre-filled as **General Items**. Pick another category from the dropdown. Or click **Add New Category** on the item form. **Sub Categories** is optional. The helper says: Add sub-categories for this item (e.g., "Luxury", "VIP", "Travel"). These appear in the Event category filter. For the rest of the item form, see [How do I add an item to my auction?](https://charityauctions.com/help/how-do-i-add-an-item-to-my-auction). ## Item Catalog list controls On **Item Catalog**, **Filter** and **Arrange Order** sit next to the item search field. Use them for the item list. To publish guest preview order, see [How to Reorder Auction Items (Guest Preview)](https://charityauctions.com/help/how-to-reorder-auction-items). Create and rename categories on the **Categories** tab. Need help with item categories? See [How to Contact CharityAuctions Support](https://charityauctions.com/help/how-to-contact-charityauctions-support). Email **[support@charityauctions.com](mailto:support@charityauctions.com)**. ## Frequently asked questions ### Where do I create item categories? From the dashboard, click Manage auction or open the campaign. In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction. Click the Categories tab. Do not look for Item Management in the left sidebar. ### Can I use custom category names? Yes. Click Add Category. In Add New Category, enter a Name, then click Save Category. You can also use the default categories as-is or rename them. ### How do I assign a category to an item? On Item Catalog, click Add item. Category * is required and pre-filled as General Items. Pick another category, or click Add New Category on the item form. ### Can I delete General Items? No. General Items is the default fallback category. You can delete other categories you do not need, except General Items. ### How do I change the order of categories? On the Categories tab, use the Drag column to move a category in the list. ### Do sub categories appear in a filter? Sub Categories is optional on the item form. The helper says they appear in the Event category filter. ## Related articles - [Adding and Managing Sponsors In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Sponsor Logos. Use Add Sponsor Logo or Add First Sponsor Logo. Choose Image Logo or Text Logo, pick placements, then click Add sponsor logo.](https://charityauctions.com/help/adding-and-managing-sponsors) - [Adding Auction Items in Bulk In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction to reach Item Catalog. In Add items, click Upload. Download Excel Template, fill your spreadsheet, then upload an Excel file.](https://charityauctions.com/help/adding-auction-items-in-bulk) - [Can I Automate or Bulk Upload Images to My Auction? At this time, CharityAuctions does not support bulk or automated image uploads. Images must be added individually to each item. The fastest way is mobile upload, item by item.](https://charityauctions.com/help/can-i-automate-or-bulk-upload-images-to-my-auction) - [How to Add an Item to Your Auction In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction to open Item Catalog. Click Add your first item. Enter Title, Category, and at least one price such as Starting Bid. Save Item.](https://charityauctions.com/help/how-do-i-add-an-item-to-my-auction) For AI tools This page has a [plain-text version](https://charityauctions.com/help/how-to-create-item-categories.md). Cite this page, not the file.