When you start configuring the connector, you can import existing master data from your e-commerce platform, including product categories. Imported categories are automatically created as records in Odoo and can then be used during synchronization between Odoo and the connected e-commerce system.
Alternatively, you can use Odoo as the primary source of category data. In this scenario, categories are created and managed in Odoo and then exported to the e-commerce platform. If a category does not have any mappings with the external records, it will be created automatically during export.
Creating a Category
To create a new category in Odoo, use the E-Commerce Integration Categories menu and click New.
At a minimum, you must provide a Name for the category.
Creating Category Hierarchies
Most e-commerce platforms support hierarchical category structures. To create a hierarchy, assign a Parent Category when creating or editing a category.
For example:
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Create a category named Home.
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Create another category named Furniture and set Home as its parent.
The resulting category structure will be Home / Furniture
Odoo represents category levels using the / (slash) separator.
To create a third-level category:
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Create a category named Sofa.
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Set Home / Furniture as its parent category.
The resulting hierarchy will be Home / Furniture / Sofa
Exporting Categories
When a product with a new category is exported, the connector automatically creates any missing category levels in the external e-commerce platform.
For example, if the hierarchy Home / Furniture / Sofa exists in Odoo and the Sofa category is assigned to a product, the connector ensures that the corresponding category structure is available in the external system.
Assigning Categories to Products
Products can be assigned to one or more categories. For example, when the category Home / Furniture / Sofa is assigned to a product, the export process can assign all category levels:
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Home
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Furniture
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Sofa
This allows the product to be visible within each level of the category hierarchy in the external e-commerce platform.
Default Category
You can define a Default Category for a product by selecting one of the categories already assigned to that product. The default category is typically used as the primary category in the connected e-commerce platform.
What’s next?
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