Creating an item under category

[CrazyHill_GNB]

So first, my business is seasonal so it has been a couple of months since I've been up and running and entering inventory. 

Second, I realize that updates happen and they aren't all about my comfort and convenience, or even understanding for that matter. 

Historically, when you select a category from your category list then hit "Create Item" in the upper right hand side it pops up the window to enter in new item information. Outside of the tab key not being able to skip the description box 😠 it would appear that it no longer auto populates the category with the one you had previously selected from the drop down menu on the left hand side of the previous screen. You have to manually click select category and wait for the next window to pop up and search for your category, select it and then it populates. 

My business deals in a lot of unique plant material and each one requires its own item. I guess I'm half complaining that I now have 4 extra steps to do what use to auto-populate because I had already selected the category I was working in. I am also half hoping that someone else has noticed this and figured out a work around. It is a little thing but when I am entering in a couple hundred items, more than half of which are new, it adds up. 

Meh.

[frances_a]

Hello @CrazyHill_GNB 

I'm sorry to hear things have become more complicated. 

I tried a couple of things with my account and just want to make sure we are on the same page (quite literally) before we move on to contacting our direct support team. 

I'm not sure if I'm following the exact same steps as you, because I can't seem to recreate your experience. 

I'm using Google Chrome as my browser on a desktop computer, but if you are using one of our apps on a mobile device, please let me know which app and device. 

I went to my Item library from my dashboard, then selected Categories on the left menu and I don't see any option to create an item from there. 

Then I checked the Square Online overview page. Went to Site Items > Site Categories and I still don't see the option to create an item from that screen. 

Also, I hear you on the tab key, as I usually never enter a lengthy description for my items, but that was designed that way to allow customers with lengthy descriptions to indent the first line of a paragraph, or create spacing within their description. 

Let me know what we're doing differently or, if you find that we are following the same steps and your experience is different, check out this Dashboard troubleshooting steps.

Thank you!

[CrazyHill_GNB]

Frances

Thank you for taking the time to look into my issue. Here are a couple of screen shots to help visualize what I am talking about. I run a Mac desktop and have been using Square as my POS, successfully, for almost 4 years now.

Dashboard > items & orders > items > category (drop down icon) > select category > apply > Creat an item (giant blue icon right hand side/top)

This opens the data entry portal for a new item. Give it a name, curse that you can't tab through the description box and then below locations and taxes you see "Categorization" here you have to manually select the category you want to assign the item you are creating.......from the previously selected category. 

When I took in my Christmas items before closing for the season (2023) I would "Create and item" this way and the previously selected category would be auto-populated there....because I already selected and was working under that category. Now, even though I have selected (from a very awkward pop up) the category I want to work in I still have to manually tell it which category I want the new item to be assigned to. 

I can't rationalize the change, like how does it make life any more convenient for anyone. I'm just hoping to get that back because after entering in as many items as I can and do at any given time, those extra 4 steps really add up to physical time and unnecessary wear and tear on me and my mouse LOL 

 

 

[Candlestore]

@CrazyHill_GNB ;

Did you ever think of Exporting your Item Catalog and using a Spreedsheet like Excel or Google Sheets to enter your Inventory.  You can Tab to the next cell.  You can Skip cells of say Category till your Done with all Items of that Category, and then Copy Fill or Paste that column with that Category.    I have been adding my items this way as it is easier to setup excel to auto fill my data then typing it in.  Square even has a Blank Import Template now.  I do suggest making 1 item that has the most information in it and export that Item as a Template.   Create a Category called Template and export only Category Template.....then add all items to the Template category as templates of different items if needed.  Like if you have Item that is a Service, or an Item you want to have different Variations or If you use Options to create Variations...etc.

I just know using the spreedsheets is easier than the Web based way to add items.   Juts when creating a new Item in the Spreed sheet template you leave these 2 columns blank. 

Reference Handle

Token

These are the 1st two columns in the Excel version and you only have a Token Value I believe in the CSV version.  You only need the Excel version if you have Unit and Precision and Component Inventory..... Units a Preceision is if you sell items by different measures than 1 item.  Say like if you sell by weight.   Component Inventory is when you have Item X and want to track inventory for X but sell it as 1 unit, or in packs of 12, or a case of 144.  This is how I sell Tapers.

[frances_a]

The screenshots were super helpful! 

I was on a different screen.

I personally never used the Create an Item button after having filtered by Category before, but I do see what you are describing. 

Since the filter allows you to select multiple categories at once, I wonder if, before, it would add the item to all selected categories and if that had anything to do with the changes 🧐

I'll have to reach out to our team to get some insight on this, but I'll be back once I hear from them. 

@Candelstore's suggestion of importing your library instead of adding items one by one in Square is brilliant! 

I don't have many items to manage and haven't played with the templates much, but they are super helpful when making significant changes to your library or stock. 

Thank you!

[Candlestore]

@frances_a ;

I never saw the Filter on the Item screen for Exports before either, think its something new.  Also the Export is new too for the multiple choices before you could only export your entire catalog as a CSV or Excel file.  

[CrazyHill_GNB]

Keith, 

Thank you for the detailed response. I won't lie, most of that went over my head...I'll have to look for some tutorial videos somewhere. I guess for the moment I just tuck my shirt in and get used to the 4 extra steps.