Categories

Overview #

The Categories module allows users to manage the list of categories used in the system. Categories are essential for organizing and classifying items such as products, expenses, tasks, or other entities throughout the application.

This module supports bilingual naming (English and Thai), making it ideal for multilingual environments. It provides a simple and efficient way to view, add, edit, and delete categories while ensuring data integrity.

Table of Contents #

• Overview
• Getting Started
• Interface Layout
• Categories Table
• Key Features and How to Use Them
• Tips and Best Practices
• Troubleshooting

Getting Started #

Accessing the Categories Module #

1. From the main menu or dashboard, locate and click the Categories / หมวดหมู่ option.
2. The Categories window will open in the center of the screen and automatically load all existing categories.

Interface Layout #

The Categories screen features a clean and straightforward design:

• Window Title: Categories / หมวดหมู่
• Main Area: A large table displaying all categories.
• Top-Right Buttons:
  • Save / บันทึก – Saves any changes or new entries (enabled only when changes are pending).
  • Close / ปิด – Closes the window.
• Bottom of Table: Displays the total count of categories.

Categories Table #

The table shows all categories in rows, with the following columns:

Column	Description	Notes
Id / รหัส	Unique system-generated number	Hidden from view
Description	Category name in English	Required for new/edited entries
คำอธิบาย	Category name in Thai	Supports full Thai characters

• A special blank row at the bottom allows quick addition of new categories.
• The table automatically adjusts column widths for better readability.

Key Features and How to Use Them #

1. View Categories #

• All categories load automatically when the window opens.
• Scroll through the table to browse existing entries.
• The footer shows the total number of categories.

2. Add a New Category #

1. Click the blank row at the bottom of the table (labeled “Click here to add a new row / คลิกที่นี่เพื่อเพิ่มแถวใหม่”).
2. Type the English name in the Description column.
3. Type the Thai name in the คำอธิบาย column.
4. The Save / บันทึก button will become active.
5. Click Save / บันทึก to permanently add the category.
   • A unique ID will be assigned automatically.

3. Edit an Existing Category #

1. Click directly into the cell you want to change (English or Thai name).
2. Type the new text.
3. The Save / บันทึก button will become active.
4. Click Save / บันทึก to update the category.

4. Delete a Category #

1. Right-click on any cell in the row of the category you wish to remove.
2. Select Delete from the popup menu.
3. Confirm the action when prompted: “Are you sure you want to delete this category?”
4. Click Yes to delete, or No to cancel.
   • Note: Deletion may fail if the category is currently used elsewhere in the system (e.g., linked to products or records).

Tips and Best Practices #

• Always click Save / บันทึก after making changes – edits are not saved automatically.
• Use clear and consistent naming conventions for both English and Thai descriptions to avoid confusion.
• Add new categories directly in the table for faster workflow instead of using separate forms.
• If planning to delete a category, first check if it is referenced in other parts of the system to avoid errors.

Troubleshooting #

• Save button remains inactive: Ensure you have actually modified or added data in the table.
• Error when saving: Check for empty required fields or duplicate entries. A message will explain the issue.
• Error when deleting: The category is likely in use elsewhere. Remove references first or contact your system administrator.
• Thai text displays incorrectly: Verify your system language settings and database support UTF-8 encoding.