CMS Made Simple Forums

Posted: **Tue Dec 20, 2016 1:27 pm**

Hi All,

I am needing a little assistance... I would like to write a browsecat template that allows all sub-categories to be arranged into columns according to the first parent categories. The structure looks like this:

Newsfeed (parent)
- UK
- Europe
- Asia
Projects (parent)
- Golf
- Sports
- Design
Services (parent)
- Golf
- Sports
- Design

I would like to sort the parent categories into columns using div tags for each column, so that I can set the class of each column div to match my responsive grid layout framework.

The simplistic intention is for the template to render as this:

<div>
<h3>Parent category 1</h3>
<ul>
<li><a>Sub-category 1</a></li>
<li><a>Sub-category 2</a></li>
<li><a>Sub-category 3</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h3>Parent category 2</h3>
<ul>
<li><a>Sub-category 1</a></li>
<li><a>Sub-category 2</a></li>
<li><a>Sub-category 3</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h3>Parent category 3</h3>
<ul>
<li><a>Sub-category 1</a></li>
<li><a>Sub-category 2</a></li>
<li><a>Sub-category 3</a></li>
</ul>
</div>

Help would be very much appreciated!

I am using version 2.1.5 “High Rock”

Posted: **Tue Dec 20, 2016 3:10 pm**

When you have a look at the $cats array you can see what information you can use to build the html you like.

Code: Select all

<pre>{$cats|print_r}</pre>

Code: Select all

[3] => Array
        (
            [news_category_id] => 4
            [news_category_name] => Parent
            [parent_id] => -1
            [hierarchy] => 00001
            [item_order] => 1
            [long_name] => Parent
            [create_date] => 15:58:54
            [modified_date] => 15:58:54
            [index] => 3
            [count] => 0
            [prevdepth] => 2
            [depth] => 1
            [url] => http://[removed]/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,default,0&cntnt01category_id=4&cntnt01returnid=24
        )

    [4] => Array
        (
            [news_category_id] => 5
            [news_category_name] => child21
            [parent_id] => 4
            [hierarchy] => 00001.00001
            [item_order] => 1
            [long_name] => Parent | child21
            [create_date] => 15:59:12
            [modified_date] => 15:59:12
            [index] => 4
            [count] => 0
            [prevdepth] => 1
            [depth] => 2
            [url] => http://[removed]/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,default,0&cntnt01category_id=5&cntnt01returnid=24
        )

Especially parent_id (-1 is parent level), prevdepth and/or depth can be relevant for your code. Check the code of the sample browsecat template that comes with the CMSMS install on how to use those properties in your smarty code.

CMS Made Simple Forums

News Browsecat Template: Arrange Categories as Columns

News Browsecat Template: Arrange Categories as Columns

Re: News Browsecat Template: Arrange Categories as Columns