:::info ಅನುವಾದ ಟಿಪ್ಪಣಿ ಈ ಡಾಕ್ಯುಮೆಂಟ್ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೆ. ಶೀಘ್ರದಲ್ಲೇ ಕನ್ನಡಕ್ಕೆ ಅನುವಾದಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು. :::
➕ Create Product Category
Product Categories organize your products into groups with shared tax rates, HSN/SAC codes, and units. Create categories before adding products so every new product inherits the correct defaults automatically.
Steps to Create a Category
Step 1: Open the Product Categories section
- Go to Products from the main menu
- Scroll down below the products table to the Product Categories section
- Click + Add New Product Category
The form opens with a blue Add New Product Category header.
Step 2: Fill in the form
See the full field reference below.
Step 3: Save
Click Save Category. The new category appears immediately in the Product Categories list with an auto-generated Category Code.
📝 Form Fields
Category Name (required)
The display name for the category — shown in product dropdowns, the product list, and reports.
- Minimum: 3 characters
- Maximum: 300 characters
Good examples:
Software & ServicesElectronicsOffice SuppliesIT Consulting
Avoid:
Misc,Cat 1,Test— not meaningful to your team
Description
An optional internal note describing what belongs in this category.
- Up to 1000 characters
- Not shown on invoices — for internal reference only
Example: Software licenses and professional services
Unit (required)
The default unit of measure pre-selected for all products in this category. Can be overridden on individual products.
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| NOS | Numbers |
| PCS | Pieces |
| HRS | Hours |
| KGS | Kilograms |
| MTR | Metres |
| LTR | Litres |
| BOX | Box |
| SET | Set |
Choose the unit that best fits most products in this category (e.g., HRS for services billed by the hour, NOS for hardware).
HSN Code
The shared HSN or SAC classification code for all products in this category. Products inherit this code by default (overridable per product).
- Format: exactly 4, 6, or 8 digits — no leading zeros, no spaces
- Click Auto-populate HSN Code to search and select the correct code automatically
Common codes:
| Category Type | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IT Consulting | 998314 | IT consulting services (SAC) |
| Software Dev | 998315 | Software design & development (SAC) |
| Tech Support | 998316 | Technical support services (SAC) |
| Computers | 8471 | Automatic data processing machines (HSN) |
| Electronics | 8517 | Telephone/communication apparatus (HSN) |
| Office Supplies | 4802 | Paper and paperboard (HSN) |
Use the Auto-populate HSN Code button next to the field to look up the correct code instead of entering it manually.
Default Tax Rate (%) (required)
The GST percentage applied to all products in this category that have Use Group Tax Rate enabled.
| Rate | Common Use |
|---|---|
18 | Most IT services, electronics |
12 | Certain business services |
5 | Specific goods/services |
0 | Exports, exempted categories |
Set this correctly before importing products in bulk — all imported products inherit this rate automatically.
🔘 Action Buttons
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Save Category | Saves the new category and returns to the Product Categories list |
| Cancel | Discards all changes and returns to the Product Categories list |
✏️ Editing an Existing Category
When editing a category, the form shows one additional read-only field at the top:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Category Code | System-generated unique identifier (format: GRxxxxByyy) — auto-assigned, not editable |
All other fields (Category Name, Description, Unit, HSN Code, Default Tax Rate) are editable. Click Save Category to apply changes.
:::warning Tax Rate Cascade Changing the Default Tax Rate on a category immediately updates the effective tax on all products in that category with Use Group Tax Rate enabled. New invoices pick up the new rate; existing finalized invoices are unaffected. :::
⚠️ Validation Errors
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Category Name required | Name field is empty | Enter a name of at least 3 characters |
| Category Name too short | Name under 3 characters | Use at least 3 characters |
| Unit required | No unit selected | Pick a unit from the dropdown |
| Invalid HSN Code | Not 4, 6, or 8 digits; or all zeros | Check the code or use Auto-populate |
| Tax Rate required | Default Tax Rate is empty | Enter 0 or a positive percentage |
🔗 Related
- Product Categories — view, edit, and delete categories
- Create a Product — add a product and assign it to a category
- Products Overview — full catalog features