# Category tree for custom format

**URL:** <https://forum.mergado.com/t/category-tree-for-custom-format/932>\
**Category:** Custom Format\
**Tags:** custom-format, category-tree\
**Created:** [February 7, 2024, 1:16pm UTC](https://forum.mergado.com/t/category-tree-for-custom-format/932 "2024-02-07T13:16:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![veronika\_kusalikova](https://forum.mergado.com/user_avatar/forum.mergado.com/veronika_kusalikova/32/430_2.png) [@veronika\_kusalikova](https://forum.mergado.com/u/veronika_kusalikova)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 1:16pm UTC](https://forum.mergado.com/t/category-tree-for-custom-format/932/1 "2024-02-07T13:16:35Z")

</div>

In this post you will learn:

- [What is a category tree and custom format?](https://forum.mergado.com/t/category-tree-for-custom-format/932#what-is-a-category-tree-and-custom-format-1)
- [How to link a custom tree for a custom format?](https://forum.mergado.com/t/category-tree-for-custom-format/932#how-to-link-a-custom-tree-for-a-custom-format-4)
- [Summary](https://forum.mergado.com/t/category-tree-for-custom-format/932#summary-5)

In Mergado, you can set up complex formats and connections to various vendor or other applications. But keep in mind that the vast majority of custom solutions do not have a specific structure. Using [custom format](https://forum.mergado.com/t/custom-format/508) allows you to load any data in any format into the Editor. **Now you can add a specific category tree to the custom format.**

# What is a category tree and custom format?

## Category tree

This is a list of categories that organize and hierarchically **arrange the products** offered on a given online store. It’s a kind of tree where each category can have subcategories and these subcategories can have other subcategories and so on. The categories and subcategories of the tree create a **hierarchy**.

In Mergado, you’ll encounter the category tree in the [Bulk Rename Categories](https://forum.mergado.com/t/rename-categories-in-bulk/489) rule. If any of the [integrations](https://www.mergado.com/supported-channels) have a category tree set up, its **values will be whispered to you in the right column**.

 ![image](https://forum.mergado.com/uploads/default/original/2X/f/f30bc249dcfc6ab7b3daeaaf26becacc30306a82.png)

## Custom format

The [Custom Format](https://forum.mergado.com/t/custom-format/508) allows you to **load data** into Mergado **according to your desired structure**. It is useful for cases where the supplier or data processor (for example, another application) has specific requirements.

In Mergado you will encounter the custom format **when creating a new project**. Or **directly in the menu** - Custom formats.

### How to link a custom tree for a custom format?

 ![image](https://forum.mergado.com/uploads/default/original/2X/a/a00e8452eb89b457717b92160753dd204dc0946d.png)

In the _Custom Format Settings_ section, you will find the option to specify a custom category tree. The section can be found either when creating a new project - Define Custom Format, or in the left menu via Custom Format.

In the free field **enter the URL** where the category tree is stored. The tree is downloaded upon request. That is, for example, when Mergado shows you a whisper. We store the information, so your server will not be overwhelmed with download requests.

The file should be **in UTF-8** encoding and should contain a text list of categories, each on its own line.

For example.  
Auto-moto  
Auto-moto | Snow chains  
Auto-moto | Car accessories  
Auto-moto | Car Accessories | Car LCD  
Auto-moto | Car Accessories | Car Alarms  
Auto-moto | Car Accessories | Trunk Vans

> ℹ We can get the category tree if you have it in Google Sheets, for example.  
> Sharing needs to be set as csv via this option:
> 
> ![image](https://forum.mergado.com/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d94fbf9caccacb6e76ae8e1d3d6690348fdb6bcd.png)

# Summary

- **When will a custom category tree with a custom format come in handy?**  
You can use it if you have specific requirements for data processing and data preparation, for example for your own online store solution.
- **Where do I set up a custom category tree?**  
In the custom format settings (in the left menu Custom formats or when creating a new project).
- **Where can I work with the category tree?**  
In the Rename Categories in bulk rule or when editing a manual element value for a category.