How do I merge categories in a forum (version 3.3.0)?

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saavannah
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How do I merge categories in a forum (version 3.3.0)?

Post by saavannah »

I'm trying to clean up one of my forums by combining some of the categories. I'm using version 3.3.0.

I've searched online for how to merge categories, but most results are about merging entire forums. I just want to combine a few categories within my forum.

Can you point me in the right direction? Any tips or documentation would be helpful.

Thanks!
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KevC
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Re: How do I merge categories in a forum (version 3.3.0)?

Post by KevC »

Do you mean moving a forum from one category to another?
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warmweer
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Re: How do I merge categories in a forum (version 3.3.0)?

Post by warmweer »

saavannah wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:18 pm I'm trying to clean up one of my forums by combining some of the categories. I'm using version 3.3.0.

I've searched online for how to merge categories, but most results are about merging entire forums. I just want to combine a few categories within my forum.
There seems to be some inconsistency in the terminology you're using.
Categories are (top-level) forums that contain forums, which in turn can contain subforums (and those can contain subsubforums)

Merging categories boils down to moving all forums from one category (B) to another (already existing) category (A). So you'll end up with a category A containing all forums of the previous categories A and B , and a category B which is empty

"but most results are about merging entire forums" sounds line merging 2 boards (the word forum is unfortunately also used in the sense of board)

Assuming you want to merge the contents of 2 categories into 1 category ... it's relatively simple by changing the parent of the forums in the second category to the first category to be moved

If you're referring to merging boards (not forums), that's a lot more complicated.
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saavannah
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Re: How do I merge categories in a forum (version 3.3.0)?

Post by saavannah »

warmweer wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 7:00 pm Assuming you want to merge the contents of 2 categories into 1 category
Yes.
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warmweer
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Re: How do I merge categories in a forum (version 3.3.0)?

Post by warmweer »

saavannah wrote: Sun Jan 19, 2025 10:05 am
warmweer wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 7:00 pm Assuming you want to merge the contents of 2 categories into 1 category
Yes.
ACP - tab GENERAL - Quick Access - manage forums
You have at least 2 Categories over there, let's call them C1 and C2 and you want the forums from C2 to be transferred to C1 (after which C2 can be deleted - assuming it's then empty)
So Open C2 and you'll see al the forums that have C2 as parent.
Now, for each forum change the parent forum to C1
then delete C2
done
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thecoalman
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Re: How do I merge categories in a forum (version 3.3.0)?

Post by thecoalman »

To be clear categories have no posts. They just contain sub forums. The listed topics here are from the sub forums.

viewforum.php?f=52

You can just delete the category and you'll be prompted to delete or move the sub forums to another category or forum.

You can also delete a forum with posts and you'll get prompt to delete the topics/posts or move them to another forum. A word or warning about moving a lot of posts/topics using this method, it requires a lot of SQL so make sure you have backup before performing this operation.
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saavannah
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Re: How do I merge categories in a forum (version 3.3.0)?

Post by saavannah »

thecoalman wrote: Sun Jan 19, 2025 11:04 am You can also delete a forum with posts and you'll get prompt to delete the topics/posts or move them to another forum.
Awesome, it's working! Thanks a lot.
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