> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tetherdata.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Product Hierarchy > Organizing products with multi-level categorization # Product Hierarchy Product hierarchy provides a field-based categorization system for organizing your products for reporting, filtering, and analysis. Unlike dimensions (which vary within a product), hierarchy defines how products are categorized. ## What is Product Hierarchy? Product hierarchy uses up to 5 independent classification fields to categorize your products. Each field can be activated with a custom label and populated with values. Common uses include: * **Reporting** — Aggregate data at different categorization levels * **Filtering** — Find products by category on the SKU dashboard * **Organization** — Logical grouping of products * **Analysis** — Compare performance across categories ### Example Fields | Field | Custom Label | Example Values | | ------- | ------------ | ------------------------------ | | Field 1 | Category | Apparel, Accessories, Footwear | | Field 2 | Sub-Category | Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear | | Field 3 | Product Line | T-Shirts, Dress Shirts, Polos | | Field 4 | Brand | Premium, Standard, Basics | | Field 5 | Season | Spring 2026, Summer 2026 | ## Hierarchy vs. Collections vs. Dimensions Understanding when to use each: | Feature | Purpose | Example | | --------------- | ------------------------------------- | ---------------------- | | **Hierarchy** | Categorization for reporting | Category, Sub-Category | | **Collections** | Group products with shared dimensions | "T-Shirts" collection | | **Dimensions** | Product variants | Size, Color | Hierarchy fields are independent of each other. Each field has its own set of values, and a product can be assigned a value for any combination of active fields. ## The Hierarchy Dashboard Navigate to **SKUs** → **Product Hierarchy** to access the hierarchy dashboard. ### Dashboard Overview The dashboard displays: | Feature | Description | | -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | | **Active Fields** | Count of currently activated fields out of 5 total | | **Total Values** | Combined count of values across all active fields | | **Hierarchy Fields Table** | All 5 fields with their status, label, values, and actions | ### Field Table Columns Each row in the hierarchy fields table shows: * **Field #** — Field number (1–5) * **Status** — Active or Inactive badge * **Custom Label** — The label you've assigned (e.g., "Category") * **Values** — All values for the field shown as badges, with a **+** button to add more * **Actions** — Dropdown menu with field management options ## Configuring Hierarchy Fields Tether supports up to 5 hierarchy fields. Each field starts as inactive and must be activated with a custom label before you can add values. ### Activating a Field Click the **⋯** menu on an inactive field row Select **Activate Field** from the dropdown Provide a label for the field (e.g., "Category", "Sub-Category", "Brand"). Example placeholders shown: Category, Sub-Category, Brand. Click **Activate Field** to save ### Editing a Field Label For active fields, click **⋯** → **Edit Label** to change the custom label. ### Deactivating a Field Click **⋯** → **Deactivate** on an active field to deactivate it. Deactivated fields retain their configuration but are no longer shown in filters or assignment options. ### Managing Field Values Click **⋯** → **Manage Values** on an active field, or click the **+** button in the Values column Click **Add Value**, enter a value name, and click **Add Value** to confirm. Values are simple text labels (e.g., "Apparel", "Tops", "T-Shirts"). Click directly on a value name in the table to edit it inline. Edited values show a blue "(edited)" indicator. Click the trash icon to mark a value for deletion. Deleted values show with strikethrough text and can be restored before saving. Click **Save Changes** to apply all additions, edits, and deletions at once The "unassigned" value is a system value that cannot be edited or deleted. ## Assigning Hierarchy to Products Products can be assigned hierarchy values to categorize them within your organizational structure. ### Collection-Level Hierarchy Each collection shows its assigned hierarchy values in the **Hierarchy** tab on the collection detail page. This tab displays: * Each active hierarchy field with its custom label * The assigned value (or "Not set" if unassigned) * The field level number Hierarchy fields help organize your products for better reporting and management. Once configured, you can assign products to specific hierarchy values from the Product List page. ## Using Hierarchy in Tether ### Filtering by Hierarchy Active hierarchy fields appear as filter groups on the SKU dashboard and other views. Each field's values are shown with tri-state filtering support (include, exclude, or indifferent). An "(Unassigned)" option is also available for products without a value for that field. ### Demand Forecasting In demand forecasting, hierarchy fields can be used to: * Group and filter forecasts by category * Compare performance across hierarchy values * Organize forecast views by product categorization ## Hierarchy Design Best Practices Choose field labels based on how you need to report and analyze: * How does leadership want to see performance? * What comparisons are meaningful? * How is the business organized? You don't need to use all 5 fields: * 2–4 active fields is common * Each field adds a filter dimension to your views * You can always activate more fields later Each product should fit clearly into one value per field: * Avoid overlapping categories * "Active" vs "Casual" might overlap — be specific Consider future product lines: * Leave room for new values * Don't make labels too specific * Values can be added or edited at any time If you use hierarchy in other systems: * Align naming where possible * Map values for integrations * Document any differences ## Common Hierarchy Patterns ### Fashion / Apparel | Field | Label | Example Values | | ------- | ------------ | ------------------------ | | Field 1 | Gender | Men's, Women's, Unisex | | Field 2 | Category | Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear | | Field 3 | Sub-Category | T-Shirts, Blouses, Jeans | | Field 4 | Style | Casual, Formal, Active | ### Consumer Electronics | Field | Label | Example Values | | ------- | -------------- | ---------------------------- | | Field 1 | Division | Computing, Mobile, Audio | | Field 2 | Category | Laptops, Tablets, Headphones | | Field 3 | Product Family | MacBook, iPad, AirPods | | Field 4 | Product Type | Pro, Air, Standard | ### Food & Beverage | Field | Label | Example Values | | ------- | ------------ | -------------------------- | | Field 1 | Category | Beverages, Snacks, Meals | | Field 2 | Sub-Category | Coffee, Tea, Juice | | Field 3 | Brand | Premium Roast, House Blend | | Field 4 | Product Line | Single Origin, Decaf | ### Home Goods | Field | Label | Example Values | | ------- | -------- | ----------------------------- | | Field 1 | Room | Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchen | | Field 2 | Category | Bedding, Furniture, Decor | | Field 3 | Style | Modern, Classic, Rustic | | Field 4 | Material | Cotton, Linen, Microfiber | ## Managing Hierarchy Changes ### Adding New Values 1. Open the hierarchy dashboard 2. Click **⋯** → **Manage Values** on the target field 3. Click **Add Value** and enter the new value name 4. Click **Save Changes** ### Editing Values 1. Open the Manage Values modal for the field 2. Click directly on the value name to edit inline 3. Modified values show a blue "(edited)" indicator 4. Click **Save Changes** to apply Renaming hierarchy values can affect how existing products are categorized. Consider the impact on reporting before making changes. ### Removing Values 1. Open the Manage Values modal for the field 2. Click the trash icon on the value to mark it for deletion 3. Deleted values show with strikethrough and can be restored before saving 4. Click **Save Changes** to apply ## Troubleshooting ### Products Not Appearing in Hierarchy Filter **Possible causes:** * Product doesn't have hierarchy values assigned * The hierarchy field is not activated **Solution:** 1. Verify the hierarchy field is active on the dashboard 2. Assign hierarchy values to products 3. Use the "(Unassigned)" filter option to find products without values ### Field Not Showing in Filters **Possible causes:** * Field is not activated * No values have been added **Solution:** 1. Activate the field with a custom label 2. Add at least one value to the field ### Cannot Delete a System Value **Cause:** The "unassigned" value is a system value **Solution:** * System values like "unassigned" cannot be edited or deleted * They are automatically managed by the system ## Next Steps Organize products with collections Set up product attributes Use hierarchy in forecast analysis Filter products by hierarchy