---
title: "Create a category"
slug: "create-a-category"
tags: ["Totara Learn", "Site Administrator", "How-to"]
updated: 2026-08-13T16:01:28Z
published: 2026-08-13T16:01:28Z
canonical: "totara.help/create-a-category"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://totara.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a category

Follow these steps to create a new [category](/totara-20/docs/what-are-categories):

1. In the quick-access menu go to *Courses and categories > Create new category.*
2. Set the parent category to make a subcategory or leave as **Top** to make this a top-level category.
3. Enter a category name.
4. If you need to match this category against an external system, set a unique ID.
5. Optionally enter a description for your new category.
6. Click **Create Category**.

[Embedded content](https://www.youtube.com/embed/z2DRuBxA2-4?&wmode=opaque&rel=0)

## Next steps

- [Show or hide a category](/totara-20/docs/show-or-hide-a-category)
- [Edit a category](/totara-20/docs/edit-a-category)
- [Add a subcategory](/totara-20/docs/create-a-subcategory)
- [Create a course](/totara-20/docs/create-a-course)

![Course badge](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/course-badge_courses-and-categories(2).svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T16%3A31%3A21Z&se=2026-11-09T17%3A31%3A21Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=BhHi0k0vBKLy3p6f2ihBiWrDlry735ybsgbO06KlgzY%3D)The Totara Academy has a whole course dedicated to using [Courses and categories](https://totara.community/mod/page/view.php?id=22080) in Totara. Here you can see best practice, learn more and give it a go yourself.

Join the [Totara Community](https://totara.community/) for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.

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