> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hesh.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hesh.app/manuals/materials/introduction.md).
# Introduction
## Overview
The Materials page serves as the centralised place for managing all material-related data within the system. It provides a single, reliable source of information that supports manufacturing operations - from inventory planning to production and procurement.
The page helps achieve more efficient and effective access to essential material details, and enhance traceability across the production process. The Materials Page provides structured layout, configurable table views, and role-based permissions, which enables you to with securely view, manage, and maintain material records with confidence.
By reading this article, you will learn how to navigate the Materials page, understand its core features, and use it to support efficient and error-free production workflows.
## Rules and Information for the Materials Page
1. **Material Catalogue View**
1. Material Catalogue is presented by categories tabs
2. Each tab shows the table with listed subcategories and materials that are related to the selected category
3. Materials that have no category are displayed under “Without category” tab
2. **Material Information in table**:
1. General info: name, photo, id, unit of measure, external id, description, status
2. Cost: purchase price, actual price
3. Characteristics: parameters, values
4. Supplier details: supplier company, supplier country, delivery time, main contact person, email, phone number
5. Other: tags
3. **Customising of the Materials Table to adjust the needed view**:
* By dragging and dropping columns
* By pinning column to left/right
* By selecting and deselecting what columns to display
4. **Saving table settings**
1. The configured table settings are automatically saved in the DB each time you change the view attributes:
* columns placement
* pinned columns
* which columns to display
* filters applied
5. **Using the context menu**
*Right click* or click on *three dots* at the end of the row to open the context menu. By default, the menu includes the following options:
* Edit material
* Open material card
* Used in
* Duplicate
* Deactivate
6. **Access Permissions**
1. Viewing the Materials page requires the **Materials view** permission.
2. Editing materials or settings on the page requires the **Material edit level** permission
## Categories and Subcategories
Materials in the system are organised into Categories, which are displayed as tabs at the top of the Materials page. By switching between these tabs, you can quickly view materials that belong to a selected Category. Materials that do not have any assigned Category appear under the system-defined “Without category” tab.
### System-defined “Without category” tab
* **Always visible and pinned first**:\
The “Without category” tab is permanently displayed at the beginning of the tab list, regardless of whether it contains materials.
* **NOT editable:**\
It is NOT allowed to rename or delete this tab
* **Materials behaviour:**\
Materials located under “Without category” can not have a Subcategory. Subcategories are available only for materials that belong to custom Categories.
### Custom Categories
System provides the ability to create, edit, and delete custom Categories. These Categories can contain multiple Subcategories and allow flexible structuring of material data.
* Editing a Category:
1. To rename a Category click on its tab
2. Apply the new name
3. Approve or discard the changes.
* Additional actions:
1. Clicking the three-dot menu next to a Category tab.
2. In the context menu choose to edit or delete the Category.
* Deleting a Category:
1. Click "**Delete**" in context menu
2. Confirm the action in modal window
3. When a Category is deleted:
* all of its Subcategories are removed,
* all materials previously assigned to this Category are automatically moved to the “Without category” tab.
Deleting category
*Detailed steps for creating new Categories and Subcategories are described in the following articles.*
### Subcategories Logic
When a new Category is created, it may include a system-generated Subcategory called “Without subcategory” if no custom Subcategories are added.
* Materials assigned to a Category without a Subcategory are automatically placed into the “Without subcategory” group inside that Category.
* This group is displayed only when needed - it appears when there are relevant materials and is not displayed if all materials have Subcategories.
* All Subcategories within a Category are collapsed by default in the table to maintain a clear and compact view'
### Managing Subcategories
Subcategories provide an additional level of organisation within each Category. Users can rename or delete Subcategories as needed.
#### **Editing a Subcategory**
To edit a Subcategory:
1. Click directly on the Subcategory name
2. Enter the updated name
3. Approve or discard the changes
#### **Additional Subcategory Actions**
Right-clicking on a Subcategory group opens a context menu with options to:
* Edit the Subcategory
* Delete the Subcategory
#### **Deleting a Subcategory**
When a Subcategory is deleted:
* All materials assigned to this Subcategory are automatically moved to the “Without subcategory” group within the same Category
* The Subcategory is permanently removed from the list
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