Complete Filters User Guide

What this guide covers

This guide explains how to create, edit, delete, and manage filters in your store. Use this if you want to learn every action and button on the Filters page.

Getting Started with Filters

What are filters?

Filters help your customers find products quickly on your store. You can create filters for product attributes like color, size, brand, price, and more.

Opening the Filters page

1. Log into your dashboard.
2. Look at the main menu on the left side.
3. Click Filters.
4. The Filters page now opens.

Screenshot: Show the left navigation menu with "Filters" highlighted.

The Filters Page Overview

What you see on the Filters page

When you open Filters, you will see:

Screenshot: Full Filters page layout showing all sections.

The Filters List

• A table or list showing all your filters.
• Each filter shows its name, status, and when it was last edited.
• This is where you see all created filters at a glance.

The Create Filter Button

• Located at the top of the page.
• Button label: Create Filter or + New Filter.
• Click this to start making a new filter.

Filter Actions (for each filter in the list)

Each filter in the list has action buttons or a menu:

• Edit: Opens the filter editor so you can change settings.
• Publish: Makes the filter live on your store.
• Unpublish: Hides the filter from your store.
• Delete: Removes the filter from the dashboard.
• More options (three dots menu): May show additional actions.

Empty State

If you have not created any filters yet, the page shows:

• A message like "No filters yet" or "Create your first filter".
• A button to create a new filter.
• A help link with tips on how to get started.

Creating a New Filter

Step 1: Start Creating a Filter

1. On the Filters page, click Create Filter.
2. You are now taken to the filter creation form.

Screenshot: Empty filter creation form showing all input fields.

Step 2: Fill in the Filter Name

• Find the Filter Name field.
• Enter a clear name for the filter (for example, "Color", "Size", "Brand").
• The name is what customers see on your store.
• Keep names short and clear.

Step 3: Choose the Filter Type

• Look for the Type or Filter Type dropdown.
• Select the type of filter you want to create:
  • Dropdown: Customers select one option from a list.
  • Checkbox: Customers can select multiple options.
  • Range: Customers choose from a minimum and maximum value.
• Each type works differently, so choose what makes sense for your product data.

Step 4: Add Filter Options

Depending on the filter type, you may need to add options:

For Dropdown and Checkbox Filters:

1. Look for the Options or Add Option section.
2. Click Add Option or + Add.
3. Enter the option name (for example, "Red", "Blue", "Large", "Small").
4. Optional: Set the number of products for each option.
5. Repeat until all options are added.

For Range Filters:

1. Set the Minimum Value (for example, 0 for price).
2. Set the Maximum Value (for example, 1000 for price).
3. Optional: Set the step or increment between values.

Screenshot: Filter creation form with options being added.

Step 5: Configure Filter Settings

Look for these optional settings:

Display Name

• The label shown to customers (may be different from the filter name).
• Leave blank if you want the filter name used.

Sort Order

• Choose how options appear to customers.
• Options: Alphabetical, Manual, or by number of products.

Collapsible

• If enabled, customers can collapse/expand the filter.
• Useful for filters with many options.

Enable Search

• If enabled, customers can search within the filter options.
• Useful for long lists.

Step 6: Save the Filter

1. Find the Save or Save Filter button at the bottom of the form.
2. Click it.
3. You see a success message if the filter was saved.
4. You are taken back to the Filters list.
5. Your new filter now appears in the list.

Screenshot: Success notification after saving a filter.

Editing an Existing Filter

Step 1: Open a Filter for Editing

1. On the Filters page, find the filter you want to edit.
2. Click the Edit button or click the filter name.
3. The filter editor opens showing all current settings.

Screenshot: Filter editing form with populated fields.

Step 2: Change Filter Details

You can change any of these:

• Filter name
• Filter type (in some cases)
• Display name
• Sort order
• Collapsible setting
• Search enabled setting

Step 3: Update Options

To add a new option:

1. Click Add Option.
2. Enter the new option name.
3. Click save.

To edit an existing option:

1. Find the option in the list.
2. Click the option name or click Edit.
3. Update the text or settings.
4. Click Save or checkmark.

To delete an option:

1. Find the option in the list.
2. Click the Delete button or trash icon.
3. Confirm deletion if prompted.

Screenshot: Editing an option in the filter.

Step 4: Save Changes

1. Scroll to the bottom of the form.
2. Click Save or Update Filter.
3. A success message confirms the changes.
4. You are returned to the Filters list.

Publishing and Unpublishing Filters

What does "Published" mean?

• Published: The filter is active and shows on your store.
• Unpublished: The filter is hidden from customers on your store.

Publishing a Filter

Method 1: From the Filters List

1. Find the filter you want to publish.
2. Look at the status column or action buttons.
3. Click Publish or the publish icon.
4. A confirmation message appears.
5. The filter status changes to "Published".

Method 2: From the Edit Page

1. Open the filter for editing (click Edit).
2. Look for the Publish button at the top or bottom.
3. Click Publish.
4. A success message appears.
5. You return to the Filters list.

Screenshot: Filter marked as published in the list.

Unpublishing a Filter

Method 1: From the Filters List

1. Find the published filter.
2. Click Unpublish or the unpublish button.
3. A confirmation message appears.
4. The filter is now hidden from your store.

Method 2: From the Edit Page

1. Open the filter for editing.
2. Click Unpublish at the top or bottom.
3. Confirm if asked.
4. The filter is now unpublished.

Screenshot: Filter marked as unpublished showing different status.

Important Notes

• Unpublishing a filter does not delete it. It stays in the dashboard but hides from customers.
• You can republish an unpublished filter at any time.
• Your store may require at least one published filter to display search/browse features.

Deleting a Filter

Step 1: Find the Filter

1. On the Filters page, locate the filter you want to delete.
2. Look for the Delete button or the three-dot menu.

Step 2: Click Delete

1. Click the Delete button.
2. A confirmation popup appears asking "Are you sure?" or similar.

Screenshot: Delete confirmation dialog.

Step 3: Confirm Deletion

1. Read the confirmation message.
2. Click Confirm, Yes, or Delete (depending on the button label).
3. The filter is permanently removed from the dashboard.
4. A success message appears.

Important

• This action cannot be undone. Deleted filters are gone for good.
• Once deleted, the filter no longer appears on your store.
• If customers saved this filter to their account, they may see an error.

Understanding Filter Buttons and Controls

Main Page Buttons

Filter Editor Buttons

Filter Status Indicators

Common Filter Fields and What They Do

Filter Name

• What it is: The internal name you use in the dashboard.
• Example: "ProductColor", "ShirtSize"
• Tip: Use names that make sense to you for easy searching.

Display Name

• What it is: The name shown to customers on your store.
• Example: "Color", "Size", "Available Colors"
• Tip: Use customer-friendly names, not technical names.

Filter Type

• What it is: The kind of filter (Dropdown, Checkbox, Range, etc.).
• Dropdown: Customers pick one option. Use for single-choice attributes.
• Checkbox: Customers pick multiple options. Use for multi-choice attributes.
• Range: Customers pick a minimum and maximum. Use for numeric attributes like price.

Sort Order

• What it is: How filter options are arranged.
• Options:
  • Alphabetical: A to Z
  • Manual: Your custom order
  • By Product Count: Most popular first

Collapsible

• What it is: Whether customers can collapse the filter.
• When to use: Turn on for filters with many options to save space.

Enable Search in Filter

• What it is: Whether customers can search within a filter's options.
• When to use: Turn on for filters with 10+ options.

Step-by-Step: Complete Filter Workflow Example

Example: Create a "Color" Filter

Create the Filter

1. Click Create Filter.
2. Name: "ProductColor"
3. Display Name: "Color"
4. Type: "Checkbox"
5. Add options:
   • Red
   • Blue
   • Green
   • Yellow
   • Black
   • White
6. Sort Order: "Alphabetical"
7. Collapsible: "Yes"
8. Enable Search: "No"
9. Click Save.

Edit the Filter

1. Find "ProductColor" in the list.
2. Click Edit.
3. Change Display Name to "Available Colors" (more descriptive).
4. Add a new option: "Pink".
5. Remove "Yellow" (not a popular color).
6. Click Save.

Publish the Filter

1. Find "ProductColor" in the list.
2. Status shows "Unpublished".
3. Click Publish.
4. Status changes to "Published".
5. The filter now appears on your store.

Check on Your Store

1. Visit your store (open it in a new tab).
2. You see the "Available Colors" filter with options: Black, Blue, Green, Pink, Red, White.
3. Customers can now use it to filter products by color.

Best Practices for Filters

Naming

• Use clear, customer-friendly names.
• Avoid abbreviations (use "Color" not "Col").
• Use consistent naming across all filters.

Organization

• Group related filters together (size and color near each other).
• Limit the number of options per filter (10-15 is ideal).
• Remove options with zero products.

Publishing

• Always test a filter on your store before publishing.
• Publish only filters you want customers to use.
• Unpublish filters that are no longer relevant.

Maintenance

• Review filters quarterly to remove outdated options.
• Add new filter options as you add new products.
• Delete filters you no longer need.

Performance

• Filters with too many options slow down your store.
• Keep option lists under 20 items when possible.
• Use search for filters with many options.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Filter Not Showing on Store

• Check: Is the filter published?
• Solution: Go to Filters page, find the filter, click Publish.

Filter Shows but Options Are Empty

• Check: Were options added to the filter?
• Solution: Edit the filter and verify options are added correctly.

Cannot Add Options

• Check: Is the filter type one that supports options?
• Solution: Some filter types don't have options. Check filter type.

Filter Appears Broken or Error

• Check: Are there conflicting product attributes?
• Solution: Delete the filter and recreate it with correct data.

Customers Report Filter Not Working

• Check: Did you publish the filter?
• Solution: Publish it, then clear your browser cache and reload the store.

Need More Help?

Getting Support

• Open the Support page in the dashboard.
• Use the contact form or direct email.
• Tell support which filter is having issues.

Common Questions

• Q: Can I edit a filter after publishing?
  • A: Yes, edit anytime. Changes take effect immediately on your store.
• Q: Can I delete a published filter?
  • A: Yes, it will disappear from your store when deleted.
• Q: Can I have duplicate filter names?
  • A: No, each filter needs a unique name.
• Q: How many filters can I create?
  • A: It depends on your plan. Check your Billing page for limits.
• Q: Do customers see unpublished filters?
  • A: No, only published filters appear on your store.

Summary

You now know how to:

• ✓ Create filters
• ✓ Edit and update filters
• ✓ Publish filters to your store
• ✓ Unpublish filters when not needed
• ✓ Delete filters permanently
• ✓ Understand all buttons and controls
• ✓ Follow best practices
• ✓ Troubleshoot common problems

For questions, use the Support page or contact the app team.