Idea Categories - Vanilla Success
<main> <article class="userContent"> <p><strong>Ideation </strong>is designed around the singular principle of soliciting and gathering ideas and feedback from your <strong>Higher Logic Vanilla (Vanilla)</strong> users, all from a centralized location: the unique <strong>Idea Category</strong>.</p><h3 data-id="benefits">Benefits</h3><ul><li>Users can submit their ideas in Idea Categories your organization has defined</li><li>Admins can keep users in the loop about their submissions via <em>default </em>and/or <em>custom </em><strong>status labels</strong></li><li>Users can vote and comment on submissions to help crowd-source the best ideas</li></ul><h3 data-id="common-use-case">Common use-case</h3><ul><li><strong>User groups that solicit product feature ideas</strong> - Ideation gives these organizations a central place to gather and nurture feedback to better align their product road map with user-requested ideas and features.</li></ul><h2 data-id="enable-the-ideation-addon">Enable the Ideation addon</h2><p><strong>📝 NOTE</strong>: The Ideation addon is only available at the <a href="https://vanillaforums.com/en/plans/" rel="nofollow noreferrer ugc">Essential and higher tier plans</a>.</p><p>To enable Ideation:</p><ol><li>Access the Dashboard.</li><li>Navigate to <strong>Settings > Addons > Addons</strong>.</li><li>Click to slide the <strong>Ideation </strong>toggle to the right.</li></ol><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/IO8S3LRCD8FS/enable-ideation-addon.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/IO8S3LRCD8FS/enable-ideation-addon.png" alt="enable_ideation_addon.png" height="638" width="1058" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p><strong>📝 NOTE</strong>: If the Ideation addon isn't available, contact your CSM or Vanilla Support to enable it.</p><h2 data-id="create-an-idea-category">Create an Idea Category</h2><p>If <strong>Ideation</strong> is enabled in your Vanilla community,<strong> </strong>admins can create idea-based Categories via a new Category option: <strong>Idea Category </strong>(see image below). </p><p>To create an Idea Category:</p><p>1. Access the Dashboard.</p><p>2. Navigate to <strong>Settings > Discussions > Categories</strong>.</p><p>3. Click the <strong>Add Category</strong> button.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/YLQMFLF9CCD3/create-idea-cat-1.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/YLQMFLF9CCD3/create-idea-cat-1.png" alt="create_idea_cat-1.png" height="405" width="1058" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>4. Check the <strong>Idea Category</strong> box. </p><p>5. Optionally, if you'd like users to be able to downvote ideas, check the <strong>Use Down Votes </strong>box (by default, users can only upvote ideas).</p><p>6. Configure the other Category options as desired (make sure to set the <strong>Display As </strong>option to <strong>Discussions </strong>so that users can post ideas in this Category.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/P757CISCECFY/idea-category-toggle.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/P757CISCECFY/idea-category-toggle.png" alt="idea_category_toggle.png" height="317" width="727" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>7. When finished, click <strong>Save </strong>to create the Idea Category.</p><p><strong>✔️ TIP</strong>: You can apply <strong>CSS</strong> <strong>classes </strong>to your Idea Categories to differentiate them from other Categories, or to just match your community's overall aesthetic. Check out this blog post to learn how:</p><div class="js-embed embedResponsive" data-embedjson="{"body":"Want to add an image icon to a category? Maybe add a custom background image too? Learn how in this theme tip on customizing categories.","photoUrl":"https:\/\/blog.vanillaforums.com\/hubfs\/Imported_Blog_Media\/Edit_Category_Add_Image1-7.png#keepProtocol","url":"https:\/\/blog.vanillaforums.com\/product\/friday-theme-tip-customizing-categories","embedType":"link","name":"[Product Post] Theme Tip: Customizing Categories"}"> <a href="https://blog.vanillaforums.com/product/friday-theme-tip-customizing-categories" rel="nofollow noreferrer ugc"> https://blog.vanillaforums.com/product/friday-theme-tip-customizing-categories </a> </div><h3 data-id="notes">Notes</h3><ul><li>Existing non-ideation Categories cannot be changed to Idea Categories.</li><li>Once a Category is created as an Idea Category, it cannot be changed to a regular category</li><li>By default, all ideas can be upvoted. When a user clicks to upvote an idea, +1 is added to its Ideation score. </li></ul><h2 data-id="idea-statuses">Idea statuses</h2><p>A <strong>status </strong>can be assigned to each idea to inform users what state the idea is in, and whether the idea is open to voting or not. </p><p>By default, Ideation includes the following default statuses: </p><ul><li>Active</li><li>Already Offered</li><li>Declined</li><li>Completed</li><li>In Progress</li><li>In Review</li></ul><p>You're free to rename and repurpose these default statuses, and even create your own, to meet your Vanilla community's needs. </p><h3 data-id="access-idea-statuses">Access idea statuses</h3><p>1. Access the Dashboard.</p><p>2. Navigate to <strong>Settings > Discussions > Idea Statuses</strong>.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/N7LX6JLN123N/access-statuses.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/N7LX6JLN123N/access-statuses.png" alt="access_statuses.png" height="526" width="1080" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>On this page, you can:</p><ul><li><strong>edit </strong>and <strong>delete</strong> existing statuses</li><li><strong>create </strong>additional statuses</li></ul><p><strong>📝 NOTE</strong>: You must have the <code class="code codeInline" spellcheck="false" tabindex="0">Garden > Settings > Manage </code><a href="https://success.vanillaforums.com/kb/articles/39-roles-permissions" rel="nofollow noreferrer ugc">permission</a> to manage statuses.</p><h3 data-id="create-a-status">Create a status</h3><p>1. Click <strong>Add Status</strong>.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/PYW6MX1REWTQ/create-status.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/PYW6MX1REWTQ/create-status.png" alt="create_status.png" height="258" width="800" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>2. In the dialog, give the status a name that properly indicates its purpose.</p><p>3. Select <strong>Open </strong>or <strong>Closed </strong>to set whether ideas in this status can be voted on.</p><p>4. Optionally check the <strong>Default Status </strong>box to make this the default status for all new ideas.</p><p>5. Click <strong>Save </strong>to create the status.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/I3QS9KVHV1DX/create-status-2.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/I3QS9KVHV1DX/create-status-2.png" alt="create_status-2.png" height="428" width="1027" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h3 data-id="edit-and-delete-statuses">Edit and delete statuses</h3><ul><li>Click the <strong>pencil icon</strong> to <strong>edit </strong>a status. You can update its name, open or close voting on ideas belonging to the status, and set a status as the default when creating ideas.</li><li>Click the <strong>trashcan icon</strong> to <strong>delete </strong>a status, followed by <strong>Okay </strong>in the confirmation popup.</li></ul><p><strong>📝 NOTE</strong>: You cannot delete the status set as the default (notice the missing trashcan icon for the <em>Active</em> status below).</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/MM5NLGGQQPFR/edit-delete-statuses.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/MM5NLGGQQPFR/edit-delete-statuses.png" alt="edit_delete_statuses.png" height="371" width="800" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p><strong>📝 NOTE</strong>: By default, <strong>Active</strong> is the <strong>default </strong>status for new ideas (you're free to choose any status as the default). Make sure a default is always selected, as not doing so may result in unexpected behavior.</p><h2 data-id="change-an-ideas-status">Change an idea’s status</h2><p><strong>📝 NOTE</strong>: You need the <code class="code codeInline" spellcheck="false" tabindex="0">Garden.Moderation.Manage</code> <a href="https://success.vanillaforums.com/kb/articles/39-roles-permissions" rel="nofollow noreferrer ugc">permission</a> in order to change an idea's status.</p><p>1. Navigate to an idea page.</p><p>2. Click the (<strong>...</strong>) <strong>menu </strong>and select <strong>Edit Idea Status</strong>.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/0RMBBIOPHHQ0/edit-idea-status.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/0RMBBIOPHHQ0/edit-idea-status.png" alt="edit_idea_status.png" height="516" width="980" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>3. In the resulting dialog, select a new status from the menu, and optionally provide an explanation for the change (e.g., if changing from <em>In Progress</em> to <em>Complete</em>, let users know when they can expect the new feature to be available).</p><p><strong>📝 NOTE</strong>: Changing an idea’s status will trigger notifications to the idea author and any idea voters, if these notifications are enabled for their accounts.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/HNLB6XHO16NC/edit-idea-status-2.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/HNLB6XHO16NC/edit-idea-status-2.png" alt="edit_idea_status-2.png" height="348" width="744" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h2 data-id="sort-filter-ideas">Sort & filter ideas</h2><p>When viewing an Idea Category, you can <strong>sort </strong>and <strong>filter </strong>the listed ideas to make it easier to find what you're looking for.</p><p><strong>✔️ TIP</strong>: You can use both a Sort <em>and </em>Filter option to refine the list even further.</p><h3 data-id="sort-ideas">Sort ideas</h3><p>Choose a <strong>Sort </strong>option to list its associated ideas at the top of the list.</p><ul><li><strong>Hot </strong>- Ideas with the most comments and the most points</li><li><strong>Top </strong>- Ideas with the most upvotes</li><li><strong>New </strong>- Latest ideas posted </li></ul><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/4U7Z17A2QEII/sort-options.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/4U7Z17A2QEII/sort-options.png" alt="sort_options.png" height="334" width="423" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h3 data-id="filter-ideas">Filter ideas</h3><p>Choose a <strong>Filter </strong>option to refine the list by a specific status or to only ideas with voting open/closed.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/1QQ5S8V3TU48/filter-options.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6030677/uploads/1QQ5S8V3TU48/filter-options.png" alt="filter_options.png" height="586" width="619" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <h2 data-id="ideation-%2B-gamification">Ideation + gamification</h2><ul><li>Users submitting ideas will receive <strong>+1</strong> point for each <strong>upvote </strong>their idea receives.</li><li>Ideation uses upvotes, which are associated with the "Up Votes" set of <a href="https://success.vanillaforums.com/kb/articles/15-badges" rel="nofollow noreferrer ugc">Badges</a>. Users can <em>also </em>upvote Reactions, though, so if you'd like these badges to only be earned by users who upvote ideas, we recommend turning OFF upvotes for Reactions.</li></ul><h2 data-id="additional-resources">Additional resources</h2><div class="js-embed embedResponsive" data-embedjson="{"body":"Communities are places for people to ask questions, get support, or even share ideas. The last one is an important function, especially for companies who actually offer a service or make a product.","photoUrl":"https:\/\/blog.vanillaforums.com\/hubfs\/Imported_Blog_Media\/ideation-3.png#keepProtocol","url":"https:\/\/blog.vanillaforums.com\/product\/feature-spotlight-ideation-vanilla-community","embedType":"link","name":"[Product] Feature Spotlight: Ideation In Your Vanilla Community"}"> <a href="https://blog.vanillaforums.com/product/feature-spotlight-ideation-vanilla-community" rel="nofollow noreferrer ugc"> https://blog.vanillaforums.com/product/feature-spotlight-ideation-vanilla-community </a> </div><p><br></p> </article> </main>