1. Log in to the Butler Panel
Sign in to the Butler Panel using your account credentials. If you experience any difficulties, refer to the login guide available here.
2. Access the Catalogue
Open the options menu located on the left side of your screen. Then, go to the tab labeled as "Catalogue".
3. Start Creating a Category
Click the “+ Add Category 
” button at the top of the page to begin creating a new category.
4. Category Name
In the “Name” field, type the name of the category.
Give your category a clear and descriptive name, such as “Appetizers,” “Main Dishes,” “Desserts,” or “Drinks.”
For example:
5. Add Hidden Description (Optional)
In the “Hidden Description” field, you can enter a description related to the category. Use this field to add internal notes or information about the category, which will only be visible to you and your staff.
Note: If your store is equipped with the digital Butler Catalogue, the Hidden Description will not be visible to your customers.
6. Select Kitchen
By clicking on the “Selected Kitchen” field, choose one of your store’s available kitchens. Every product order from this category will be directed to that kitchen (and an order ticket will be printed) for preparation.
7. Select Catalogue (see Multiple Catalogues)
If you have created multiple catalogues for your store, click on the “Selected Catalogue” field and choose the catalogue in which this category will belong and be displayed.
*To see how you can create multiple catalogues, follow this link.
8. Set Serving Sequence(Optional)
If you have enabled the “Serving Sequence” feature, click on the corresponding field to define the order in which the products of this category will be served (e.g., appetizers first, followed by main dishes).
*To enable the Serving Sequence feature, please contact Butler Customer Support or your business’s Butler Account Manager.
9. Select VAT Category
Choose the appropriate VAT category that applies to the products included in this category.
*If you’re not sure which VAT category is appropriate for the product category you want to add, please consult your accountant.
10. Select Income Classification Category
Next, in the “Income Classification Category Code” field, choose the category that corresponds to the specific product: “Merchandise,” “Product,” or “Service.”
At this stage, if you don’t make a selection or skip it, the default option “Merchandise” will be applied automatically. You can modify this at any time.
11. Upload Photo (Optional)
Optionally, you can upload an appealing photo that represents the category, such as a picture of a dish or a drink, by clicking or dragging a file into the box below.
This will make your catalogue more attractive to your customers, especially if you are using the Butler Catalogue. It will also make the catalogue even easier for your staff to use.
12. Select Colour (Optional)
Finally, in the circle located below the photo box, you can manually set the colour of your choice for the category.
Tip: It’s a good idea to select a colour, as this makes order-taking at the Point of Sale visually easier both for the cashier and for your waiters.
If you upload an accompanying photo, the Panel will automatically select the dominant colour from the image as the category colour.
With photo: No photo:
13. Complete Creation
Finally, once you’ve filled in all the required fields, click the “Add” button to create the category.
Your category will now appear on the “Catalogue” tab.
14. Copy Category to Catalogue
You have the option to copy a category in case you have multiple catalogues. Specifically:
Select the catalogue from which you want to copy the category.
For example:
You select a category and click on the pencil that's located on the bottom left.
Then, you press the icon presenting two papers, next to "Edit Category", on the top left.
The following screen will appear, and you will need to click the “Copy” button.
*It may take a few seconds, especially if there are many products in the specific category.
Finally, to find the copied category and apply it to another catalogue, go to the catalogue selection menu and choose “All”, as shown in the image below.
There, you should see the copied category exactly as it was, including all the products it contained, with the only difference being that the word “Copy” will appear in its title to make it easier to identify.
You can edit it and add it to another catalogue of your store. To see how to do this, refer to the steps outlined above in this article (Steps 4–12).
Tips:
Use clear and descriptive names for your categories so that both your staff and your customers can easily find what they are looking for.
Organize your categories in a logical way, such as by dish type (appetizers, main dishes, desserts) or by kitchen section (bar, kitchen, pass, etc.).
Use attractive photos and colours to make your catalogue more engaging and to capture your customers’ attention.
Update your catalogue regularly by adding new products and categories, or by deactivating/removing products that are no longer available.