AltCategories.CSV
The AltCategories.CSV file allows you to assign alternative category names to items, which determines how they appear grouped in costing reports and the QuoteGroups function. This overrides the standard item categories for reporting purposes.
🧾 File structure and location
This CSV file is automatically created by Roof Wizard and stored in your data files directory. The file contains two columns:
Column | Description |
Product Code | Unique identifier for the item (must match exactly with your item database) |
Alternative Category Name | The custom category name you want this item grouped under in reports |
🔧 How it works
When you assign an alternative category to an item:
The item retains its original category for all normal functions
In costing reports, the item appears under the alternative category name instead
Labour and material items are grouped according to these alternative categories in the QuoteGroups function
Multiple items can share the same alternative category name to group them together
🛠 Example usage
You might want to group different flashing products under a single "Flashings" category for simplified reporting, even though they have different technical categories in your item database.
Product Code | Alternative Category Name |
FL001 | Flashings |
FL027 | Flashings |
RG100 | Guttering Systems |
⚠️ Editing guidelines and warnings
While you can edit this file in Excel, exercise extreme caution:
Critical rules:
Always back up the file before editing
Never change the CSV format or column structure
Product codes must match exactly with your item database (case-sensitive)
Do not add extra commas or special characters
Save as CSV format only - not Excel format
Common mistakes to avoid:
Adding spaces before or after product codes
Using quotation marks around category names unnecessarily
Leaving blank rows in the middle of data
Including header rows if not originally present
Errors in this file can seriously disrupt software operation and report generation.
💡 Tips for effective use
Use consistent naming conventions for alternative categories
Keep category names short but descriptive for cleaner reports
Test report outputs after making changes to verify groupings work as expected
Consider how alternative categories will affect your QuoteGroups function before implementing