Creating and Managing Categories

Creating a Category

Categories can be created from scratch, from a spreadsheet import, from a template, or from a Revit Model. Once created, all categories behave the same, so the creation method largely depends on where your data currently resides.

Creating a Category from Scratch

A category created from scratch starts with no fields or elements. This option is best if you’ll be adding all your data into Layer manually to begin with. Creating a category from scratch lets you specify the Category name, Instance name, and initials for the category.

Example:

Creating a Category using the Excel Import tool

Importing data from a spreadsheet can create a category or add data to an existing category. This option is best if you have existing data in an Excel or CSV file that you’d like to add to Layer to get started. See Data Import for how to use this method and for tips from the Layer Team.

Creating a category from a Template

One or more categories and their fields can be created when applying a Layer template to a project. Templates can also update existing categories, and may or may not include element data. Creating categories from a template is best if you have an existing project or category structure you’ve previously built in Layer that you would like to transfer to your current project or you’re using a Layer-built template to jump-start a project with a specific workflow. See the Templates page for more information on using templates.

Working with the Revit Categories

Revit categories are automatically created with a set of standard Revit fields when a model is added to a project. They have the same functionality and settings as basic categories but contain additional Revit-specific field types and element behavior. For more information on Revit Model Categories, see the Model Categories page.

Updating

You can update the category name and instance name in the category settings dialog.

💡If you’re looking for Revit Parameter sync, which used to live in category settings, it has been updated and moved into Automations as the Update Revit Parameter Action.

Deleting

Deleting a category is an irreversible action that also deletes all associated Fields, Elements, and Views. Feel free to delete categories created by accident or that are no longer needed, but because there’s no limit to the amount of data you can store in Layer, categories do not need to be deleted as part of a data maintenance or storage strategy.