Prevent entry creation in a category

Program managers may sometimes need to prevent entrants from creating new entries in a specific category while leaving the rest of the program open. This can be useful in several scenarios such as:

• Continuing to test newly created categories after entries have opened
• Allowing a specific category to accept entries for a shorter period
• Temporarily closing a category that has received a large number of entries

Preventing entry creation in a category is done by deactivating the category.

Deactivate a category

1. In the Manage workspace, go to Entries
2. Click Edit form
3. Select the category from the category drop-down
4. Hover over the category drop-down and click the settings icon
5. In the configuration tray, locate the Category is active checkbox
6. Deselect the checkbox
7. Click Save

Once deactivated, entrants will no longer see this category when creating new entries.

Reactivate a category

To allow entrants to create entries in the category again:

1. In the Manage workspace, go to Entries
2. Click Edit form
3. Select the category from the category drop-down
4. Hover over the category drop-down and click the settings icon
5. In the configuration tray, locate the Category is active checkbox
6. Select the checkbox
7. Click Save

The category will once again appear to entrants when creating entries.

Test an inactive category

Program managers can still access inactive categories for testing purposes.

When creating an entry from the Enter workspace under Entries, the category will still appear in the category list but will be labelled "(inactive for entrants)". This label is only visible to managers. Entrants will not see the category or the message.

Good to know

• Deactivating a category hides it from entrants but does not delete the category or its data.
• Program managers can still access inactive categories for testing.
• Inactive categories appear as "(inactive for entrants)" to managers only.
• If you only want to prevent edits after submission, go to Settings > Entries > Form settings and enable Form locked after submission.