Categories List Block

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The Categories List block organizes your previously published posts by category. This can be handy for readers who want to find more of your posts about certain topics.

The Categories List block can be added to a page by clicking on the Block Inserter button. You can find the Categories List block listed under the Widgets section.

Alternatively, you can type /categories to select the Categories List block and hit enter in a new paragraph block to add one quickly.

Detailed instructions on adding blocks

Block toolbar

Each block has its own block-specific controls that allow you to manipulate the block right in the editor. The Categories List block has the following options in the Block toolbar. 

Transform to

You can transform a Categories List block into a Tag Cloud, Columns, or a Group block. 

Block-moving tools

Use the block-moving tools to move the block up and down inside the editor. Use the six dots icon to drag and drop the Categories List block and reposition it anywhere on the editor. Alternatively, click on the up and down arrows to move the block up or down the editor.

Get more information about moving a block within the editor.

Change alignment

The change alignment tool lets you align the Categories List block within the content. You can choose one of the following alignment options:

None: Leaves the block alignment as is.

Wide width: Increase the width of the block beyond the content size.

Full width: Extend the block to cover the full width of the screen (if supported by your site’s theme).

Align left: Align the block to the left of the content.

Align center: Align the block to the center of the content.

Align right: Align the block to the right of the content.

Read about these and other settings.

Block settings

Every block has specific options in the editor sidebar in addition to the options found in the block toolbar. If you do not see the sidebar, simply click the sidebar icon.

Categories List settings

The Categories List settings allow you to choose whether to display the categories list as a dropdown, or the default bulleted list. You also have the choice to show/hide the hierarchy, the top-level categories only, and the post counts.

Display as dropdown 

Choose this option to display the categories in a dropdown menu rather than as a list. This is handy if you want to save space or have a lot of categories.

Show post counts 

If this option is chosen, the total number of published posts for each category will be displayed next to the category link. You can show post counts in both the list and dropdown display formats.

Show only top-level categories 

If you have parent and child categories (subcategories within main categories) you can choose to display only the top-level category.

Show empty categories 

You have the option to show or hide empty categories in the categories list.

Show hierarchy 

If you have parent and child categories (subcategories within main categories) you can choose to display the hierarchy or just leave the list without indicating which subcategories fit inside your main categories. You can show category hierarchies in both the list and dropdown display formats.

Typography

The Typography settings enable you to customize the font and text appearance of the content within the Categories List block. The settings have various options, such as font size, font style, font family, and letter spacing.

Get more details about changing typography settings.

Dimensions

The Categories List block provides dimension settings options to add padding and margin.

For details refer to this support article: Dimension settings overview

Advanced settings

The advanced tab lets you add a CSS class to your block, allowing you to write custom CSS and style the block as you see fit.