Creating and using subject categories to classify comments

What is a subject category

This is an option the administrator has to set up a board to include subject categories to be used to classify comments. A participant or moderator can classify the comment when positing to a topic using a custom set of subjects created by the administrator.

This is an option setting which can be switched ON or OFF to enable a board discussion to include an extra level of subject classification.

Please note: if you have set this to ON all participants and moderators will be required to classify their comments when submitting to the discussion board.

1. Go to your boards administration Manage tab.
2. Find the section in the left hand column called 'Comment categories'.
   
3. By default we provide you with a "General" category - this and all created categories can be edited by selecting the Edit button.
4. To add a category select the Add category button and a window will appear.
5. Complete the details and save. A new category will now be available.
   
   Please note: to use subject categories in your discussion board you must have the option to "Classify comments by subject", checked. You can turn this on when creating the board or from the boards Manage area.
   
   

Using categories to classify comments

Once you have included the option to include subject categories with comments, participants can select to classify their comments by a category option created by the administrator.

Once a comment has been submitted using a subject category, the category will be shown directly under the comment text.

All comments classified by category can be filtered in the board using the filter drop down option located in the right hand column above the settings area.

Please note: this option will only be available if the administrator has enabled this option when setting up the board. You can add this option at any time by checking the "Classify comments by subject" in the options section in the boards Manage area.

A word on reports!

In your reports file downloads the subject category will be listed and located next to those comments which have been classified.

An example file in .xlxs format has been attached to this tutorial.