---
sourceDocument: Yokohama Strategic Portfolio Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/yokohama/it-business-management

 Release :

    - yokohama

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Yokohama Strategic Portfolio Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itbm

bundleId :

    - itbm

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Define idea categories

# Define idea categories {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Yokohama
* 
* Updated January 30, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Create idea categories that a user can select to associate with a submitted idea. You can also add custom idea categories.

## Before you begin

Role required: idea_admin

## About this task

The default Idea Category \[im_category\] table stores the user-defined idea categories.

Define new idea categories if you don't want to use an existing table or if you want to use custom idea categories.
Create nested idea categories for defining a hierarchy of the idea categories.

You can use multiple idea categories with an Idea module, however, you can map only one category table with an Idea module.

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllIdeasIdea CategoryNew.
2. On the form, fill in the fields.  
   For more information, see [Idea category form](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/YTGTz9IlG9gtltXf1pyA8g "Learn about the fields of the Idea category form. Use this form to create or edit the details of an idea category in Innovation Management.").
3. Select Submit.  
   An idea category represents a theme for organizing idea submissions. All ideas submitted through the Idea Portal must be associated with at least one idea category. You can use values from an existing table or create idea categories for organizing your idea. Users select one or more idea categories, configured by an admin, to associate with their idea when they submit it. For more information, see [Create an Idea module](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/wV8Guw8AqNGR4kbEGn13Kg "An Idea module defines the ideas and categories that are displayed in the Idea Portal. Create an Idea module to store and group ideas, and define categories based on product, department, or business unit."), and [Idea category configuration](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/N9Rnr3z9M2ioktxXFwfH2w "Map an idea category table with an Idea module to specify the category options listed on the Idea Portal and the create an idea form.").

## What to do next

Map idea categories with your idea module. For more information see, [Configure idea categories](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/N9Rnr3z9M2ioktxXFwfH2w "Map an idea category table with an Idea module to specify the category options listed on the Idea Portal and the create an idea form.").
**Previous topic:** [Create an Idea module](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/wV8Guw8AqNGR4kbEGn13Kg "An Idea module defines the ideas and categories that are displayed in the Idea Portal. Create an Idea module to store and group ideas, and define categories based on product, department, or business unit.")  
**Next topic:** [Adding Idea Portal to Employee Center](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/63v1innKO7Aj9MVXJILY1Q "Improve engagement experience for your employees by enabling navigation to Idea Portal from Employee Center.")

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