# Catalogs, categories, classifications and attributes

*Revenue Management Consultant Study Guide · Catalog Management · Last updated October 29, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/revenue-management-consultant/catalog-management/catalogs-categories-classifications-and-attributes*

How Product Catalog Management separates browsing (catalogs and categories) from product definition (attributes, attribute picklists, attribute categories and product classifications), and how to import catalog data with custom fields.

- Certification: Salesforce Revenue Management Consultant
- Exam section: Catalog Management
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/revenue-management-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Explain Catalog Management core concepts and capabilities.

## What the exam expects

- Choose between a catalog category, a product classification and an attribute category when a requirement is about browsing, attribute reuse or attribute findability.
- Design catalogs, categories and subcategories, including a product listed in several categories and a default catalog.
- Define attributes with the right data type, build attribute picklists in the right order, and narrow picklist values per classification or per product.
- Explain classification inheritance, subclassifications and product-level overrides of inherited attributes.
- Import catalog records from CSV, including custom fields, through a customized Data Processing Engine definition.

Key terms: **catalog** (products organized into categories for browsing); **category/subcategory** (navigation levels products are assigned to); **attribute** (a product characteristic defined once); **attribute category** (an optional group of attributes); **product classification** (an attribute template products inherit from).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| One product, many categories | A product can be assigned to multiple categories or subcategories | [Trailhead: Get Started with PCM](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/product-catalog-management-with-revenue-cloud/get-started-with-product-catalog-management) |
| Default catalog | Set by a Catalog Admin for all users; users can switch catalogs | [Trailhead: Categories and Attributes](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/product-catalog-management-with-revenue-cloud/create-product-categories-and-attributes) |
| Attribute data types | Text, number, date, datetime, checkbox, picklist, currency, percent | [Manage Dynamic Attributes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.product_catalog_dynamic_attributes.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Picklist order | Define the attribute picklist before creating the attribute | [Manage Dynamic Attributes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.product_catalog_dynamic_attributes.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Attribute category membership | Only active attributes; categories are optional | [Create Attribute Categories](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.product_catalog_dyn_create_attribute_categories.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Unassigning from a category | Remove the combination from classifications and products first | [Create Attribute Categories](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.product_catalog_dyn_create_attribute_categories.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Classification hierarchy | Up to three levels; up to five child nodes per parent at a level | [Product Classifications](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.product_catalog_product_classifications.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| CSV custom fields | Save as a copy of the DPE template, map source fields, activate | [CSV Data Import](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ind.product_catalog_data_import_by_using_csv_files.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| CSV header length | Column header name can't exceed 35 characters | [CSV Data Import](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ind.product_catalog_data_import_by_using_csv_files.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- When is a classification hierarchy too wide?
- Why is an attribute category optional?
- How long can a column header be in a CSV catalog import?
- Which attribute data type fits a yes-or-no characteristic such as whether installation is included?
- What happens to picklist values on a classification attribute you have not changed?

## Sources

- [Build Your Product Catalog in Revenue Management](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.product_catalog_introduction.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Create Product Templates Using Product Classifications](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.product_catalog_product_classifications.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Manage Dynamic Attributes in Revenue Management](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.product_catalog_dynamic_attributes.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Create Attribute Categories in Revenue Management](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.product_catalog_dyn_create_attribute_categories.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Data Import Through CSV Files in Product Catalog Management](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ind.product_catalog_data_import_by_using_csv_files.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Create Products and Product Bundles in Revenue Management](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ind.product_catalog_products.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Trailhead: Create Product Categories and Attributes](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/product-catalog-management-with-revenue-cloud/create-product-categories-and-attributes)
- [Trailhead: Get Started with Product Catalog Management](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/product-catalog-management-with-revenue-cloud/get-started-with-product-catalog-management)
- [Trailhead: Set Up Your Product Offerings](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/revenue-cloud-design/set-up-your-product-offerings)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 12 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Revenue Management Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams