--- title: "Prep Categories" slug: "prep-categories" description: "Create and assign Prep Categories to recipe items to organize prep planning and improve prep sheet reporting." updated: 2026-02-27T16:07:43Z published: 2026-02-27T16:07:43Z canonical: "docs.restaurant365.com/prep-categories" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.restaurant365.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Prep Categories When the **Prep** toggle on the [Purchased Item Record](/doc/docs/purchased-item-record-overview-security) is toggled **on**, or the Prep Sheet checkbox is **checked** on the [Recipe form](/doc/docs/recipe-item-record), the item will be available on the [Prep Sheet](/doc/docs/prep-sheet). The Prep Sheet gives restaurants suggestions for prep, including what to prep and how much to prep. All items on the Prep Sheet are sorted into **Prep Categories**. When a purchased item or recipe is added to the prep sheet, users should select a **prep category** for the item. Users can select from R365 default prep categories or create customized prep categories. From the new Prep Settings sheet, users with the appropriate permissions can add, edit, and manage prep categories. > These prep categories are related to the **Prep Sheet report** and **not** Prep Logs or Advanced Prep *(in beta)*. --- ## **Security** **Prep Settings permissions are found in the permission tree as follows:** - Food - Prep - Prep Settings - **Prep Categories** - View Prep Categories - Edit Prep Categories These permissions can be added to [custom user roles](https://restaurant365.us.document360.io/doc/docs/custom-user-roles) or [individual users](https://restaurant365.us.document360.io/doc/docs/users-overview-and-security). The [Permission Access report](https://restaurant365.us.document360.io/doc/docs/generating-a-permissions-access-report) can be used to determine which user roles or users already have these permissions assigned. For more information, see [User Setup and Security](/doc/docs/user-setup-security-and-location-access). --- ## **Navigation** The Prep Categories sheet can be opened from both the Purchased Item Record and the Recipe Record. ### **Purchased Item Record** Users can assign a prep category to a purchased item from the Prep section of the [Purchased Item Record: Settings Tab](/doc/docs/purchased-item-record-settings-tab). *Click steps to expand for additional information and images.* **1) Open the desired purchased item record and navigate to the **Settings** tab.** ![A white rectangular object with black text Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-zof3jbnx.png) **2) **Toggle on** the **Prep** section to open the item's Prep fields.** ![A blue pin with white text Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-a39tqg4p.png) **3) Click the **Prep Category field** to open the field menu.** ![A blue pin with white text Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-a39tqg4p.png) **4) From the list, click **Manage Categories**.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-gnr76nzv.png) **5) The Prep Settings will open as a sidesheet.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-ewfewnr9.png) ## **Recipe Item Record** Users can assign a prep category to a specific item from the Prep section of the **classic** [recipe form's Recipe tab](/doc/docs/recipe-item-record). *Click steps to expand for additional information and images.* **1) Open the desired recipe form and navigate to the **Recipe** tab.** ![A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-u442r1jy.png) **2) Check the **Prep Sheet** checkbox to open the item’s Prep fields.** ![A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-m7c41w4i.png) **3) Click the **Prep Category** field name **hyperlink**.** ![A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-m7c41w4i.png) The Prep Settings sheet will open as a pop out in the center of the page. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-54qfheq6.png) --- ## **Prep Settings Sidesheet** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-l90whmck.png) | | **Field** | **Description** | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Show Inactive Toggle | When toggled **on**, all prep categories will show on the list, including those that are marked as inactive. When toggled **off**, only **active** prep categories will appear on the list. | | 2 | + Add Category | Creates a new prep category. This will open an empty field on the list, where users can enter the name of their desired prep category. ![A blue rectangle with black lines Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-gyf9yuub.png) | | 3 | Prep Category Name | The name of the prep categories sorted in alphabetical order. Clicking a created prep category name will enable in-grid edits. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-8lr42cyv.png) ***Note***: Only user-created categories can be edited. R365's default prep categories cannot be changed. | | 4 | Active Toggle | Activates or deactivates the prep category. When toggled **on**, the selected prep category will be available for selection on Prep Items and Prep Recipes. When toggled **off**, the selected prep category will **not** be available as a category selection. | | 5 | Delete | Deletes the prep category from the list. | | 6 | Add Category | Creates a new prep category. This will open an empty field on the list, where users can enter the name of their desired prep category. ![A blue rectangle with black lines Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/prep-categories-image-xk3epqwm.png) | Once a category has been created in Prep Settings and marked as **active**, it will appear as a selection in the Prep Category selection menus on the Purchased Item Record and the Recipe Record. Restaurant365 Access rights granted to users or user roles that dictate what actions they can perform within the system.