# Activate Category Filters

In most views, you can select a Category Filter to restrict which elements are displayed. You can also filter by more than one Category at a time.

##

The Category Filters are selected in the toolbar of the SMC Client. You can create a custom Category Filter containing any combination of Categories. For example, you can combine a Category for a particular geographic location and a Category for critical servers. This custom Category Filter combination only displays elements related to the critical servers at one location. The Category Filter is applied in all views.

Note: The selected Category Filter is applied in all views until you select a different Category Filter or Category Filter Not Used.

For more details about the product and how to configure features, click Help or press F1.

## Steps

1. If the Category Filter selection is not visible in the toolbar, select Menu > View > Layout > Category Filter Toolbar.
2. Select an existing Category.
   - If the Category you want to use is not listed, select Select, select the Category, then click Select.
   - To display the elements that do not belong to any Category, select the Not Categorized filter.
   - To display the predefined system elements, select the System Elements filter.

## Result

Only the elements that belong to the selected Category are displayed. To display all elements again, select Category Filter Not Used.