Vertical dropdown categories menu

This module creates a block with categories. If you will hover mouse over the category that has subcategories - module will display these subcategories with "dropdown" effect. It's great way to build fancy categories menu window.

This free PrestaShop module automatically generates a dynamic, vertical dropdown categories menu, significantly enhancing store navigation. It features an elegant dropdown effect for subcategories, appearing seamlessly on hover. Users can extensively customize the menu by defining the root category, controlling the maximum display depth of subcategories, and enabling or disabling engaging animations for appearance. Furthermore, categories can be sorted efficiently by name or position in ascending or descending order, offering precise control over the menu's presentation and overall user experience. This module is an essential tool for achieving organized and visually appealing product categorization within your online store.

Why a simple category list isn’t enough Customers expect to see your catalog structure at a glance. A long flat list of categories is hard to scan; a tree with nested subcategories that only appear when needed keeps the sidebar clean and still shows the full hierarchy. That’s exactly what a vertical dropdown categories menu does: main categories in a column, and when the visitor hovers over one that has children, a submenu drops in with a smooth animation.

PrestaShop doesn’t ship this behaviour by default. You get a block that either shows everything expanded (noisy) or a static list. Vertical Block Categories fills the gap. The block is built automatically from your real category tree. You don’t edit menu items by hand—you choose which category is the root of the block, how deep the tree goes, whether submenus are animated, and how categories are sorted. The result is a professional, easy-to-use navigation that fits any theme.

On category pages the block can show the current category (or its parent) as the root, so the visitor always sees the relevant branch. On the product page it uses the product’s default category. Optional category thumbnails next to names make the menu even clearer. One module, full control from the Back Office.

Features in detail Category root: You decide which category is the root of the tree displayed in the block. Home category always shows from the shop root. Current category uses the category the visitor is browsing (or last visited). Parent category shows the parent of the current one. Current unless no subcategories then parent—so the block never looks empty. Perfect for category and product pages. Maximum depth & dynamic mode: Maximum depth defines how many sublevels are shown in the block (0 = infinite). Deeper categories remain on their category page but are hidden from this menu—you keep the sidebar compact. Dynamic turns on animated dropdowns: submenus appear with a smooth transition instead of popping in. You can disable it for a simpler, instant open. Both options are in Settings. Sort, order & menu thumbnails: Sort: by name or by position (Back Office category order). Sort order: ascending or descending. So you control the exact order of categories in the block. Show menu picture thumb: when enabled, if a category has an associated thumbnail image (id_category-thumb.jpg in the theme category images folder), it appears in the menu next to the category name—great for visual navigation. One screen to configure everything All options are in a single Settings form: Category root, Maximum depth, Dynamic (animated dropdowns), Show menu picture thumb, Sort (name/position), and Sort order (ascending/descending). Save once and the block updates on the front. The module also includes the MyPresta update checker so you can see when a new version is available. Need more than one category block? There’s a link to the “Multiple categories blocks” module for unlimited blocks.