Understanding Hiding Options in Mimeeq Configurators

Overview

Mimeeq configurators provide flexible hiding functionality that allows you to control which options are visible to users and which appear in specifications. Understanding when and how to use these features is crucial for creating effective product configurations.

Two Types of Hiding Options

The Mimeeq platform offers two distinct hiding mechanisms:

1. Hide in the Option Panel

This option removes the element from the user interface, making it invisible to customers during configuration.

2. Hide on Specification

This option prevents the element from appearing in generated specifications, PDFs, or baskets while keeping it functional within the configurator.

When to Use Each Hiding Method

Scenario 1: Complete Removal from User Experience

When to use: When you don't need a block to appear in either the option panel or specifications.

Best practice: Don't add the option to any group at all. This is the simplest solution and prevents the element from appearing anywhere in the user experience.

Use cases:

• Discontinued options
• Internal testing elements
• Temporary configurations

Scenario 2: Hidden Logic Control

When to use: When you need to control something "under the hood" with hidden logic that affects other configuration elements.

Configuration: Don't add the option to any group.

Use cases:

• Animation tracking
• Opening/closing mechanisms
• Logic-related fields that influence other options
• Background calculations

Scenario 3: Specification Visibility Without User Control

When to use: When you want an option to appear in specifications but don't want users to directly control it through the interface.

Configuration:

• Add the option to a group
• Enable "Hide in option panel"
• Disable "Hide on specification"

Use cases:

• Rule-controlled options
• Dynamic size changes
• Automatically calculated dimensions
• System-generated specifications

Scenario 4: Hidden Options for Pricing and Complex Logic

When to use: When you need hidden options that can be referenced by rules to control pricing, calculations, or other configuration elements.

Configuration: Don't add the option to any group.

Use cases:

• Pricing modifiers and calculations
• Complex cost adjustments based on multiple factors
• Hidden variables that influence other visible options
• Background calculations for quotes and estimates
• Material cost tracking
• Labor time calculations

Configuration Instructions

For Hidden Logic Control (Scenarios 2 & 4)

1. Create your option/block
2. Do not add it to any group
3. Set up your rules or logic to reference this hidden element
4. The element will not appear in either the option panel or specifications

Note: These hidden options are particularly powerful for pricing logic, where you can create complex cost calculations based on multiple user selections without exposing the calculation details to customers.

For Specification-Only Visibility (Scenario 3)

1. Create your option/block
2. Add it to the appropriate group
3. In the option settings, enable "Hide in option panel"
4. Ensure "Hide on specification" is disabled
5. Configure rules to control the option's behavior

Technical Implementation

Group Assignment Impact

• Added to group + hidden from option panel: Will appear in specifications
• Not added to any group: Will not appear in either location
• Added to group + visible in option panel: Standard user-controllable option

Rule Integration

Hidden options can still be controlled by rules and can influence other configuration elements, making them powerful tools for complex product logic.

Best Practices

1. Keep it simple: If an option doesn't need to appear anywhere, don't add it to a group
2. Document your logic: When using hidden options for rules, clearly document their purpose
3. Test thoroughly: Always verify that hidden options behave as expected in both the configurator and specifications
4. Consider user experience: Ensure hidden logic doesn't create confusing behavior for end users

Common Use Cases

Dynamic Product Sizing

Use hidden options to track size calculations that appear in specifications but aren't directly controlled by users.

Animation States

Track opening/closing states of products like cabinets or doors without showing these technical details to users.

Rule-Based Configurations

Create complex product rules where certain specifications are automatically determined based on user selections.

Pricing Control

Create hidden pricing modifiers that adjust costs based on multiple configuration factors without exposing the calculation complexity to customers. For example:

• Base material costs that change based on size selections
• Labor multipliers for complex configurations
• Shipping cost calculations based on dimensions and weight
• Discount applications based on order volume

Complex Cost Calculations

Use hidden options to build sophisticated pricing models that reference multiple visible selections and apply business logic transparently.

Troubleshooting

Option Not Appearing in Specifications

• Check if the option is added to a group
• Verify "Hide on specification" is disabled
• Ensure rules aren't preventing the option from being active

Option Still Visible to Users

• Confirm "Hide in option panel" is enabled
• Check if the option is properly assigned to the correct group
• Verify there are no conflicting visibility rules

Summary

Understanding Mimeeq's hiding functionality allows you to create sophisticated configurators that balance user experience with technical requirements. Choose the right hiding method based on your specific needs:

• Complete removal: Don't add to any group
• Hidden logic & pricing: Don't add to any group, use for rules and calculations
• Specification visibility: Add to group + hide from option panel

This flexibility ensures your configurators can handle complex product logic, sophisticated pricing models, and business calculations while maintaining clean, user-friendly interfaces.

Updated on: 05/07/2025