[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #64988: Enhancement: Add support for displaying child categories in Navigation “Category Link” block (dropdown support)

[WordPress Trac]

#64988: Enhancement: Add support for displaying child categories in Navigation
“Category Link” block (dropdown support)
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 Reporter:  wpsharif     |      Owner:  (none)
     Type:  enhancement  |     Status:  new
 Priority:  normal       |  Milestone:  Awaiting Review
Component:  General      |    Version:  6.9.4
 Severity:  normal       |   Keywords:
  Focuses:               |
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 Currently, the Navigation block includes a “Category Link” block that
 allows selecting a specific category and linking to its archive page.

 However, unlike the Page List block (which supports hierarchical
 parent–child page structures with dropdowns), the Category Link block does
 not provide any option to display child categories when the selected
 category has children.

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 ### Problem
 When a parent category is selected:
 - Only the parent category is shown in the navigation
 - Child categories are not displayed as a dropdown/submenu
 - No control exists to enable hierarchical category navigation

 ---

 ### Expected Behavior
 Add a control in the Category Link block settings to:
 - Enable/disable displaying child categories
 - Automatically render child categories as a nested submenu (dropdown)
 - Respect category hierarchy similar to the Page List block

 ---

 ### Suggested Enhancements
 - Add a toggle option:
   - `Display child categories`
 - Optional improvements:
   - Depth control (limit levels)
   - Sorting options (name, count, etc.)

 ---

 ### Benefits
 - Improves consistency with Page List block behavior
 - Enhances UX for hierarchical taxonomies
 - Reduces need for custom code or manual menus
 - Useful for blogs, WooCommerce stores, and taxonomy-heavy sites

 ---

 ### Additional Context
 This enhancement would make category navigation more flexible and align it
 with existing hierarchical navigation patterns in WordPress.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/64988>
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