> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.usebila.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manage Product Visibility

> Learn how to show or hide products on your storefront without deleting them from your Bila dashboard.

Show or hide products on your storefront without deleting them — all details, pricing, and stock data are preserved.

<Info>
  Only admins with **Merchant Admin** roles can change product visibility.
</Info>

***

## Watch: Managing Product Visibility

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/scoI7mohak8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen />

***

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

* Admin access to your Bila dashboard
* At least one product already added to your catalogue

***

## Step 1: Check Current Visibility Status

In the left sidebar, navigate to **Product Store → Products**.

Each product displays its current visibility state in the **Status** column:

| Status     | What It Means                                                                  |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `ACTIVE`   | The product is live — visible to customers and available for purchase          |
| `INACTIVE` | The product is hidden from customers but remains fully saved in your dashboard |

***

## Step 2: Open Product Settings

1. Locate the product you want to update — e.g. `Vanguard Elite – Men's Watch`.
2. Click the options menu **`...`** on the far right of the product row.
3. Select **Edit Product** from the dropdown.

***

## Step 3: Toggle Visibility

Inside the product editor, locate the **Visibility** section on the right side of the screen.

1. Click the **Active Status** toggle to switch it **ON** or **OFF**.
2. The helper text below the toggle will confirm the product's new visibility state.

| Toggle State | Customer Experience                                                  |
| ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **ON**       | Product is visible on your storefront and available for checkout     |
| **OFF**      | Product is hidden from your storefront — cannot be seen or purchased |

<Info>
  Toggling a product to **Inactive** does not delete it. All product details, pricing, images, and stock data are preserved. You can reactivate it at any time by returning to this toggle.
</Info>

***

## Step 4: Save Your Changes

1. Click **Save Changes** at the top of the editor.

**Confirmation:** A green toast notification will appear — *"Product updated successfully."*

The product's **Status** column in your Products list will update immediately to reflect the new visibility state.

***

## Step 5: Verify on Your Storefront

Confirm the change is live by previewing your public store:

1. Navigate to **Product Store → Store Settings**.
2. Click the orange **View Store** button to open your public catalogue in a new tab.
3. Confirm the product no longer appears in the product grid.

<Tip>
  Customers can still search for other available products using the **Search in store** bar on your storefront — hiding one product does not affect the visibility of others.
</Tip>

***

## Visibility Management Reference

Use this as a quick guide for common scenarios where visibility changes are needed:

| Situation                             | Recommended Action                                                             |
| ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Product is out of stock               | Set to `INACTIVE` to prevent orders you cannot fulfil                          |
| Running a limited-time sale           | Set to `ACTIVE` when the promotion starts, `INACTIVE` when it ends             |
| Product is being updated or repriced  | Set to `INACTIVE` while editing, reactivate when ready                         |
| Seasonal item not currently available | Set to `INACTIVE` — reactivate when back in season without re-entering details |
| New product not yet ready to launch   | Save with `INACTIVE` status and activate on your chosen launch date            |

***

## Troubleshooting

| Issue                                            | What to Do                                                                                                   |
| ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Product still appears on storefront after hiding | Confirm you clicked **Save Changes** and received the green toast — hard-refresh your storefront preview tab |
| Toggle is greyed out and cannot be changed       | Confirm your admin role has edit permissions — View Only admins cannot change product visibility             |
| Product was hidden but orders still came in      | Check the order timestamps — orders placed before the visibility change are valid and should be fulfilled    |

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Update Price and Stock" icon="tag" href="/updating-price-and-stock">
    Adjust pricing and inventory levels for any product in your catalogue.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manage Orders" icon="list-check" href="/managing-orders">
    Review and fulfil customer orders from your Orders dashboard.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>