Topics And Subtopics

Topics and Subtopics let learners filter and search the Content Library by subject and job role. Covers enabling the feature and attaching topics to courses and learning paths. Questions this answers: Why isn't a new topic showing in the learner Content Library? Why does selecting a topic return no courses in the Content Library?

Sep 26, 2026
Knowledge

Title

Last Updated

1/27/2026

URL Name

topics-and-subtopics

Product

Litmos

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The Topics and Subtopics feature in the Content Library allows Learners to search for Courses and Learning Paths relevant to them and their job role.

Enable Topics & Subtopics

To enable this feature, Account Owners will navigate to Account settings,>Litmos Features,>Topics & Subtopics
Select "Add Topic"

Give the Topic a name and select "Save."

To create subtopics, select the "Add Subtopic" link under the Topic or Subtopic

NOTE: Topics and their Subtopics will be listed alphabetically.

To attach Topics & Subtopics to a Course or Learning Path

Once Topics & Subtopics are created by theS Account Owner, they can be attached to a Course or Learning Path from the Settings tab:

Navigate to the Course or Learning Path Settings
In the 'Topics/ Subtopics' section, select "Add Topics"

Expand and collapse Topics by selecting the + or -
Select "Add"
Select the X to remove the Topic or Subtopic
Topics can also be added by Bulk Course Import

NOTE: Courses and Learning Paths will only appear in a Topic or Subtopic in Learner View if they have been specifically categorized for that Topic. If a Subtopic has been chosen, the Course or Learning Path will not automatically inherit the parent Topic. Topics & Subtopics will only appear on Learner View if a Learner has access to a Course or Learning Path with that Topic or Subtopic.

Topics & Subtopic Best Practices

Plan out the structure of the Topics & Subtopics before building them. This helps prevent unorganized structures, unnecessary topics, or the need to rebuild the structure

Using Topics without Subtopics is an acceptable and sometimes preferable structure. Forcing Subtopics when not necessary may cause confusion for Learners.

Course or Learning Path settings must be set so that the item is available in the Content Library for it to display to the Learner.

If a Subtopic has been added to a Course or Learning Path, it may make sense to add the Parent Topic as well.

Bulk Upload Topic & Subtopic Images

Overview

The Bulk Upload Topic Images feature allows Administrators to update images for multiple Course and Learning Path topics (including subtopics) at the same time. This reduces manual effort and helps maintain consistent branding across learning content.

NOTE: If this option is not visible, please contact your Customer Success Manager to enable the required feature flag.

How to Bulk Upload Topic Images

Navigate to Account Settings > Litmos Features > Topics/Subtopics, select Bulk Add Images

The Unsplash library will display recommended images to associate with each topic in groups of 50 on each page.

You can choose which images to keep by checking the box or you can change a suggested image by selecting Change Image and search for a replacement image
Use the light/dark toggle to adjust how the Topic title displays at the bottom of the image. The default is dark
Select Save and Continue to save chosen images and move to the next page if there are more than 50 topics
Select Save