[GIS] How to create one shapefile with categories

Question

In my QGIS 2.12.3 I want to create shapefiles of different lakes. I know how to do it one by one and this way, each lake gets a different color. But it should also be possible to create one (Over)-layer with all the lakes and their names below it so that I just have to click and all the lakes appear to disappear at once.

How can I create one shapefile with categories?

Answer 1

Just Add Features in your lake shapefile, you should be able to add as many Lakes as you want in the shapefile, add the attributes of the lakes as required (either on first creating the shapefile or later on by editing the attribute table)

You can assign names to the lakes or categorize them anyway you want by adding an column in the attribute table (By right clicking you shapefile, going to properties then Field and add new column) Assign the lakes different colors just categorize them using that column.