Field Types
Textarea Field
Textarea field for multi-line messages, instructions, or special requests.
When to use
- Long gift messages
- Special delivery or production instructions
- Custom notes that need more than one line
The gift-message textarea on the Personalized Candle Gift Set demo product — captured on the live Smart Add-Ons demo store.
Settings reference
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Field label | The title customers see above the text box. |
| Placeholder | Hint text shown inside the empty text box. |
| Description | Optional help text shown below the field label on the product page. |
| Required field | Customers must enter text before adding the product to cart. |
| Validation rules | Minimum length, Maximum length, Format (Any text, Email address, Whole number, Number with decimals) and an optional Custom pattern (regex). |
| Price type | Fixed amount, Percentage of product price, or Formula (Pro plans). The price is applied when the customer enters any text. See Pricing. |
| Quantity pricing | Per product quantity multiplies the price by the quantity ordered. Flat fee (once per line item) charges it once. |
| Min / Max product qty | Apply the add-on price only when the product quantity is in this range. Leave the maximum empty for no limit. |
| Conditional logic | Tick Enable conditional logic to show or hide this field based on another field in the same group. See Conditional logic. |
Order item meta
The entered text is stored on the order item:
Field label: "Gift message"
Value: Happy birthday!
Price: +0.00How to add a textarea field
- In WordPress, go to Smart Add-Ons → Add-On Groups and open a group, or click + Add group.
- Click + Add field.
- Enter a Field label and set Field type to Textarea.
- Optional: add a Placeholder and a Maximum length under Validation rules so messages fit your card or label.
- Under Pricing, leave the price at 0 for free notes, or enter a Fixed price charged when the customer writes a message.
- Click Save group, then open a product the group applies to and check the field.
Example: gift message on a card
A gift shop adds a textarea labelled “Gift message” with a Maximum length of 200 and a Fixed price of 2 for the printed card. The message is saved on the order line, so the packing team reads it from the order screen or the order email.
Textarea field FAQ
What is the difference between Text and Textarea?
Text is a single line, best for names and short codes. Textarea is a multi-line box for messages and instructions. Both share the same validation and pricing settings.
Is there a character limit?
Only if you set one. Use Maximum length under Validation rules; customers see an error if they go over it.
Where does the message appear after checkout?
In the cart, at checkout, in the order emails and on the admin order screen, as a line under the product.