Text Field

What is the Text Field?

The Text Field allows customers to enter short text input directly on your WooCommerce product page. This field type is essential for any product that requires personalization – from engraved jewelry to custom printed t-shirts, monogrammed gifts to personalized signs.

Unlike the standard WooCommerce product fields, WPActPro’s Text Field includes advanced features that give you complete control over customer input:

  • Character Limits: Set minimum and maximum character counts
  • Validation Rules: Restrict input to letters only, numbers only, or specific patterns
  • Flexible Pricing: Charge a flat fee, per-character rate, or use custom formulas
  • Real-Time Feedback: Show remaining characters and price updates instantly

Whether you’re selling personalized jewelry, custom apparel, or any product that needs text customization, the Text Field provides everything you need.

The Text Field is one of the most versatile options in the WPActPro plugin suite. It bridges the gap between standard product options and fully customized orders, enabling store owners to offer personalized products without the complexity of custom development.

Why Use a Text Field?

  • Customization: Allows customers to personalize their orders with custom text
  • Information Collection: Gather specific details like names, messages, or instructions
  • Flexible Pricing: Charge based on text length, word count, or custom formulas
  • User-Friendly: Simple and familiar input method for customers
  • Validation: Can be restricted to specific formats (email, URL, numbers, etc.)
  • Custom names or initials: Perfect for personalized products like gifts, apparel, and accessories where customers want to add their own name or initials.
  • Engraving instructions: Allow customers to specify what they want engraved on jewelry, plaques, trophies, or custom metal/wood items.
  • Short messages: Ideal for greeting cards, gift boxes, personalized notes, or any product requiring short custom text.
  • Personal notes: This is useful for customers who want to add a private message, dedication, or custom request during their purchase.
  • Product detail customization: Let customers enter custom values, labels, identifiers, or any text-based detail needed to tailor the product.
  • Gift messages: Enable customers to include a heartfelt message when purchasing items as gifts.
  • Order instructions: Provide a space for special requests, handling instructions, or customization notes related to the order.

WPActPro makes it easy to collect text input and control how it impacts pricing, validation, and the final order..

  • For numeric input such as quantities or measurements, try our Number Field
  • When you want customers to choose a single option, use our Select Field
  • For situations where multiple selections are needed, the Multiselect Field is the best choice.
  • To offer simple yes/no or on/off choices, use our Checkbox Field
  • And when paragraph-style input is required, try our Textarea Field

When to Use the Text Field

The Text Field is perfect for these product types:

Personalized Jewelry

  • Engraving on rings, bracelets, necklaces
  • Custom messages on lockets
  • Monogram initials on pendants
  • Date inscriptions on anniversary pieces

Jewelry stores benefit from text fields because personalization significantly increases the perceived value of products. Customers are willing to pay premium prices for items that carry personal meaning.

Custom Apparel

  • Names on sports jerseys
  • Custom text on t-shirts
  • Personalized embroidery on hats
  • Team names on uniforms

Apparel businesses use text fields to offer customization that differentiates their products from mass-produced alternatives. This is especially valuable for sports teams, corporate events, and special occasions.

Gifts & Keepsakes

  • Gift messages on cards
  • Names on photo frames
  • Dedication text on awards/trophies
  • Custom inscriptions on plaques

Gift shops and specialty retailers use text fields to add emotional value to their products. A simple photo frame becomes a meaningful gift when it includes a personalized message.

Signs & Prints

  • Custom text for banners
  • Personalized door signs
  • Name plates and labels
  • Business signage

Print shops and sign makers rely on text fields to collect customer specifications efficiently. This eliminates the need for separate quote requests and streamlines the ordering process.

How to Set Up the Text Field

Follow these step-by-step instructions to add a Text Field to your WooCommerce products.

Step 1: Create a New Option Group

  1. In your WordPress admin, go to WooCommerce > Products > Extra Product Addons
  2. Click “Add Product Addon” or edit an existing addon
  3. Configure the addon settings:
    • Status:
      • Check the **Status** checkbox to enable the addon
      • Unchecked addons are disabled and won’t appear on product pages
      • Enable this to make your fields active
    • Name:
      • Enter a name for your addon (e.g., “Personalization Options”)
      • This name helps you identify the addon in the admin area
      • It’s not visible to customers on the frontend
    • Additional Rules:
      • Configure which products should display this addon
      • Product: Select the condition type (Product, Category, Tag, etc.)
      • Is Equal To: Choose the comparison operator
      • Value: Select specific products, categories, or other criteria
      • Use “Select All” or “Clear All” for bulk selection
      • Click “and” to add multiple conditions
      • Example: Apply to “Product” “Is Equal To” “Silver Ring” to show only on that product
    • Display Position:
      • Select where the addon fields appear on the product page
      • Options include:
        • Before Add to Cart (most common)
        • After Add to Cart
      • Choose the position that works best with your theme layout
  4. Click “Save Changes” to save your addon settings

Product addons help you organize your extra product options and apply them consistently across your store. Think of them as containers that hold multiple fields for specific products or product types.

Step 2: Add the Text Field

  1. In your option group, click “Add Field” button
  2. A new field row will appear in the “Extra Product Fields” table
  3. Configure the basic field settings:
    • Field Status:
      • Check the Field Status checkbox to enable the field
      • Unchecked fields are disabled and won’t appear on product pages
    • Field Type:
      • In the Field Type dropdown, select “Text”
      • This sets the field as a text input type
    • Field Title (Required):
      • Enter the Field Title – this is what customers see (e.g., “Engraving Text”)
      • This field is required and appears as the label above the input field
      • Make it clear and specific to guide customers
    • Field Title Option (Optional):
      • Check Field Title Option to access advanced title settings:
        • Label Class: Custom CSS class for styling the label
        • Title Type: Choose HTML tag (Label, H1-H6, Strong, Span, Div)
        • Select Color: Choose a custom color for the title text
    • Field Subtitle Option (Optional):
      • Check Field Subtitle Option to add a subtitle below the title:
        • Field Sub Title: Additional descriptive text
        • Label Class: Custom CSS class for the subtitle
        • Subtitle Type: Choose HTML tag for the subtitle
        • Select Color: Custom color for subtitle text
    • Required
      • Check the Required checkbox to make the field mandatory
        • Required fields must be filled before adding to cart
        • Optional fields allow customers to skip personalization
      • When enabled, you can customize:
        • Required Text: Custom error message (default: “Please select at least one option”)
        • Required Text Color: Color for the error message
        • Required Text Class: Custom CSS class for error styling

The field title is crucial because it’s the first thing customers see. Make it clear and specific to avoid confusion during checkout.

Step 3: Configure Field Settings

Configure these settings in the “Fields Extra Options” section:

Basic Field Options:

  • Default Value: Pre-fill the field with default text
    • Useful for common entries or promotional messages
    • Example: “Enter your name here”
    • Can be overridden by customers
  • Placeholder: Example text shown in empty field
    • Placeholders guide customers on what to enter
    • Example: “Enter up to 20 characters”
    • Use clear, concise examples
    • Disappears when customer starts typing
  • Name: Unique field name (auto-generated)
    • Used for form processing and technical purposes
    • Auto-generated as epofw_field_[number]
    • Can be customized but must remain unique
    • Not visible to customers
  • ID: Unique field identifier (auto-generated)
    • Used for CSS targeting and JavaScript
    • Auto-generated as epofw_field_[number]
    • Can be customized but must remain unique
  • Class: CSS class name (auto-generated)
    • Used for custom styling
    • Auto-generated as epofw_field_[number]
    • Can be customized for theme integration
  • Readonly Field: Check to make field read-only
    • Customers can see the value but cannot edit it
    • Useful for displaying calculated or preset values
  • Max Length: Maximum number of characters allowed
    • Prevents overly long entries that might not fit on products
    • Example: 20 for ring engraving, 50 for t-shirt text
    • Leave empty for unlimited length

Field Restriction:

  • Select what type of input is allowed:
    • Allow all: Accept any characters (default)
    • Only Text: Letters and spaces only (no numbers or special characters)
    • Only Number: Numbers only (no letters or special characters)
    • Number with decimal: Allows decimal numbers (e.g., 10.5)
    • Text and Number: Alphanumeric input (letters and numbers, no special characters)
    • Email: Validates email address format
    • URL: Validates URL format
  • Mask Value (Optional):
    • Enter a format mask for structured input:
      • Phone Number Example: (+99) 9999 99 99 99
      • Credit Card Example: 9999 9999 9999 9999
      • Date Example: 99/99/9999`
      • Helps customers enter data in the correct format automatically

Step 4: Set Up Pricing

Enable pricing for your Text Field to charge customers for personalization:

Enable Price:

  • Check the **Enable Price** checkbox
  • This reveals the pricing configuration options

Price Type:

Select your pricing model from the dropdown:

  • Fixed:
    • Add a set amount when any text is entered, regardless of length
    • Best for: Simple personalization where the cost is the same regardless of text
    • Example: Enter `5.00` for $5.00 custom engraving (regardless of text length)
    • Use case: Engraving services where setup cost is the main factor
  • Percentage of Product Price:
    • Add a percentage of the base product price
    • Best for: Premium products where personalization adds proportional value
    • Example: Enter `10` for 10% of product price
    • Use case: High-value items where personalization is a percentage of total value
  • Price Per Char:
    • Charge based on the number of characters entered (includes spaces)
    • Best for: Products where longer text requires more materials or time
    • Example: Enter `0.50` for $0.50 per character (10 characters = $5.00)
    • Use case: Banner printing where material cost scales with text length
  • Price Per Char(Ignore Space):
    • Charge per character but exclude spaces from the count
    • Best for: When spaces shouldn’t affect pricing
    • Example: Enter `0.75` for $0.75 per character (ignoring spaces)
    • Use case: Engraving where spaces don’t require additional material
  • Price Per Word:
    • Charge based on the number of words entered
    • Best for: When pricing should be based on word count
    • Example: Enter `2.00` for $2.00 per word
    • Use case: Custom messages where each word has a fixed cost
  • Custom Price Formula:
    • Create custom calculations using formulas for complex pricing scenarios
    • Best for: Advanced pricing that combines multiple factors
    • Available Shortcodes:
    • {qty} – Product quantity
    • {ppc} – Price per character (with spaces)
    • {ppcis} – Price per character (ignore spaces)
    • {ppw} – Price per word
    • Formula Examples:
    • {ppc}*10 – Multiply character count by 10
    • {ppc}>=2?10:20 – If characters >= 2, add $10, otherwise $20
    • {ppc}>=2?[{ppc}*10]:[{ppc}*20] – Conditional pricing with calculations
    • Use case: Complex pricing models that need base fees plus per-character rates
  • Price Input:
    • Enter the price amount in the Price field
    • Format: Enter numbers only (e.g., 5.00 for $5.00)
    • The amount applies based on the selected Price Type
  • Pricing Tips:
    • Test your pricing with real examples before going live
    • Consider your profit margins when setting per-character rates
    • Fixed pricing is simpler for customers to understand
    • Per-character pricing works best when costs scale with text length
    • Custom formulas offer maximum flexibility for complex scenarios
  • Enable Quantity (Optional):
    • If you want customers to be able to adjust the quantity of this addon field:
      • Check the **Enable Quantity** checkbox
      • Configure quantity options:
        • Product Quantity:
          • Check to sync addon quantity with product quantity
          • When enabled, addon quantity automatically matches the product quantity
          • Useful when personalization is tied to product quantity
        • Default Quantity:
          • Set the starting quantity for the addon field
          • Example: Set to `1` so field starts with quantity of 1
          • Only applies if “Product Quantity” is unchecked
        • Min Quantity:
          • Set the minimum quantity customers can select
          • Example: Set to `1` to require at least 1 personalization
          • Leave empty for no minimum
        • Max Quantity
          • Set the maximum quantity customers can select
          • Example: Set to `5` to limit personalizations per order
          • Leave empty for no maximum
        • Quantity Use Cases:
          • Multiple engravings on the same product
          • Bulk personalization orders
          • Quantity-based pricing for addons

Step 5: Save and Test

  1. Click **“Publish”** or **“Update”** to save your option group
  2. Visit the product page on your store’s frontend
  3. Enter test text in the field
  4. Verify the price updates correctly in real-time
  5. Add to cart and check the cart displays the custom text
  6. Complete a test order to ensure the text appears in order details

Testing Checklist:

  • Field appears on the correct products
  • Label and description display correctly
  • Character limits work (min/max)
  • Validation rules enforce correctly
  • Price calculates accurately
  • Text appears in cart
  • Text appears in checkout
  • Text appears in order confirmation email
  • Text appears in admin order details

Pricing Examples

Here are real-world pricing examples to help you understand how different pricing models work:

Example 1: Flat Fee Engraving

  • Product: Silver Bracelet ($49.99)
  • Field Label: “Add Engraving”
  • Pricing Type: Fixed
  • Price: $8.00
  • Customer Experience:
    • Customer enters any text (e.g., “Forever Yours”), and the price becomes $57.99 total.
  • Why This Works:
    • The engraving process has a fixed setup cost regardless of text length. This pricing model is simple for customers to understand and predictable for your business.

Example 2: Flat Fee Engraving

  • Product: Custom Banner ($25.00)
  • Field Label: “Banner Text”
  • Pricing Type: Per Character
  • Price: $1.00 per character
  • Customer Experience:
    • Customer types “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” (13 characters). Calculation: 13 × $1.00 = $13.00 extra. Total: $25 + $13 = $38.00
  • Why This Works:
    • Longer text requires more materials and printing time. Per-character pricing ensures you’re compensated fairly for longer messages.

Example 3: Formula Pricing

  • Product: Trophy Plaque ($35.00)
  • Field Label: “Recipient Name & Title”
  • Pricing Type: Formula
  • Price: ({character_count} * 0.50) + 5
  • Customer Experience:
    • Customer types “John Smith – Employee of the Year” (35 characters). Calculation: (35 × $0.50) + $5 = $22.50 extra. Total: $35 + $22.50 = $57.50
  • Why This Works:
    • This combines a base setup fee ($5) with per-character pricing ($0.50). The base fee covers initial setup costs, while the per-character rate covers variable costs.

Example 4: Percentage-Based Pricing

  • Product: Luxury Watch ($299.99)
  • Field Label: “Custom Engraving”
  • Pricing Type: Percentage
  • Price: 15% of product price
  • Customer Experience:
    • Base price: $299.99. Personalization: 15% = $45.00. Total: $344.99
  • Why This Works:
    • For high-value items, percentage-based pricing ensures personalization scales with product value. Customers understand that premium products have premium personalization costs.

Real-World Pricing Examples

See how real businesses use the Text Field in their WooCommerce stores:

Custom Engraving with Price Per Character

Set up a text field with:

  • Field Type: Text
  • Price Type: Price Per Char
  • Price: $0.20

When a customer enters “Happy Birthday Mom”, the price automatically adds $3.20 to the base product price (16 characters × $0.20).


Set up a text field with:

  • Field Type: Text
  • Formula: {ppw}*2+10

This means:

  • $2 per word plus a $10 base fee
  • “Roses are red” (3 words) = $16 added ($2 × 3 + $10)
  • “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day” (8 words) = $26 added ($2 × 8 + $10)

Custom Poetry with Base Fee + Word Count


Business Cards with Character-Based Pricing

Set up a text field with:

  • Field Type: Text
  • Price Type: Price Per Char(Ignore Space)
  • Price: $0.15

This means:

  • Each character costs $0.15 (spaces don’t count)
  • “John Smith” (9 characters, 1 space) = $1.35 added
  • “Marketing Director” (16 characters, 1 space) = $2.25 added

Set up a text field with:

  • Field Type: Text
  • Formula: {ppc}<=10?{ppc}*0.5:{ppc}*0.3

This means:

  • First 10 characters: $0.50 each
  • Additional characters: $0.30 each
  • “Hello” (5 characters) = $2.50 added ($0.50 × 5)
  • “Welcome to our store” (19 characters) = $7.70 added ($0.50 × 10 + $0.30 × 9)

Custom T-Shirt Text with Volume Discount


Wedding Invitations with Premium Pricing

Set up a text field with:

  • Field Type: Text
  • Formula: {ppw}*5+15

This means:

  • $5 per word plus a $15 premium fee
  • “You are cordially invited” (4 words) = $35 added ($5 × 4 + $15)
  • “Please join us for our special day” (7 words) = $50 added ($5 × 7 + $15)

Set up a text field with:

  • Field Type: Text
  • Formula: {ppc}*0.25+5

This means:

  • $0.25 per character plus a $5 setup fee
  • “JS” (2 characters) = $5.50 added ($0.25 × 2 + $5)
  • “JMS” (3 characters) = $5.75 added ($0.25 × 3 + $5)

Custom Monograms with Fixed + Character Pricing


Professional Headlines with Word Count Tiers

Set up a text field with:

  • Field Type: Text
  • Formula: {ppw}<=5?{ppw}*3:{ppw}<=10?{ppw}*2.5:{ppw}*2

This means:

  • 1-5 words: $3 per word
  • 6-10 words: $2.50 per word
  • 11+ words: $2 per word
  • “Professional” (1 word) = $3 added
  • “Experienced marketing professional” (3 words) = $9 added
  • “Senior marketing director with ten years experience” (7 words) = $17.50 added

Field Restrictions

Field restrictions help ensure inputs remain valid and consistent. For instance, you can limit the number of characters, set minimum text length, or restrict input to specific formats. Defining allowed characters prevents errors and maintains data quality, helping customers receive clear guidance while submitting correct and usable information.

  1. None: No restrictions, accepts any text
  2. Email: Only valid email addresses
  3. URL: Only valid URLs
  4. Number: Only numeric values
  5. Phone: Phone number format
  6. Date: Date format
  7. Time: Time format
  8. Custom: Custom regex pattern

What Your Customers See

Customers interact with a clean and simple input box that adapts based on rules you configure. For example, they see placeholder text, character counters, and error messages when needed. Conditional visibility ensures the field appears only when relevant, keeping the customer experience smooth, intuitive, and focused.

  1. They’ll see a text input box with your specified placeholder text
  2. As they type, the product price updates automatically (if pricing is enabled)
  3. The field validates input based on your restrictions
  4. When added to cart, the entered text and calculated price are included
  5. Required fields show validation messages if left empty

Tips for Creating Effective Text Fields

Creating an effective Text Field involves balancing flexibility with control. Consider using placeholders to guide customer input, apply character limits to prevent overly long or invalid entries, and use validation rules when you require specific formats such as email, order IDs, or patterns. These techniques reduce errors and improve checkout efficiency.

  • Clear Instructions: Use descriptive labels and placeholder text
  • Appropriate Restrictions: Choose field restrictions that match your needs
  • Reasonable Pricing: Set pricing that reflects the value of customization
  • Character Limits: Consider adding maxlength for very long text
  • Test Validation: Ensure your field restrictions work as expected

Advanced Features

  • Readonly Fields: Display information without allowing edits
  • Default Values: Pre-fill fields with common text
  • Custom CSS Classes: Style fields to match your theme
  • Conditional Logic: Show/hide fields based on other selections
  • File Upload Integration: Combine with file uploads for complete customization

By using text fields with thoughtful pricing strategies, you can create flexible product options that adapt to customer needs while ensuring your pricing remains profitable and fair.

Conclusion

Text Fields offer unmatched flexibility for personalization and product customization. Their versatility makes them work well for engraving, labeling, gift messages, instructions, and more. Pricing rules, validation options, and conditional logic make the Text Field suitable for nearly any business model, enhancing both product accuracy and customer satisfaction.

With WPActPro, creating dynamic, flexible, and professional text-based customizations becomes effortless.

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