The “Additional Information” section on the WooCommerce checkout page is where customers can leave special instructions for their order. While the default label and placeholder text might work for many stores, there are situations where you might want to customise this text to better fit your business needs.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to change the “Additional Information” text on the WooCommerce checkout page without using a plugin. Whether you want to prompt customers for specific delivery instructions, offer a personalised message field, or clarify how they should use the text area, this guide has you covered. As always, we recommend adding any custom code to a child theme to ensure your changes are safe from theme updates.
Why Customise the Additional Information Text?
Customising the “Additional Information” section allows you to:
- Improve Communication: Guide customers on how to use this section, such as providing specific delivery instructions or special requests.
- Enhance User Experience: Tailor the text to better suit your store’s personality or branding.
- Clarify Order Details: Make it clear how customers should use this field, which can help reduce confusion and improve fulfilment accuracy.
Custom Code to Change Additional Information Text on Checkout
You can customise both the label and the placeholder text of the “Additional Information” section using a simple code snippet. Add the following code to your theme’s functions.php file or, better yet, in a child theme.
Step 1: Changing the Additional Information Label and Placeholder
/*
* Snippet: How to Change the Additional Information Text on WooCommerce Checkout – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1557
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function customises the label and placeholder text for the additional information section on WooCommerce checkout"
*/
function wcsuccess_custom_checkout_additional_info( $fields ) {
// Change the label text
$fields['order']['order_comments']['label'] = __('Delivery Instructions', 'woocommerce');
// Change the placeholder text
$fields['order']['order_comments']['placeholder'] = __('Please provide any specific delivery instructions for your order.', 'woocommerce');
return $fields;
}
add_filter( 'woocommerce_checkout_fields', 'wcsuccess_custom_checkout_additional_info' );
How the Code Works
- Label: The line
$fields['order']['order_comments']['label']changes the default label from “Additional Information” to “Delivery Instructions.” You can modify the text to fit your store’s needs. - Placeholder: The line
$fields['order']['order_comments']['placeholder']changes the placeholder text to guide the customer on how to fill in this field. You can replace this with any custom message you like.
Step 2: Adding Custom Instructions or Shortcodes
If you’d like to add additional instructions or even a shortcode below the “Additional Information” section, you can use the following method:
/*
* Snippet: How to Change the Additional Information Text on WooCommerce Checkout – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1557
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function adds custom instructions or shortcodes below the additional information section on WooCommerce checkout"
*/
function wcsuccess_add_custom_instructions_below_additional_info() {
echo '<p class="custom-instructions">Need help with your order? Call us at 1800-123-456 or <a href="/contact">contact us here</a>.</p>';
// Example of a shortcode
echo do_shortcode('[your_custom_shortcode]');
}
add_action( 'woocommerce_after_order_notes', 'wcsuccess_add_custom_instructions_below_additional_info' );
How This Works
- Custom Instructions: This function allows you to display additional text below the “Additional Information” field, which could include phone numbers, links, or any other helpful information for your customers.
- Shortcode Support: You can also include dynamic content using the
do_shortcode()function, which is perfect if you need to display a custom form, promotions, or other shortcode-supported elements.
Best Use Cases for Customising the Additional Information Text
- Delivery-Specific Instructions: Prompt customers to provide delivery instructions, such as gate codes or preferred delivery times.
- Gift Messages: If your store offers gifts or gift wrapping, you could change the text to prompt customers to leave a special message for the recipient.
- Special Requests: Use the additional information section to collect other important information, like special packaging requirements or dietary preferences.
Conclusion
Customising the “Additional Information” text on the WooCommerce checkout page is a simple yet powerful way to enhance the checkout experience for your customers. Whether you’re gathering more relevant information or offering additional help, this small tweak can improve the overall user experience and streamline order fulfilment.
As always, make sure to test your changes in a staging environment before applying them to your live site. Don’t forget to use a child theme to protect your changes from theme updates. For more WooCommerce customisations, check out our WooCommerce Visual Hooks Guide and wp-config generator for further enhancements.
I have been working with WordPress and WooCommerce since 2012 and have developed a deep knowledge of the content management system. Since 2012, I have developed several plugins and designed dozens of websites utilising different frameworks, CMS’s and programming languages. I am proficient in PHP, Python, Java, C, C++, R and JavaScript with limited experience in Go, Kotlin and Swift.
Educationally, I have a Master’s degree in cyber security a Bachelor’s (Hons, First Class) in Applied Research and a Graduate Certificate in Data Science. I’m currently undertaking PhD studies investigating IoT cybersecurity. I recently graduated with First Class Honours and Masters of Information Technology, receiving the Executive Dean’s Award for studies undertaken in the 2021 and 2022 academic years. I have worked in the information technology industry for the past 11 years primarily as a software/web developer specific to design, optimisation, network management and security. My research interests are in the areas of Internet of Things (IoT), 5G and Beyond Networks, information security for wireless networks and software development.
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