# How to Edit WooCommerce `woocommerce_email_order_details`
WooCommerce’s email functionality is crucial for customer satisfaction and order management. Customizing the order details email, specifically the `woocommerce_email_order_details` hook, allows you to tailor its content to perfectly match your brand and business needs. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, providing you with the knowledge and code snippets to effectively modify this powerful WooCommerce hook.
Understanding the `woocommerce_email_order_details` Hook
The `woocommerce_email_order_details` hook is a fundamental part of WooCommerce’s email system. It’s responsible for generating the order details section within WooCommerce order emails. By using this hook, you can add, remove, or modify the information displayed to your customers. This includes details like:
- Product names and quantities: Adjust how product information is presented.
- Pricing details: Modify how prices, taxes, and discounts are displayed.
- Shipping information: Customize the presentation of shipping address and costs.
- Order totals: Control the layout and appearance of the total order summary.
Modifying this hook provides granular control over the information shared with your customers after an order is placed, improving communication and brand consistency.
Modifying the `woocommerce_email_order_details` Hook
There are several ways to modify the `woocommerce_email_order_details` hook, ranging from simple additions to complete overhauls. The best approach depends on your technical skills and the extent of changes required.
Method 1: Using a Child Theme (Recommended)
This method is the safest and most sustainable approach. Creating a child theme prevents your customizations from being overwritten during WooCommerce updates.
1. Create a Child Theme: If you haven’t already, create a child theme for your WooCommerce installation. This is crucial for maintaining your customizations across updates.
2. Create a functions.php file: Within your child theme’s directory, create (or edit) the `functions.php` file.
3. Add your code: Use the `add_filter` function to modify the order details. This example adds a custom line of text:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_email_order_details', 'custom_order_details', 10, 2 );
function custom_order_details( $order_details, $order ) {
$order_details .= 'Thank you for your order! We appreciate your business.
';
return $order_details;
}
This code snippet adds a simple thank you message. You can replace this with more complex HTML to restructure or alter the existing order details.
Method 2: Using a Plugin
Creating a plugin is another effective way to manage your customizations, particularly for more complex modifications. This is preferable to directly editing your theme’s files. The process involves:
1. Create a plugin file: Create a new PHP file (e.g., `my-custom-order-details.php`) with the plugin header.
2. Add your code: Use the same `add_filter` function as in the child theme method, but within your plugin’s main file.
3. Activate the plugin: Activate the plugin through your WordPress dashboard.
Example: Adding a Custom Field to the Order Details
Let’s say you want to display a custom field, “Order Note,” added to your order during checkout. Assume the custom field’s name is `order_note`. You can add it to the email like this:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_email_order_details', 'add_custom_order_note_to_email', 10, 2 );
function add_custom_order_note_to_email( $order_details, $order ) {
$order_note = get_post_meta( $order->get_id(), 'order_note', true );
if ( $order_note ) {
$order_details .= 'Order Note: ' . esc_html( $order_note ) . '
';
}
return $order_details;
}
Conclusion
Modifying the `woocommerce_email_order_details` hook provides a flexible way to customize your WooCommerce order emails. By utilizing either a child theme or a plugin, you can safely and effectively tailor the order details section to meet your specific business needs. Remember to always prioritize the safety and maintainability of your code by using child themes or plugins rather than directly modifying core files. This approach ensures your customizations survive updates and keeps your store running smoothly. Experiment with the provided examples and adapt them to create a truly personalized email experience for your customers.
