How to Add CAD and AUD Before the Dollar Sign in Read more about Woocommerce How To Charge Sales Tax In Multiple States WooCommerce
Are you running a WooCommerce store and need to display your prices in Canadian Dollars (CAD) or Australian Dollars (AUD) with the currency symbol appearing *before* the dollar sign, like this: CAD $19.99 or AUD $29.99? You’re in the right place! Many online store owners in Canada and Australia prefer this format, and thankfully, WooCommerce makes it achievable.
This guide will walk you through the steps in a newbie-friendly way. We’ll avoid complex coding as much as possible and focus on methods that are easy to implement.
Why Change the Currency Symbol Position?
The standard WooCommerce setup typically displays the currency symbol *after* the amount (e.g., $19.99). However, in Canada and Australia, it’s more common to see the currency symbol before the dollar sign. This is a cultural preference, and displaying prices in the familiar format can increase trust and conversions for your customers.
Imagine a customer from Canada visiting your site and seeing “$19.99 CAD”. They might hesitate, wondering if the price is actually in US dollars, leading to cart abandonment. By displaying “CAD $19.99”, you eliminate that confusion and provide a smoother shopping experience.
Method 1: Using the WooCommerce Settings (Simple but Limited)
WooCommerce offers basic currency options within its settings. While it doesn’t directly allow you to place CAD or AUD before the dollar sign, you can use it to set the currency itself.
1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click on the General tab.
3. In the Currency dropdown, select either Canadian Dollar (CAD) or Australian Dollar (AUD).
4. Save changes.
While this sets the overall currency, it doesn’t solve the problem of the symbol’s position. We need a more powerful method.
Method 2: Using a Code Snippet (Recommended)
This method involves adding a small code snippet to your `functions.php` file or using a code snippets plugin. This is the most flexible and reliable way to customize the currency display.
Important: Before making any changes to your theme’s `functions.php` file, always create a backup of your website. A small error in the code can break your site. Alternatively, use a code snippets plugin (like “Code Snippets”) which allows you to add and manage code snippets without directly editing theme files.
Here’s the code snippet for CAD:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_currency_symbol', 'change_existing_currency_symbol', 10, 2 );
function change_existing_currency_symbol( $currency_symbol, $currency ) {
switch ( $currency ) {
case ‘CAD’: $currency_symbol = ‘CAD $’; break;
}
return $currency_symbol;
}
And here’s the code snippet for AUD:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_currency_symbol', 'change_existing_currency_symbol', 10, 2 );
function change_existing_currency_symbol( $currency_symbol, $currency ) {
switch ( $currency ) {
case ‘AUD’: $currency_symbol = ‘AUD $’; break;
}
return $currency_symbol;
}
Explanation:
- `add_filter( ‘woocommerce_currency_symbol’, ‘change_existing_currency_symbol’, 10, 2 );`: This line tells WordPress to use our custom function `change_existing_currency_symbol` whenever WooCommerce needs to display a currency symbol.
- `function change_existing_currency_symbol( $currency_symbol, $currency )`: This defines our custom function. It takes two arguments: the original currency symbol and the currency code.
- `switch ( $currency )`: This `switch` statement checks the currency code.
- `case ‘CAD’: $currency_symbol = ‘CAD $’; break;`: If the currency is CAD, it replaces the default currency symbol with “CAD $”. The space after CAD is optional but often preferred for readability.
- `case ‘AUD’: $currency_symbol = ‘AUD $’; break;`: Similarly, for AUD, it changes the symbol to “AUD $”.
- `return $currency_symbol;`: Finally, the function returns the modified currency symbol.
- Install and activate a Code Snippets plugin (e.g., “Code Snippets”).
- Go to Snippets > Add New.
- Paste the code snippet (either CAD or AUD) into the code area.
- Give the snippet a descriptive name (e.g., Discover insights on How To Import Products From Alibaba To Woocommerce “WooCommerce CAD Currency Symbol”).
- Set the snippet to run “Only in administration area” or “Everywhere”.
- Save and Activate the snippet.
- Go to Appearance > Theme Editor in your WordPress dashboard.
- Locate the `functions.php` file in your theme’s folder.
- Paste the code snippet (either CAD or AUD) at the *end* of the file, *before* the closing `?>` tag (if it exists).
- Update File.
- Clear your browser cache to see the changes.
- Add a product to your cart and proceed to checkout.
- Place a test order to verify the currency symbol in the order confirmation email.
How to Add the Code Snippet:
1. Using a Code Snippets Plugin (Recommended):
2. Directly in `functions.php` (Advanced):
Example:
Let’s say you sell handcrafted leather wallets. Your original price display was “$50.00 CAD” (incorrect). After implementing the CAD code snippet, Check out this post: How To Reorder Items On Woocommerce it will now display as “CAD $50.00”, which is the preferred format for Canadian customers.
Method 3: Using a Plugin (Less Recommended for this Simple Task)
While there are plugins specifically designed for currency management, using a dedicated plugin for *just* changing the symbol position is often overkill. The code snippet method is much more lightweight and efficient.
However, if you’re already using a currency converter plugin or need more complex currency features, it might be worth exploring its settings to see if it offers an option to customize the currency symbol position.
Testing Discover insights on How To Put Woocommerce On WordPress and Verification
After implementing any of these methods, thoroughly test your website to ensure the currency symbol is displayed correctly on product pages, cart pages, checkout pages, and order confirmation emails.
Conclusion
Changing the currency symbol position in WooCommerce to display CAD or AUD before the dollar sign can significantly improve the user experience for your customers in Canada Check out this post: How To Add Additional Information In Woocommerce and Australia. The code snippet method is the most recommended due to its simplicity and efficiency. Remember to back up your website before making any code changes. By following these steps, you can create a more professional and trustworthy online store.
