Textarea options provide multi-line text input fields perfect for collecting longer messages, detailed instructions, and customer notes that don't fit in a single-line text field.
What Are Textarea Options?
Textarea options create a resizable, multi-line text box where customers can enter paragraphs of text. Ideal for:
- Long gift messages or cards
- Detailed special instructions
- Custom design descriptions
- Shipping notes and preferences
- Customer requirements or specifications
!Textarea option on product page A textarea option for detailed gift messages
When to Use Textarea vs Text
| Use Text Option | Use Textarea Option |
|---|---|
| Names, initials | Paragraphs, multiple sentences |
| Short phrases (< 50 chars) | Long messages (> 50 chars) |
| Engraving text | Detailed instructions |
| Product codes | Design descriptions |
| Single-line input | Multi-line input |
Real-World Use Cases
1. Gift Messages & Cards
Birthday Card Message
Label: "Birthday Card Message"
Placeholder: "Write your birthday wishes here..."
Max Length: 500 characters
Wedding Gift Note
Label: "Message for the Bride & Groom"
Placeholder: "Share your congratulations and well wishes..."
Max Length: 1000 characters
2. Special Instructions
Delivery Instructions
Label: "Special Delivery Instructions"
Placeholder: "e.g., Leave package at back door, ring doorbell twice..."
Max Length: 300 characters
Custom Requirements
Label: "Additional Requirements or Preferences"
Placeholder: "Tell us anything else we should know..."
Max Length: 500 characters
3. Design Specifications
Custom Design Brief
Label: "Describe Your Custom Design"
Placeholder: "Include colors, style preferences, inspiration..."
Max Length: 2000 characters
!Textarea for design specifications Collect detailed design requirements with a textarea
Creating a Textarea Option
Step 1: Basic Configuration
Option Label: "Gift Card Message"
Internal Name: "gift-card-message"
Help Text: "Write a personalized message for your gift recipient"
Option Type: Textarea
Step 2: Textarea-Specific Settings
Rows (Height)
Control the initial height:
Rows: 4 (Default - about 4 lines)
Rows: 6 (Taller - about 6 lines)
Rows: 10 (Very tall - for long content)
Recommended heights:
- Gift messages: 4-6 rows
- Instructions: 3-4 rows
- Design briefs: 8-10 rows
!Different textarea heights Choose the right height for your use case
Character Limit
Always set a maximum:
Max Characters: 500 (Gift messages)
Max Characters: 1000 (Detailed notes)
Max Characters: 2000 (Design descriptions)
Character Counter
Show remaining characters:
Show Counter: Yes
Update: Real-time (as customer types)
Position: Below textarea
Step 3: Validation & Requirements
Required: No (for optional messages)
Required: Yes (for critical specifications)
Minimum Characters: 10 (ensure meaningful input)
Maximum Characters: 500
Step 4: Placeholder Examples
Good placeholders guide customers:
✅ "e.g., Dear Sarah, Happy 30th Birthday! We hope this
year brings you joy and adventure. Love, Mom & Dad"
✅ "Describe your ideal design including colors, style,
and any specific elements you want included..."
❌ "Enter your message"
❌ "Type here"
Best Practices
1. Set Appropriate Limits
Match limits to use case:
Short notes: 200-300 characters
Gift messages: 400-600 characters
Instructions: 300-500 characters
Detailed specs: 1000-2000 characters
2. Provide Clear Guidance
Help Text: "Your message will be printed on a gift card
included with your order. Maximum 500 characters."
3. Show Examples
Include a sample message:
Placeholder: "Example: Dear Mom, Thank you for everything
you do. This gift is just a small token of
my appreciation. Love always, Sarah"
4. Consider Formatting
Decide if you'll preserve:
- Line breaks
- Multiple spaces
- Special characters
Preserve Formatting: Yes (keeps line breaks)
Preserve Formatting: No (converts to single paragraph)
5. Mobile-Friendly Sizing
Test on mobile devices:
Mobile Rows: 4 (smaller on mobile)
Desktop Rows: 6 (larger on desktop)
!Textarea on mobile device Ensure textareas work well on mobile screens
Advanced Features
Auto-Resize
Allow textarea to grow as customer types:
Auto-Resize: Yes
Max Height: 500px
Word Count
Show word count instead of character count:
Counter Type: Words
Max Words: 100
Spell Check
Enable browser spell checking:
Spell Check: Enabled
Rich Text (Premium)
Some plans support basic formatting:
Bold: Yes
Italics: Yes
Line Breaks: Yes
Styling Options
Width
Width: Full (100% of container)
Width: Large (75%)
Width: Medium (50%)
Border Style
Border: Standard
Border: Rounded
Border: Minimal
Focus State
Highlight when customer clicks in:
Focus Color: Primary brand color
Focus Effect: Subtle glow
Common Use Cases by Industry
E-commerce Gifts
Option: "Gift Message"
Rows: 5
Max Characters: 400
Required: No
Placeholder: "Write your personal message..."
Custom Products
Option: "Design Specifications"
Rows: 8
Max Characters: 1500
Required: Yes
Placeholder: "Describe colors, size, style..."
Food & Catering
Option: "Dietary Requirements & Allergies"
Rows: 4
Max Characters: 300
Required: No
Placeholder: "List any allergies or dietary needs..."
Event Planning
Option: "Event Details & Special Requests"
Rows: 6
Max Characters: 800
Required: Yes
Placeholder: "Describe your event, guest count, timing..."
!Industry-specific textarea examples Textarea options tailored to different industries
Integration with Fulfillment
How Textarea Data Appears
In Shopify orders:
Product: Custom T-Shirt
Options:
- Gift Message: "Happy Birthday John! Hope you love
this custom shirt. Wear it with pride!
Love, Sarah"
Printing & Display
Consider how you'll use long messages:
- Print on gift cards (set appropriate size limit)
- Include in packing slips
- Send to custom manufacturers
- Display in customer service systems
Troubleshooting
Text Gets Cut Off
Problem: Character limit too low Solution: Increase max characters or show warning
Textarea Too Small
Problem: Not enough rows Solution: Increase row count or enable auto-resize
Formatting Lost
Problem: Line breaks disappear Solution: Enable "Preserve Formatting"
Mobile Issues
Problem: Textarea unusable on phone Solution: Set appropriate mobile row count
No Character Counter
Problem: Counter not showing Solution: Enable in settings, check theme compatibility
Comparison with Other Options
Textarea vs Text
Textarea: Multi-line, paragraphs
Text: Single line, short phrases
Textarea vs Dropdown
Textarea: Free-form input
Dropdown: Predefined choices
Textarea vs File Upload
Textarea: Text descriptions
File Upload: Actual documents/images
Examples with Conditional Logic
Show textarea based on previous choice:
If customer selects: "Yes, add gift wrapping"
Then show: "Gift Message" textarea
Learn more: Conditional Logic Guide
Related Option Types
- Text Options - For single-line input
- Dropdown Options - For predefined choices
- Email Options - For email addresses
Next Steps
Explore more option types:
- Checkbox Options - Multiple selections
- Radio Options - Single choice from list
- Image Upload Options - File uploads
Questions? Check our Troubleshooting Guide or contact support.