Last updated: October 26, 2026. Disclosure: Webiots develops Ultimate Product Options, one of the two apps compared here. All features and prices come from each app’s public Shopify App Store listing.
Quick answer: To make a product option required on Shopify, mark the field as required so shoppers can’t add the product to the cart without filling it in. Then test the “Buy it now” and Shop Pay buttons on your product page: they skip the cart, and depending on your theme and app, they can let shoppers skip required fields. If they do, hide them on personalized products.
Key takeaways:
- Required fields stop most incomplete orders.
- Test express checkout buttons; they can skip fields.
- Test every buying path with a real order.
In this guide
- Why orders arrive without details
- 3 ways to make options required
- Set required options in an app
- Fix the Buy it now and Shop Pay gap
- Test checklist
- The bottom line
- FAQ
Why Do Shopify Orders Arrive Without Personalization Details?
Usually because the field wasn’t required, or the shopper used a checkout button that skipped the cart. A customer can buy an engraved ring without typing the engraving text if nothing forces them to. Your team then has to email the customer and wait, which delays the order.
The second cause is harder to spot. Express checkout buttons, such as Buy it now and Shop Pay on the product page, send shoppers straight to checkout. Depending on how your theme and app handle them, required fields may not be checked on this path. In a Shopify Community thread, a merchant reported a required line item property being skipped this way (Shopify Community). Personalization app Customily also tells merchants that express checkouts can create orders without the customer’s personalization (Customily help).
If options are filled in but still go missing, that’s a different problem. See how to fix product options not showing in the cart.
What Are the Ways to Make Product Options Required on Shopify?
Use the required setting in a product options app, add a required field with theme code, or rely on variants for choices that must always be picked.
| Method | How it works | Best for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Options app | Turn on “required” for each field | Text, uploads, dropdowns and checkboxes | Test with express checkout buttons |
| Theme code | Add the HTML required attribute to a custom field in the product form | One or two simple fields | Express checkout buttons may not check it |
| Variants | A variant must always be selected to buy | Size or color with its own stock | Up to 3 options per product (each combination is a variant); can’t collect text or files |
For a code example of a custom text field, see how to add a custom text field to a Shopify product page.
How Do You Make an Option Required in Ultimate Product Options?
Open the field’s settings, turn on required, and add a short hint so shoppers know what to enter. Webiots develops Ultimate Product Options; here is the workflow.
- Install Ultimate Product Options and turn on its app embed in the theme editor.
- Open your option set and choose the field that must be filled in, such as “Engraving text” or “Upload your logo”.
- Turn on the required setting for that field.
- Add helper text under the label, such as “Up to 12 characters” or “PNG or PDF”.
- Use conditional logic (Basic plan and above) when a field is only needed sometimes. For example, make “Engraving text” required only after “Add engraving” is ticked.
- Try to add to cart with the field empty. You should see a message and the product shouldn’t be added.
For upload fields, see how to let customers upload a file on your product page.
Stop orders arriving without the details you need
Required text fields, uploads and dropdowns, with conditional logic from the Basic plan. Free plan available.
How Do You Stop Buy It Now and Shop Pay Skipping Required Fields?
Test them first: try Buy it now with a required field empty. If the order goes through without the detail, hide the express buttons on personalized products.
- Go to Online Store > Themes > Customize and open your product page template.
- Click the Buy buttons block.
- Untick Show dynamic checkout buttons. The setting name can vary slightly between themes.
- Click Save.
Only some products are personalized? Create a separate product template, such as “Personalized”, with the express buttons turned off, and assign it only to custom products. Your other products keep their Buy it now button.
Shoppers can still use Shop Pay and other express payments at the cart, after the product and its options have been added. So hiding the product page buttons doesn’t remove express payment from your store.
How Do You Test That Required Options Work?
Try to break it the way a shopper would, on mobile and desktop.
- Leave a required field empty and click Add to cart: you should see a message and nothing is added.
- Fill in the field and add to cart: the value appears in the cart.
- If you kept express buttons, try Buy it now with the field empty and check the result.
- Test a conditional required field: tick and untick the checkbox that controls it.
- Place a test order and check the value appears on the order in Shopify admin.
- Check the value also prints in your order emails and packing slips.
The Bottom Line
Make every field your team needs required, add a short hint so shoppers know what to enter, and use conditional logic for fields that only apply sometimes. Then close the express checkout gap by hiding Buy it now on personalized products, and prove it all with a test order. That one afternoon saves a lot of follow-up emails.
Want required fields on your own products? Install Ultimate Product Options free or learn more about the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a product option required on Shopify without an app?
Yes, for simple fields. Add the required attribute to a custom input inside the product form. It won’t help with uploads or add-on pricing, and express checkout buttons may not check it.
Why can customers skip required fields?
Most often through Buy it now, Shop Pay or other express checkout buttons on the product page, which send shoppers straight to checkout. Whether this happens depends on your theme and app, so test it. If fields are skipped, hide those buttons on personalized products.
Will hiding Buy it now hurt sales?
It can add one step for shoppers who use it. To limit the impact, hide it only on personalized products by using a separate product template.
Can a field be required only sometimes?
Yes, with conditional logic. For example, show and require “Engraving text” only when “Add engraving” is ticked. In Ultimate Product Options, conditional logic is on the Basic plan and above.
Are variants always required?
Yes. A shopper must select a variant to buy a product with options. But variants can’t collect custom text or files, so those still need required fields.
Related Reading
- How to Add a Custom Text Field to a Shopify Product Page
- How to Let Customers Upload a File or Photo on Your Shopify Product Page
- Shopify Product Options Not Showing in Cart, Checkout or Orders
- How to Set Up Conditional Logic on Shopify Product Pages
Update Log
October 26, 2026: First published. Shopify details and app features checked against the sources below.
