Goal: add a “notes” box in Dawn. Key constraint: Shopify checkout can’t be customized (except for Plus), so the supported approach is adding cart notes on the cart page.
In Dawn (Online Store 2.0), cart notes are built-in. Enable via theme editor: open Cart page > select the Subtotal section > check “Enable cart note” > Save.
If you see “no customizable settings,” click Subtotal, then open Theme settings to find the “Enable cart note” checkbox. Users confirmed this reveals the option and fixes the issue.
Note: This adds a note field on the cart, not the checkout. Checkout fields remain uneditable for non-Plus stores.
To change the label text (e.g., “Order special instructions” to “Add a gift message”): Admin > Online Store > Themes > 3-dots next to Customize > Edit default theme content. Search “note” and edit the relevant string.
Images in the thread illustrate where to click, but the steps above are sufficient. Outcome: solution confirmed and working; no open questions remain.
Hello,
I have the dawn theme for my store, however I want to add a " notes" field for my checkout page but I have tried looking for a way to add it for the last days. With no solution I am unable to do so, it seems this theme does not allow me to do so. I’ve tried to google it and follow the instructions with the cart page and then enabling cart notes but my theme does not have the option to enable cart notes. if someone could help that would be great.
Hi, @crystalledbytif ! Thanks for reaching out about this.
Apart from styling changes, I’m afraid customizations to the Shopify checkout are not possible (with the exception of Plus merchants). Therefore, enabling cart notes is a great idea for achieving what you’d like to do here.
Since the Dawn theme is for the Online Store 2.0, customizations to it are a little bit different than those done to Vintage Shopify themes. However, Dawn has the option to enable cart notes already built-in! Take a look at the Help Doc Add order notes on your cart page for guidance on enabling it.
Let me know if this helps.
Hello @crystalledbytif ,
Please note that you can add the customer note on the Cart page only.
Please follow the steps to add Order Instructions for Seller:
Check the reference image
Hi! Thank you for showing a physical example for help. I am not OP however I have recently switched to using this theme myself and lost my notes to seller box which almost all of my customers need to utilize. My site is not showing this check box option, rather it says “no customizable settings available.” Any advice? Thanks again!
i have plus and have the same problem…
@hifidelity If you click the “Subtotal” button highlighted in red, and then click “theme settings”, you should then see the “enable cart note” tick box. Hope this helps.
Wow, that is BURIED! Thank you SO MUCH for the detailed reply. Really helped me out in a pinch.
Hello Sagarika, I dont see that option to enable notes in my cart. What am i missing ?
Thank you
I get a message no customizable options under subtotal
THANK YOU!!! WORKED.
Sorry for reviving an old thread, but is there a way to change the text from “Order special instructions” to “Add a gift message”?
Any help is appreciated!
Found it!
In case anyone else is trying to edit this section in the cart, this is where I found the setting:
Login to your admin site
Click on Online Store
Click on Themes
Click on the 3-dots menu next to “Customize”
In the “Filter items” search box, search for “note” (without quotes)
Should be the 3rd item as of this post. You can edit the Note; see image
Hope this helps someone!! God bless you!
