- Short answer
- The order timeline logs each order's history and staff comments; only you and other staff can read comments in the admin, not customers.
- Editing
- Your own comments, only for 5 minutes after you post
- Deleting
- Can't be reversed
- Notifications
- Only @mentioned staff get one, and only if they can access Orders
- Printing
- A printed order page includes its Timeline comments
- Order notes
- A separate Notes section for messages or special instructions
What does an order's timeline record?
The Timeline is the order's detailed history, while the order's payment and fulfillment statuses show where it stands now. Among the Timeline's entries, Shopify names payment events, useful for troubleshooting a failed capture or refund, and order emails you can resend from there.
You add comments there too, in the Leave a comment... field, on desktop or in the Shopify app.
- Orders
- The order
- Timeline
- @mention a staff member to email them your comment; without a mention, Shopify notifies no one, and a mentioned staff member without access to Orders isn't notified either, so check their staff permissions.
- You can edit your own comments, but only for 5 minutes after posting.
- Deleting a comment can't be reversed.
- You can attach files, or on desktop drag and drop them into the comment box.
Who can see the comments you add?
Comments added to the Timeline can only be read in the admin by you and other staff members. Shopify's Timeline page puts the customer side of the notes and comments you write there plainly:
All notes and comments are internal and won't be visible to your customers.
Should it be a timeline comment or an order note?
- Internal communication between staff
- Can carry internal special instructions
- Read in the admin only by you and other staff
- Printed with the order page
- Messages or special instructions included in the order
- Customers can add one once you activate order notes
- A customized packing slip template can show it through order.note
You add or edit order notes in the order's Notes section (Orders › the order › Notes).
- Orders
- Order
- Notes
To let customers write their own, see where to turn on order notes in your theme.
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