{"id":1207,"date":"2026-02-08T18:28:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T18:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spelldot.com\/?p=820"},"modified":"2026-07-01T19:58:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T16:58:38","slug":"create-custom-columns-from-order-meta-delivery-date-po-number-gift-message-no-code","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/presta.site\/blog\/en\/create-custom-columns-from-order-meta-delivery-date-po-number-gift-message-no-code\/","title":{"rendered":"Create Custom Columns from Order Meta (Delivery Date, PO Number, Gift Message) – No Code"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Your orders carry data that WooCommerce hides from you. By adding woocommerce custom order columns<\/strong>, you can reveal delivery dates, PO numbers, gift messages, and warehouse codes – which are normally stored as order meta, buried inside each order. To see any of it without custom columns, you open the order, scroll down, find the field, close the order. Repeat 200 times a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

What if that data sat right in your orders list, in its own column?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post shows you how to create custom columns in OrderFusion for any order meta field. No code, no developer, no plugin configuration files. Five clicks and done. Mastering custom columns is a key part of modern WooCommerce order management in 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What order meta actually is<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every WooCommerce order stores extra data as “meta fields.” These are name-value pairs attached to the order. Some come from WooCommerce itself (billing phone, paid date). Others come from plugins you’ve installed – a delivery date picker saves _delivery_date<\/span><\/code>, a PO number field saves _po_number<\/span><\/code>, a gift message box saves _gift_message<\/span><\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem: WooCommerce doesn’t show this data in the orders list. It’s only visible when you open each order individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OrderFusion fixes that. You pick a meta field, give it a column name, and it appears in your orders list next to order number, status, and total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you start: find your meta key<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every custom column needs a meta key – the internal name WooCommerce uses to store the data. The most reliable way to find it: check your plugin’s documentation.<\/strong> Most plugins list their meta keys in a settings page, FAQ, or support docs. For example, the popular Order Delivery Date plugin by Tyche Softwares uses _orddd_timestamp<\/span><\/code>, not something obvious like _delivery_date<\/span><\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the docs don’t help, you can look inside an order:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n \t
  1. Open any order that has the data you want to display<\/li>\n \t
  2. Scroll down to the Custom Fields<\/strong> section (if you don’t see it, click Screen Options<\/strong> at the top of the page and check the Custom Fields box)<\/li>\n \t
  3. Look at the “Name” column – that’s your meta key<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    One important catch: most plugins prefix their meta keys with an underscore (like _delivery_date<\/span><\/code>), and WordPress hides underscore-prefixed keys from the Custom Fields section by default. So the field you’re looking for might not appear here. That’s normal. Fall back to the plugin’s documentation or contact their support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On newer WooCommerce stores using HPOS (High-Performance Order Storage), the Custom Fields section may not appear on the order page at all. Plugin documentation is your best bet in that case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Whatever method you use, copy the key exactly – case-sensitive, including any underscores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Create your first custom column<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here’s the full process. It takes about 30 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n \t
    1. Go to WooCommerce > Orders<\/strong><\/li>\n \t
    2. Click Screen Options<\/strong> (top-right corner)<\/li>\n \t
    3. In the Columns<\/strong> section, click the +<\/strong> button<\/li>\n \t
    4. Fill in the form:<\/li>\n \t
    5. Column Name<\/strong>: What you want the header to say (e.g., “Delivery Date”)<\/li>\n \t
    6. Meta Key<\/strong>: The exact key from the step above (e.g., _delivery_date<\/span><\/code>)<\/li>\n \t
    7. Column Type<\/strong>: How to format the data – Text, Number, Date, or Yes\/No<\/li>\n \t
    8. Click Create Column<\/strong><\/li>\n \t
    9. Check the new column’s box to enable it<\/li>\n \t
    10. Close Screen Options<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Your column appears in the orders list immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"OrderFusion<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Tip: OrderFusion offers common meta key suggestions when you click\nthe + button. Click a suggestion to auto-fill the form.\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      Picking the right column type<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      The column type controls how OrderFusion displays the raw meta value. Pick the wrong one and dates show as Unix timestamps, yes\/no fields show as “1” and “0.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Text<\/strong> – Default. Shows the raw value as-is. Works for PO numbers, gift messages, notes, codes. Use this when nothing else fits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Number<\/strong> – Formats numeric values. Good for quantities, weights, or amounts stored without currency symbols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Date<\/strong> – Converts timestamps and date strings into readable dates. If your delivery date plugin stores 2025-03-15<\/span><\/code> or a Unix timestamp, this column type turns it into a clean, human-readable format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Yes\/No<\/strong> – Converts 1<\/span><\/code>\/0<\/span><\/code>, yes<\/span><\/code>\/no<\/span><\/code>, or true<\/span><\/code>\/false<\/span><\/code> values into checkmark icons. Perfect for “Gift wrap requested?” or “Fragile?” or “Insurance added?” fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
      \r\n\t\t
      WooCommerce Plugin<\/p>\r\n\t\t
      Want to filter orders, add custom columns, and export CSV from your WooCommerce admin? Try OrderFusion<\/a> \u2014 free Lite on WordPress.org, Pro on WooCommerce.com.<\/p>\r\n\t\t
      \r\n\t\t\tInstall OrderFusion Lite (free)<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t \u00b7 \r\n\t\t\tView OrderFusion Pro on WooCommerce.com<\/a>\r\n\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\n\n\n\n
      Three columns worth building today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      Here are three custom columns that save real time for real stores. Each one replaces something you’re probably doing by hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      1. Delivery date<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      If you use a delivery date picker plugin at checkout, customers choose when they want their order delivered. That date lives in order meta. Without a column for it, your fulfillment team opens every order to check the delivery schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n