Configuring the Email Field for Shipping Addresses

This article explains why the email field may not appear during checkout or when managing addresses, even though the option to require it is enabled in the admin settings.

In some storefront setups, particularly when using departmental addresses, the email field is either inherently missing or controlled by multiple settings. The settings affect how addresses are displayed and whether the email field is required or hidden.

Depending on configuration, the email field can be automatically required when enabled. However, it is not possible to display the field as optional. Changes in settings could also affect order notifications related to billing or shipping addresses.

Use cases

Storefronts using departmental address sharing where the email field is not included by default.
Scenarios where the admin is set to require an email address, yet the checkout or address entry screens do not show the field.
Cases where modifying the 'Contact details for order notifications' setting changes the visibility and requirement of the email field during checkout.
Instances where the absence of the email field creates challenges for sending tracking information directly to end customers.

Key settings in Infigo

Address email address required: Located at Admin > Customer Settings (CustomerUser). This setting controls whether an email address is required for billing and shipping.
Contact details for order notifications: Found in Customer Settings. Changing this from 'Customer details' to 'Billing or Shipping address details' makes the email field appear (and become required) during checkout.
Use department address exclusively: Managed under the Department settings. When enabled, addresses are shared across the department and do not include an email field.
Basket settings for multiple shipping addresses: Allows split shipping but does not influence the appearance of the email field.

Step-by-step guide

Review your store’s configuration to determine if departmental addresses are in use. If the department setting is enabled, note that the email field is not included with these addresses.
Navigate to Admin > Customer Settings and verify that the option for Address email address required is set as desired.
In Customer Settings, locate the Contact details for order notifications option. Change it to Billing or Shipping address details to force the email field to appear and become required during checkout.
Test the changes by impersonating a customer and verifying that the email field shows in the checkout process and the add address form.
Remember that the email field is provided in an all-or-nothing fashion; there is currently no way to display the field as optional.

Configuring the Email Field for Shipping Addresses