Adding a message to the admin order update email

Modifying emails which are sent when orders are updated

Since Zen Cart 1.5.7, the capability to add a static message to the admin order update email has been built in.

In Zen Cart 1.5.8 and higher, the file containing the message is located at admin/includes/languages/english/lang.email_extras.php.

In Zen Cart 1.5.7, the file containing the message is located at admin/includes/languages/english/email_extras.php.

Edit this file, and set the defined constant EMAIL_ORDER_UPDATE_MESSAGE with your additional message and save the file.

There is also a notifier called ZEN_UPDATE_ORDERS_HISTORY_SET_ORDER_UPDATE_MESSAGE which fires when the message is being added, providing the opportunity for customization.

You can test your changes to the order update email simply by updating an order on the order details page.

Still have questions? Use the Search box in the upper right, or try the full list of FAQs. If you can't find it there, head over to the Zen Cart support forum and ask there in the appropriate subforum. In your post, please include your Zen Cart and PHP versions, and a link to your site.

Is there an error or omission on this page? Please post to General Questions on the support forum. Or, if you'd like to open a pull request, just review the guidelines and get started. You can even PR right here.

Last modified May 10, 2025 by Scott Wilson (17af1b0).