Display Currency Codes with Shopify Multi-Currency Easily

In the world of e-commerce, providing a seamless shopping experience for international customers is crucial. One key aspect of this is displaying prices in multiple currencies with clear currency codes. If you’re a Shopify store owner struggling to show currency codes alongside prices when using Shopify Multi-Currency, you’re not alone. This guide will walk you through various solutions to help you achieve this functionality.

Understanding Shopify Multi-Currency

What is Shopify Multi-Currency?

Shopify Multi-Currency is a built-in feature that allows your store to display prices in different currencies based on the customer’s location or preference. This feature is essential for businesses targeting a global audience, as it helps customers understand pricing in their local currency.

Expected Behavior vs. Reality

Many store owners expect that enabling Shopify Multi-Currency will automatically display currency codes (e.g., AUD, USD, CAD) after the prices. However, this isn’t always the case, leading to confusion and frustration for both merchants and customers.

The Challenge

The primary challenge lies in getting currency codes to consistently appear after prices across all pages and product variants. While Shopify support may suggest custom development, there are actually several methods you can try before resorting to hiring a developer.

Solutions for Displaying Currency Codes

1. Modifying Theme Files (Most Effective Solution)

The most reliable way to display currency codes is by modifying your theme files. This method works across various Shopify themes, including Debut and Brooklyn.

For Debut Theme Users:

1. Go to Online Store > Themes > Actions > Edit code
2. Locate the product-price.liquid file
3. Find the line containing {{ price | money }}
4. Change it to {{ price | money_with_currency }}

For Brooklyn Theme Users:

1. Open the product-template.liquid file
2. Look for {{ current_variant.price | money }}
3. Replace it with {{ current_variant.price | money_with_currency }}

For Other Themes:

The process is similar, but the exact file and line numbers may vary. Look for instances of | money and replace them with | money_with_currency.

2. Adjusting Theme Settings

Some themes offer built-in settings to display currency codes:

1. Go to Online Store > Themes > Customize > Theme Settings
2. Scroll to Cart/Currency section
3. Change the format to display currency after the price

Note that this method may not work for all themes or may have limitations with variant selection.

3. Modifying Currency Formatting

For stores primarily dealing in one currency:

1. Go to Settings > General
2. Scroll to Store Currency section
3. Click on Change Formatting
4. Update all four fields to include the currency code (e.g., ${{amount}} CAD)

This method works well for single-currency stores but may not be ideal for true multi-currency setups.

Advanced Techniques for Persistent Currency Display

Handling Product Variants

A common issue is currency codes disappearing when selecting different product variants. To address this:

1. Open the theme.js file in your theme’s assets folder
2. Locate the formatRegularPrice function
3. Replace theme.moneyFormat with theme.moneyFormatWithCurrency

This change ensures that currency codes remain visible even when switching between variants with different prices.

Combining Methods for Robust Implementation

For the best results, consider combining multiple methods:

1. Modify theme files to use money_with_currency
2. Adjust theme settings where available
3. Update the theme.js file for variant handling

By implementing these changes together, you create a more consistent and reliable currency display across your entire store.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Residual Code from Third-Party Apps

If you’ve previously used apps like Bold Multi-Currency, residual code may interfere with Shopify’s native multi-currency functionality. To resolve this:

1. Duplicate your current theme
2. Revert to a version before the app was installed
3. Re-implement your customizations on the clean theme

Currency Codes Not Appearing Consistently

If currency codes appear inconsistently across your store:

1. Check all relevant theme files (product-template.liquid, collection-template.liquid, etc.)
2. Ensure money_with_currency is used consistently
3. Clear your browser cache and test in incognito mode

Conflicts with Other Apps or Custom Code

Sometimes, conflicts with other apps or custom code can prevent currency codes from displaying properly. To identify and resolve these issues:

1. Temporarily disable other currency-related apps
2. Review any custom code implementations
3. Test your store’s functionality after each change

By systematically addressing these common issues, you can ensure a smooth and consistent currency display experience for your customers.

Implementing proper currency code display with Shopify Multi-Currency may require some technical adjustments, but it’s achievable without extensive custom development. By following the solutions and troubleshooting tips outlined in this guide, you can provide your international customers with a clear and user-friendly shopping experience. Remember to always test your changes thoroughly across different devices and browsers to ensure consistent functionality.