Every modifier group has three settings that decide how many options can be picked: Selection Type, Minimum Selection and Maximum Selection. This article explains what each one does and gives the exact settings for the rules restaurants and shops use most.
Where the settings are
In the left sidebar click Shop+, stay on Products, click the Modifiers tab, then Create (or open a group with the three-dot menu and Edit). The three settings are in the Configuration Settings card.
What each setting means
Minimum Selection is how many options must be picked before the item can be added to the order. The list starts at 1; there is no 0 in the list. Leave it blank and the group is optional. Blank is the same as a minimum of zero.
Maximum Selection is the most that can be picked. Once the maximum is reached, the remaining options are greyed out.
Selection Type controls how picking behaves. Single Choice allows one option at a time, so choosing a second option replaces the first. Multi Select lets several options be ticked together.
Quick reference
Rule you want | Minimum | Maximum | Selection Type | Example |
Required, pick one | 1 | 1 | Single Choice | Steak temperature, milk choice, dressing |
Optional, pick one or none | blank (same as 0) | 1 | Single Choice | Steak sauce, make it a combo |
Required, pick exactly N | N | N | Multi Select | Choice of two sides |
Optional, pick up to N | blank (same as 0) | N | Multi Select | Add-ons, toppings, gift options |
Required, at least N and up to M | N | M | Multi Select | Pick 2 or 3 wing sauces |
Required, pick one
Set Minimum Selection to 1, Maximum Selection to 1 and Selection Type to Single Choice. A minimum of 1 is what makes the group required. Use this for any question that must have one answer: how a steak is cooked, which milk, which dressing.
Optional, pick one or none
Leave Minimum Selection blank (there is no 0 in the list; blank is the same as zero), set Maximum Selection to 1 and Selection Type to Single Choice. Staff can skip the group, or pick one option.
Required, pick exactly two (or any exact number)
Set Minimum Selection and Maximum Selection to the same number and choose Multi Select. For "choice of two sides" both are 2. The item cannot be added with one side, and a third side cannot be ticked.
Optional, pick up to a limit
Leave Minimum Selection blank, set Maximum Selection to the limit and choose Multi Select. This is the standard setup for add-ons and toppings. If you do not want a practical limit, set the maximum to the number of options in the group.
Required, at least some and up to more
Set a minimum and a higher maximum with Multi Select. In this example ten wings come with two or three sauces: minimum 2, maximum 3.
What staff see when the item is rung up
Each group header shows its rule. A required group shows Min and the number. Single Choice groups show Pick 1. Multi Select groups show Up to and the maximum. This dish has a required pick-one group, a required pick-two group, an optional pick-one group and an optional up-to-two group.
Add to Cart stays disabled until every required group has reached its minimum. Here only one of the two required sauces has been chosen, so the button is still disabled.
After the second sauce is chosen the minimum is met and the item can be added. A third sauce is still allowed because the maximum is 3.
When to use Single Choice and when to use Multi Select
Use Single Choice when the options exclude each other. A steak cannot be both rare and well done. Tapping a different option switches the answer, which is faster for staff than unticking and re-ticking.
Use Multi Select when options can be combined: toppings, sides, extras, sauces.
Single Choice always behaves as one pick. If you need two or more picks, use Multi Select even when the minimum and maximum are equal.
Common mistakes
A minimum higher than the number of options. The group can never be satisfied and the item cannot be sold. Keep the minimum at or below the number of options.
A minimum higher than the maximum. Same result. The maximum must be equal to or higher than the minimum.
Making an add-on group required by accident. If staff are forced to choose an extra the customer did not ask for, check that Minimum Selection is blank.
Using Single Choice for "pick two". It will only ever accept one.
Common questions
How do I make a modifier required? Set Minimum Selection to 1 or more.
How do I make a modifier optional? Leave Minimum Selection blank. Blank is the same as zero.
Why is there no 0 in the Minimum Selection list? The list starts at 1 because a blank Minimum Selection already means zero. To set a minimum of zero, leave the field blank.
How do I force exactly two choices? Minimum 2, maximum 2, Multi Select.
How do I allow unlimited toppings? Leave the minimum blank and set the maximum to the number of options in the group.
Can I offer "no sauce" on a required group? Yes. Add an option called No Sauce with no price. The group stays required, so staff always confirm the answer.