---
title: "Create variants and add-ons for your Helcim products"
slug: "create-variants-add-ons"
description: "Expand your product offerings! Set up product variants like size or colour, and optional add-ons for your items in the Helcim catalogue."
updated: 2026-03-16T15:12:09Z
published: 2026-03-16T15:12:09Z
canonical: "learn.helcim.com/create-variants-add-ons"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.helcim.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create variants and add-ons for products

Want to sell a T-shirt in multiple sizes and colors without creating separate product listings for each one? Or maybe offer optional gift wrapping for any item in a specific category? That's where **variants** and **add-ons** come in handy!

## Variants vs. add-ons

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- **Variants** are for goods with different required options (like size, color, material). Customers *must* choose a variant before purchasing. Inventory is tracked per variant.
- **Add-ons** are optional extras (like setup fees, customization, or accessories) that can apply to goods or services. They are defined at the category level first.

## Creating variants for goods

---

Use variants when you have a single type of good that comes in multiple versions your customer needs to choose from.

****Setting up variants****

1. Select the ![the edit icon](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/edit.png) icon next to a good [you’ve created](/v1/docs/add-edit-products).
2. Scroll down to the **Variants** section on the product editing page.
3. Click the **Add options** button. A pop-up window (modal) will appear.
4. In the modal:
  - Enter an **Option name** (e.g. "Size"). This describes the type of choice.
  - In **Option values**, list the different choices available for that option. New lines will automatically appear each time you add an option.
    - (e.g. for Size: "Small", "Medium", "Large").
5. Click **Generate variants**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/add-new-product-variant.png)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/add-variants-modal.png)

****Managing variants****

After saving your options, the system automatically creates all possible combinations (variants) and lists them in a table below the **Variants** section.

- **Review the Table:** Each row represents a unique variant, grouped by the first option value
  - e.g. all "Small" variants listed together, with subsequent variants listed under "Small / Red", "Small / Blue",
- **To make edits:**
  - You can make quick adjustments to a variant's **Selling price** directly in the table by clicking into the field and typing a value.
  - You can make adjustments to the variant’s **Stock** if you’ve allowed for **Inventory tracking** at the variant level.
  - You can change or add more options by selecting **Edit** next to the variant.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/manage-variants(1).png)

****Detailed edits to variants****

For more detailed changes, click on the variant's name in the table. A side panel will open where you can edit:

- **Price:** Set a specific **Selling price**, **Cost price**, or **Promotional price** for this specific variant. (Note: Variant pricing overrides the main product price).
- **Inventory:** A unique **SKU** is auto-generated for each variant. You can modify it if needed. You can also:
  - Add a unique **Barcode** for the variant.
  - Enter the **Stock** quantity (if you’ve set inventory tracking for variants).
- **Weight:** Adjust the weight for this specific variant if it differs. This is useful for shipping calculations.
- Remember to select **Apply changes** once you’re done editing.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/detailed-edit-variants.png)

****Saving the product****

Once you've configured all your variants, make sure to click the main **Save** button for the entire product to save all your variant setups.

## Applying add-ons to goods or services

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Add-ons are optional extras you can offer to delight your customers. In order to apply an add-on, you’ll first need to create it within a product category.

****Create add-ons within a category****

1. Go to the **Products & Services** page and select the **Categories** tab from the left side menu.
2. Click on the Category where you want add-ons.
3. Select **Add-ons** from the menu on the left.
4. Enter the **Name** for the add-on (e.g. "Gift Wrapping", "Extended Warranty").
5. Enter a **Default price** if the add-on has an extra cost (enter 0 if it's free).
6. Click **New add-on** to add more options.
7. Click **Save** once you’re done.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/new-add-on.png)

| ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/sparkle.png) | To delete an add-on from a category, click on the **X** and then **Save**. |
| --- | --- |

****Enabling add-ons on a good or service****

Once add-ons are defined for a category, here's how you enable or customize them for specific products belonging to that category.

1. Select a good or service from your product library.
2. Make sure it's [assigned to the correct category](/v1/docs/organize-products-services#using-categories) that has the add-ons you want to use.
3. Click on the **Add-ons** section within the product editing screen.
4. You’ll see a list of the add-ons available from the product's category.
5. For each add-on, you can:
  - Adjust the **Selling Price** of the add-on for the selected product, if needed (overriding the category default).
  - Set a **Limit** of how many add-ons a customer can add to the product (if applicable).
6. You can also check the **Add wholesale pricing to add-ons** box to set a separate add-on price for [wholesale customers](/v1/docs/advanced-pricing-options#wholesale-pricing).
7. After you’re done, click the main **Save** button for the product.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/add-ons-science-fiction.png)

## Variants and add-ons during checkout

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### Helcim Point of Sale (POS)

Once variants and add-ons are enabled for a product, you’ll see them appear in an item listing in the Helcim POS app.

- Select an item from the **Items view** in the POS window to open an item listing.
- Variants will show as **Required** selections before adding the item to the cart.
- Add-ons will appear at the bottom of the listing as **Optional**.

---

### Helcim Online Checkout

Once variants and add-ons are enabled for a product, your customers will see them when they select an item from your online store.

- A pop-up for the item will open where your customer can scroll down and select the variant they want.
- The customer won’t be able to add the item to their cart unless they select a variant
- They can select the add-ons they want under **Add extra**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/variants-online-store-view.png)

---

## 

## Next steps

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- Learn about wholesale or BOGO pricing for variants/add-ons: [](https://www.google.com/search?q=placeholder-link)[Use advanced pricing options for products.](/v1/docs/advanced-pricing-options)
- Track stock levels for your different variants: [Configure and manage inventory.](/v1/docs/configure-manage-inventory)
- Review how categories and add-ons work together: [Organize products with categories, brands, and collections](/v1/docs/organize-products-services).

## 

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### FAQs

**What's the difference between a variant and an add-on?**

Variants represent required choices built into a specific good (like size/color options). Add-ons are optional extras (like gift wrap, setup fee) that can be applied to any product (good or service) within a category where the add-on is defined.

**How do customers select variants or add-ons?**

During the checkout process (e.g. in the Online Store or Helcim POS), customers will be presented with a dropdown to select the required variant options before adding a good to their cart. Available add-ons are usually shown as checkboxes or additional items they can select to add to their order.

**Why don't I see any add-ons when editing a product?**

Ensure the product is assigned to a **Category**, and that add-ons have already been created for that specific category in the **Categories** settings area. Add-ons won't appear if the product isn't in a category or if no add-ons have been defined for that category yet.