osCommerce Knowledge Base
Currencies | Last Update: 13th June, 2005 Article ID: 239 |
- Introduction
- Currencies
- Installing/Editing a New Currency
- Updating Exchange Rates
Introduction
Two currencies are installed by default, the US Dollar and the EU Euro, although others can be installed. Although all currencies listed will be availale to the customer for selection, the default currency will be used for data entry in the Adminstration Tool. Also, a tool is provided to help update the currency exchange rates.
Currencies
New currencies can be installed by clicking the Insert button on the Currencies page, and filling out the fields described below.
Although the exchange rates of the other currencies will be updated automatically when the update tool is used, if any products have been entered in the Administration Tool, they will need to have the prices updated manually so be sure to install the default currency first, THEN add products!
Figure 1 shows the Currencies listing page under the Admin>Localization>Currencies section.
Figure 1. Currencies listing page under the Admin>Localization>Currencies section.
To change the details click the "wrench graphic tool" under the "Action" column next to the "Title" being edited. To remove click the blue trashcan.
- Installing/Editing a New Currency
Figure 2 shows the Currencies listing page under the Admin>Localization>Currencies>Edit section.
Figure 2. Currency listing page under the Admin>Localization>Currencies>Edit section.
- Title
This text will be used to describe what the currency is. It will be the same text regardless of what language the customer selects.
Code
This is the text code that will be used to refer to the currency when a row is inserted into the database. It will also be used to do the automatic exchange rate updates online, so it must match with the online systems. You can find a list of the currency codes here.
Symbol Left & Symol Right
The text entered here will be displayed to the left and to the right of the numeric currency amount, respectively. Any letters or symbols can be used in this box.
Decimal Places
This specifies the number of decimal places that will be displayed on all currency values. Two digits is the default on the US Dollar and Euro, and is the most common amount.
Value
The value of the currency is multiplied by the value that was entered by the store owner in the Administration Tool. Therefore, to have a set currency display the same to the customer, a value of 1.00 would be entered, as is the default for the US Dollar. Although this value can be updated automatically, the number can be entered manually as well. There should only be one currency that has a value of 1.00, the default currency, and all other currencies will then use that as a reference. This default currency is what the Adminstrator will have in mind as prices are entered into the system.
Set as Default (optional)
If the selected currency isn't set as the default, this box will appear. The default currency is the one that all others will be referenced to during the automatic updates.
Updating Exchange Rates
All of the values of the exchanges rates can be updated through one of two services by using the Update Exchange Rates button, and selecting a service. All currencies will be referenced to the default currency.