How to Customize Installment Description Formats

Reading time: 3 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner

Overview

When you create a subscription form with a limited number of payments (installments), WP Simple Pay displays a description of the payment plan to your customers. For example, “12 monthly payments of $24.” You can choose how these descriptions are worded by selecting from three format options, both globally and per form.

Prerequisites

• WP Simple Pay Pro (any tier)
• A subscription form with a maximum number of billing cycles configured

Step 1: Set a Global Default Format

The global setting controls the default format used across all your payment forms.

1. Navigate to WP Simple Pay > Settings > General.
2. Scroll down to the Currency & Formatting section.
3. Find the Installment Description Format dropdown.
4. Select your preferred format from the three available options.
5. Click Save Changes.

All forms that do not have a per-form override will use this global setting.

Step 2: Override the Format on a Specific Form (Optional)

You can override the global default on any individual payment form.

1. Navigate to WP Simple Pay > Payment Forms and edit the form you want to customize.
2. Click the Payment tab.
3. Find the Installment Description Format dropdown.
4. Choose a specific format, or select Global default to use the global setting.
5. Click Publish or Update to save the form.

Available Format Options

Each format automatically adjusts its wording based on whether the billing interval is singular (e.g., “every month”) or plural (e.g., “every 3 months”).

Count + Adjective + Amount (Default)

Leads with the number of payments and uses an adjective for the interval.

• Monthly: “12 monthly payments of $24”
• Quarterly: “12 payments of $24 every 3 months”

Amount Per Interval

Leads with the payment amount and expresses the interval as a rate.

• Monthly: “$24 per month for 12 payments”
• Quarterly: “$24 per 3 months for 12 payments”

Amount Every Interval

Leads with the payment amount and uses “every” phrasing.

• Monthly: “$24 every month, 12 payments total”
• Quarterly: “$24 every 3 months, 12 payments total”

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this affect forms without installment limits?

No. This setting only applies to subscription forms that have a maximum number of billing cycles configured. Open-ended subscriptions are not affected.

What happens if I change the global format after creating forms?

Any form set to Global default will immediately use the new global format. Forms with a specific per-form override will not be affected.

Can I translate these descriptions?

Yes. All format strings are fully translatable using standard WordPress translation tools. Each format has separate strings for singular and plural intervals.

Does this affect Stripe Checkout (off-site) forms?

This setting applies to on-site payment forms (embedded and overlay). For Stripe Checkout forms, the description is controlled by Stripe’s interface.

What’s Next?

• Installment Plans – Learn how to configure installment payment plans
• Payment Options – Configure pricing tiers and subscription settings