Creating a License Manually

View Categories

Creating a License Manually

1 min read

Creating a License Manually #

Most licenses are created automatically when customers purchase. But sometimes you need to create one manually.

When to Create Manual Licenses #

Common Scenarios:

  • Customer issued refund but keeps access (goodwill gesture)
  • Gift license to reviewer or beta tester
  • Free license for partner or affiliate
  • Migration from previous licensing system
  • Replacement for lost/corrupted license
  • Promotional giveaway winner
  • Testing purposes (delete after testing)

Step-by-Step Guide #

Step 1: Open the Form #

Go to DDLS > Licenses, click [Add New] button at the top.

Step 2: License Key #

Option A: Auto-Generate (Recommended)

  1. Leave text field empty
  2. Click blue [Generate Key] button
  3. Unique key generates instantly
  4. Format: DMSI-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX (random alphanumeric)

Option B: Manual Entry

  1. Type your own license key
  2. System validates format and uniqueness when you save
  3. Only use for migrations from old systems

Step 3: Select Customer (Required) #

  1. Click “Select Customer” dropdown
  2. Start typing name or email – list filters as you type
  3. Click customer to select

If customer doesn’t exist:

  1. Open new tab: WooCommerce > Customers > Add New
  2. Create customer record
  3. Return to license creation tab
  4. Refresh page
  5. Select newly created customer

Step 4: Select Product (Required) #

  1. Click “Select Product” dropdown
  2. Choose which product this license is for
  3. Only products with “Enable License Management” checked appear

Step 5: License Type #

  1. Click dropdown
  2. Select: Lifetime, Annual, Monthly, Trial, or Custom
  3. Default: Lifetime

What Each Type Means:

  • Lifetime – Never expires (leave Expiration Date empty)
  • Annual – Expires 1 year from purchase
  • Monthly – Expires 30 days from purchase
  • Trial – Typically 7-30 days
  • Custom – Your own expiration terms

Step 6: Activation Limit #

  1. Enter number (or use up/down arrows)
  2. Default: 1
  3. Common values: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100
  4. For unlimited: Enter 0

Step 7: Expiration Date #

  1. Click field to open date picker
  2. Select date OR type in YYYY-MM-DD format
  3. For lifetime licenses: Leave empty

Examples:

  • Lifetime: Leave blank
  • Annual: Today + 365 days
  • Monthly: Today + 30 days
  • Trial: Today + 14 days

Step 8: Status #

  1. Click dropdown
  2. Select: Active or Suspended
  3. Default: Active

When to choose Suspended:

  • License pending payment resolution
  • Preparing license for later activation
  • Testing scenarios

When to choose Active (most common):

  • All normal manual licenses
  • Gift licenses ready to use
  • Migration licenses

Step 9: Save #

Click blue [Create License] button at the bottom.

System will:

  1. Validate all required fields
  2. Verify license key is unique
  3. Save to database
  4. Redirect to license list with success message
  5. Send license creation email to customer (if enabled)

Success Message: “License created successfully! License key: DMSI-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX”

Related Topics #

Leave a Reply