Import / Export for Web

Within the Localize dashboard we provide you with the ability to import and export phrases and website translations in various file formats.

You can also import/export Glossary terms.

To import or export simply go to the File Import / Export page in your dashboard.

Below you will find basic instructions for importing/exporting any of the supported file types for Web projects.

Supported File Formats

For details on the requirements for the various file formats supported in web projects, select a project type and a file format below to view our developer docs for that format.

Website / Web App: Javascript Projects

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UTF-8 Character Encoding
Be sure that you are using the UTF-8 character encoding when working with the external files you are creating for importing purposes, so that special characters like accents are encoded properly.

Importing Files

Importing your source language phrases into the Localize platform and translation workflow allows you to invite your translators to add/edit translations or to order professional translations from one of our third-party providers directly through our platform. You can also import phrases and translations that were done outside of Localize.

Before importing, make sure your file adheres to the file requirements for the file type that you are importing. You can find these requirements on the page for that file format.

Navigate to the File Import / Export: Import tab in your dashboard.

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Sample Files
You can download a sample file of the format of choice by clicking on its icon and then clicking the Download Sample button. Use this as a guide for creating your import files.

Drag-and-drop a file to import into the box, or select a file to import (or use Google Drive).
1. If you have multiple files to import, repeat.
2. You can also import a ZIP file that contains multiple import files.
The file type will be auto-detected and displayed.
1. If it's not correct then select the appropriate format from the drop-down.
2. Repeat this for each file you are importing.
Select the language you are importing.
1. Repeat this for each file you are importing.
Add any Labels to the phrase by selecting one or more from the list.
Specify the import type: Phrases or Glossary terms
Check the Mark all phrases as human checkbox if all phrases have been reviewed by a human.
Click the Submit button.
Wait for the file(s) to be uploaded.
Success! View the file details to see how many phrases were created, updated, etc.

If there are any errors during the import process you will be notified with a message describing the error.

All phrases in the import file will be categorized as follows:

Created
- A new phrase was created.
Updated
- An existing phrase was updated.
Unchanged
- The source phrase and translation matched the existing content so no action was taken.
Ignored
- Not applicable in an import for a web project.

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Results of Importing Translations
When you import translations, your Localize dashboard gets updated:

existing translations will be overwritten

new translations will be added from the file that you upload

by default, phrases will have the Import tag applied

If you opt to select the Mark all phrases as human reviewed. checkbox, then the phrases will be marked with your name, indicating that those phrases were marked as human.

Desitnation After Import

If you are using the Translation QA Workflow, then your imported phrases will be automatically moved to one of the Translation QA bins, either Needs Review or Needs Translation.

If you are NOT using the Translation QA Workflow, then your imported phrases will be automatically moved to the Published bin, whether they have translations or not.

Import with Pluralized Phrases

Note, if a phrase is pluralized, then it will have multiple translations for a single source phrase. Unless otherwise noted in a specific file format, all translations will be imported together, separated by 4 vertical bars ||||.

Source phrase:
Your trial ends in <var count=""></var> days

Translation:
Su prueba termina en <var count=""></var> día||||Su prueba termina en <var count=""></var> días

Import History

After your import has been completed, you can view the status under Import History.

If your import is successful, you can click View to see:
- How many phrases were created/updated/unchanged/ignored
- Language
- File format
If your import fails, click Review Error to see details about the error.

Exporting Files

Localize detects all the content found in your application. You can export your translations for backup purposes, send them to your translators (who can translate your content using a third-party tool), or delegate the translation process to a translation service of your choice.

Exporting when using the Translation QA Workflow

Navigate to the File Import / Export: Export tab in your dashboard.

Select the desired file type under File Format.
Select a filter that will determine which phrases get exported:
a. Translations that need review
b. Phrases that need translations
c. Phrases with rejected translations
d. Published translations
e. Machine translations
f. Human translations
g. No translations
h. Needs human translations
Select the language you are exporting.
Specify the export type: Phrases or Glossary terms
Click the Export button.
Wait for your download to complete, then close the popup dialog.

Exporting when not using the Translation QA Workflow

Navigate to the File Import / Export: Export tab in your dashboard.

Select the desired file type under File Format.
Select a filter that will determine which phrases get exported:
a. Published translations
b. Machine translations
c. Human translations
d. No translations
e. Needs human translations
Select the language you are exporting.
Specify the export type: Phrases or Glossary terms
Click the Export button.
Wait for your download to complete, then close the popup dialog.

Exporting Selected Phrases

Alternatively, you can filter exactly which phrases that you want to export on the Manage Phrases page. Find out how...

Export with Pluralized Phrases

Note, if a phrase is pluralized, then it will have multiple translations for a single source phrase. Unless otherwise noted in a specific file format, all translations will be exported together, separated by 4 vertical bars ||||.

Translators working in the exported file will need to be made aware of, and maintain these separating bars.

Source phrase:
Your trial ends in <var count=""></var> days

Translation:
Su prueba termina en <var count=""></var> día||||Su prueba termina en <var count=""></var> días

Text Import

Localize will automatically import content on your website in a web-based project. However, manually importing phrases can be useful for translating content before it's live on your website.

To manually import phrases in text or HTML format, navigate to Phrases > File Import / Export > Text Import. You will see the following screen.

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Security Warning
Do not copy and paste text from an untrusted source into the box below. Malicious Javascript contained in your submission may compromise the security of your account. Do not proceed if you do not accept and understand this security advisory.

You can import plain text phrases separated by line breaks, or raw HTML.

Select the Text or HTML choice.
a. If pasting text: phrases should be separated by line break (inline HTML allowed)
b. If pasting HTML: phrases will be extracted from the HTML
Paste in the text or HTML
Select Add Phrases
A pop-up dialog will be seen showing whether the import was successful or not.
a. Note: this type of import will not show up in the Import History page.
To view the imported phrases, go to your
a. Pending bin for a web-based project.
b. Published bin for a Mobile / Files-based project.
c. Needs Review bin if using the Translation QA workflow.

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Supported Browsers for Text Import
The Text Import feature has been verified to work in the latest versions following browsers:

Windows: Chrome, Firefox

Macintosh: Chrome, Firefox, Safari

It does NOT work in the following browsers:

Windows: Internet Explorer, Edge