Import / Export for Web

For backup, sending to translation agencies, using offline tools, etc.

Within the Localize dashboard we provide you with an 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

Watch this short video to see the basic import/export workflows.

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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 website 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 in the page for that file format.

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

  1. Drag-and-drop a file to import into the box, or select a file to import.
  2. Select the desired file type under File Format.
  3. Select the language you are importing.
  4. Specify the import type: Phrases or Glossary terms
  5. Check the Mark all phrases as human reviewed. checkbox if all phrases have been reviewed by a human.
  6. Click the Submit button.
  7. Wait for the file to be uploaded.
  8. Success! View the file details to see how many phrases were created, updated, etc.

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 view
    • The date and time of the upload
    • The name of the file uploaded
    • File format
    • Language
    • State: how many phrases were created/updated/duplicates
  • If your import fails, you can view the number of errors in the State column
    • Click on the # Error(s) link in the State column to see more details about the errors.

  • This will display details about where the errors occurred during the attempted import and what the errors were.
  • You can also download the failed file if necessary.


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.

  1. Select the desired file type under File Format.
  2. 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
  3. Select the language you are exporting.
  4. Specify the export type: Phrases or Glossary terms
  5. Click the Export button.
  6. 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.

  1. Select the desired file type under File Format.
  2. 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
  3. Select the language you are exporting.
  4. Specify the export type: Phrases or Glossary terms
  5. Click the Export button.
  6. 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.

  1. 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
  2. Paste in the text or HTML
  3. Select Add Phrases
  4. 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.
  5. To view the imported phrases, go to your
    a. Pending bin
    b. 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