Overview
The Languages feature enables you to create multi-language versions of your apps, making them accessible to users worldwide. Elementum automatically translates field names using AI when you enable new languages, and provides tools for manual refinement.Prerequisites
Before setting up translations, ensure you have:Base Language Content
Your app should be fully configured in your primary language (typically English) with all field names finalized
Update Language Settings in Your App
In your app’s navigation menu, click Languages under the Configuration section to access your language settings.Language settings are configured at the app level and apply to all users of that app based on their regional preferences.
Enable Languages for the First Time
When setting up languages in your app for the first time, check the box next to each language you would like to use.Edit Configured Languages
To make changes to languages that are already configured in your app:Add Additional Languages
To add a new language to your app using an XLIFF file:Download the Language File
Click the More icon in the top right corner of the page and select Download Language File.
Upload the Language File
Back on the app’s Languages page, click the More icon and select Upload Language File.
Managing Translations
Ongoing Management Tasks:New Field Translation
New Field Translation
When you add new fields to your app:
- Automatic Translation: If languages are enabled, new fields auto-translate
- Review Process: Check AI translations for new fields
- Manual Adjustment: Edit translations as needed for accuracy
- Update Professional Files: Re-export XLIFF if using professional translations
Translation Updates
Translation Updates
When you need to update existing translations:
- Direct Editing: Modify translations directly in the interface
- Bulk Updates: Use XLIFF export/import for major changes
- Version Control: Keep track of translation changes over time
- User Communication: Notify users of significant translation updates
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance
Regular translation quality checks:
- Native Speaker Review: Have native speakers review translations periodically
- User Feedback: Collect feedback from users about translation quality
- Consistency Audits: Ensure consistent terminology across all fields
- Professional Updates: Periodically refresh with professional translation services
Set User Language
Language Display for Users
How Users See Translations:- User Profile Settings
- App Interface
Users control their language experience through their profile:
- Regional Settings: Users set their preferred language in User Profile
- Automatic Application: App immediately displays in selected language
- Personal Preference: Each user can choose their own language independently
- Consistent Experience: Language choice applies across all apps they access
- Immediate Effect: Language changes take effect immediately
- No Data Loss: Changing languages doesn’t affect stored data
- Consistent Interface: All field names update to the selected language
- Fallback Handling: Untranslated content falls back to default language
Translation Scope
Elementum translates most user-facing content automatically. Here’s what is and isn’t included in the translation system.
- ✅ Field names and labels
- ✅ Custom field names
- ✅ Form field labels
- ✅ Record detail field names
- ✅ System buttons (Save, Cancel, Delete, etc.)
- ✅ Navigation menus
- ✅ System messages and notifications
- ✅ Help text and descriptions
- ✅ Validation error messages
- ❌ App Names
- ❌ Section titles
- ❌ Widgets on Workspaces
- ❌ Workspace names and descriptions
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Translations Not Appearing
Translations Not Appearing
Possible Causes:
- User regional settings not configured correctly
- Language not enabled in app translation settings
- Browser cache showing old content
- Translation not completed for specific fields
- Verify user has correct regional language in User Profile
- Confirm target language is enabled in app Translation settings
- Clear browser cache and refresh the application
- Check translation completion status for the language
Poor Translation Quality
Poor Translation Quality
Possible Causes:
- AI translation lacks business context
- Technical terminology not translated appropriately
- Industry-specific terms need manual adjustment
- Cultural context not considered in AI translation
- Manually edit problematic translations in the interface
- Use professional translation services for critical content
- Create terminology glossaries for consistent AI translation
- Gather feedback from native speakers and adjust accordingly
XLIFF File Issues
XLIFF File Issues
Possible Causes:
- File format corruption during download/upload
- Translation software compatibility issues
- Missing or incomplete translations in file
- File encoding problems
- Re-download XLIFF files if upload fails
- Verify translation software supports XLIFF 1.2 or 2.0
- Check that all required fields have translations
- Ensure files are saved with UTF-8 encoding
Best Practices for Success
Planning Phase:- Language Priority: Start with languages most needed by your user base
- Content Readiness: Finalize all field names before enabling translations
- Resource Planning: Budget for professional translation if needed
- User Communication: Inform users about upcoming language support
- Phased Rollout: Enable one language at a time to manage quality
- Quality Control: Review all AI translations before making them live
- User Testing: Have native speakers test the translated interface
- Feedback Collection: Establish channels for translation feedback
- Regular Reviews: Schedule periodic translation quality assessments
- User Feedback Integration: Continuously improve based on user input
- Professional Updates: Refresh professional translations periodically
- Documentation: Maintain records of translation decisions and changes
By implementing the Languages feature, you can make your Elementum apps accessible to users worldwide, improving user experience and expanding your app’s reach to global teams and customers.