Translating Content for Multi-Language

When creating translations for your WalkMe content, the first step is to add a new language to your Language List in WalkMe Admin.

To add a language, proceed as follows:

1. Go to WalkMe Admin: console.walkme.com.
2. On the left, select Multi-Language.
3. Next, select My Languages.
   Note

   Double-check the drop-down(s) in the upper right to make sure you are working in the correct system.

   

   The figure shows the Multi-Language My Languages page in the Admin Center. You can switch systems by using the drop-down in the top right.

4. Select the blue + button in the upper right.
5. Select your Language from the drop down list. The Display name, ISO code and Custom Identifier for the language will auto-populate. The Display name is the name the end users will see, where as the Custom Identifier is used during the implementation phase.
   Note

   If necessary, you can edit the Display Name and Custom Identifier. However, Custom Identifiers may contain alphanumeric characters only (that is., letters or numbers) and hyphens. Examples are es or ES for Spanish. Custom Identifiers are case sensitive as well which will be important during the implementation phase if you are using either the Auto-Toggle or Language Push (API) methods.

   Watch the video to know more. Note that the video doesn't support audio.
6. Show in Player is toggled on by default. If you would like the language selection dropdown to be visible to the user in the Player Menu so they can select the language manually, this must be toggled on.

   If you plan on implementing Auto-Toggle to automatically select the language for the user, this setting is optional.

   Watch the video to know more. Note that the video doesn't support audio.

   If the Show In Player option is checked, the language selection drop-down will be available to the user in the top right of the Player Menu. Click the image to enlarge, then click the image again to close.

7. If you want to copy over a translation from another language you've added, select the check box and choose that language from the Copy From drop-down.
8. Click Add Language.

With this method of translation, you do not need to export any files, and it is best for when you are translating one or two languages internally, or want to quickly translate a small amount of existing content after making text updates.

For more than two languages, we advise using the export to Excel or export to XLIFF method, which is discussed in the next section.

Here, we'll review how to manually translate your content.

1. Go to the Console, console.walkme.com.
2. Navigate to Multi-Language → Translations in the left navigation menu.
3. In the panel that appears on the left, select the WalkMe content you want to translate.
4. After selecting the piece(s) of content, on the right, a panel with empty text fields will appear for translations.

   The figure shows that you can make selections in the left panel to populate content to be translated in the right panel.

   The WalkMe General section can be found at the top of the left panel on the Translations page. This is where you can translate text for custom Launchers and SmartTip icons, along with Player Menu text, buttons, and other miscellaneous text prompts that users may encounter.

   

   Each language displays in its own column to the right of the default language.

   To view only selected languages, you can use the drop-down in the top right.

   Watch the video to know more. Note that the video doesn't support audio.
5. Add your translations to the fields.

   Watch the video to know more. Note that the video doesn't support audio.

   Select the language at the top of the column and click the arrow keys to cycle through the translated Smart Walk-Thru balloons. Click the gif to enlarge.

   Once your translations have been added, you can click the language name or eye icon at the top of the language's column to preview how that WalkMe item will appear in that language to your users.

6. After adding your translations, go into the Editor and publish every single WalkMe item for which translations were added to the appropriate environment(s).
   Note

   A Settings Publish alone is NOT sufficient, each piece of WalkMe content with a translation will need to be published to the environment where you expect the translations to appear.

Before exporting files for translation, finalize the text of your WalkMe content in the default language. Once you export the files, content should be considered locked. After this point, refrain from making changes in the Editor to any content in your exported files as this could cause an error when importing the files.

Use the following instructions to export your translation files.

1. Go to the Admin Center, console.walkme.com.
2. On the left, select Multi-Language → Export.
3. Select the WalkMe items you wish to export from the left hand panel.
4. Then, choose the Language, Environment, Status, Include In File option, and Format for the exported content.
   • The Export Language is the language you are creating translations for; create separate export files for each language.
   • Include In File is an optional filter to include only specific text fields to export.
     • Empty values: Export will only include fields where the translations are blank for the Export language.
     • Equal to default language: Export will only include fields where the Export language matches the default language.
5. Click Export and your file should begin downloading momentarily.

   A below video demonstrates steps 1 through 5 mentioned above. Watch it to know more. Note that the video doesn't support audio.

6. Translate your content!
   Note

   • XLIFF format is recommended when translating multiple languages and outsourcing translations to a translation/localization company such as POEditor or Crowdin.
   • Excel format is recommended when translating multiple languages yourself, as the Excel UI is more friendly for human interpreters.

Whether you are utilizing a translation service to translate your content or manually translating yourself, it is important to follow the guidelines below no matter which option you choose. You also have the option to use LILT within the WalkMe interface to translate your content.

Make sure to keep the exported file in the exact same format. Don't change names, tabs, columns, tags, alignment, etc.

Only add your translations to the file.

If any changes are made, the Multi-Language Import will be unable to read the file.

The figure shows an example of an Excel translation file. The highlighted portions show where to add translations. Do not alter headings, add or remove columns, alter colors or alignment, etc.

• Only export translation files once WalkMe solution(s) are final and put a freeze on changes to these solutions until files are imported back in.
• During text translation, we also recommend against making additional changes in the Editor - if additional items are created, a new .XLIFF or .XLSX file should be exported to include all updates.
• Avoid using images containing text in WalkMe items and specifically the Zambezi Widget, since these cannot be translated with Multi-Language.

Don't Translate BBcode

Make sure that you or your translating company do not translate BBcode - anything between brackets […].

Since the information between brackets provides specific instructions to the computer on what to display inside the balloon, changing or translating these instructions will break the code.

The figure shows BBCode sections highlighted. These sections should not be translated.