

Localization is an important part of any software development project. With SimpleLocalize, you can easily localize your application and make sure that it is accessible to users all over the world. In this article, we'll share with you our tips and tricks on using SimpleLocalize. So if you are looking for ways to improve your localization process, then read on!

SimpleLocalize provides an in-app localization tools and interface designed with the goal of simplifying the localization process for everyone involved, from developers to translators. It will guide you through the localization of your app and stand by your side when reaching new clients.

Below, you can find our list of tips and tricks for efficient and effective work with translations in SimpleLocalize. These are some tips for the UI adjustments that help you customize the translation layout and adjust it to your preferences. Besides, we have some tips for developers regarding translation hosting or project translation versioning. Let's go!

## Table of contents

## Hide the top bar on the project page

Translation can be a challenging job. It requires knowledge, precision, and an understanding of not only words and grammar, but also context, culture, and people. When facing a problematic term or phrase, sometimes you need to delve into the work or phrase and forget everything else.

SimpleLocalize comes to help you to focus on your work. Open the app in full screen and work on translations only. Use the option to hide the top bar on the project page to view translations in full size.
It is a good option if you don't use the top bar a lot and want to clear up your workspace.

![Hide top bar option in settings](/blog/hide-top-bar-option-settings.png)

![View comparison with and without top bar](/blog/hidden-top-bar.jpg)


## Auto-translation: exclusion dialects

Automatic translation is one of the most used features of SimpleLocalize. As useful and easy it is to translate our texts automatically, the translation services like Google Translate or DeepL do not know everything nor read our minds (so far).

They can greatly help in translating software, yet we need to indicate them which parts we do not want them to translate. Chunks of code, given names or even our project name: these elements we do not want to change to other languages, they would lose their function and meaning.

With **exclusion dialects**, you can indicate to a translation service which and in what way you mark such texts in your translations or source language. There are three options of exclusion dialect used during auto-translation:
- none → everything is translated
- simple → texts in brackets `{}`, `[]`, `()`, or `<>` are excluded from being translated to another language
- ICU → for more advanced translation matching using [ICU formatting](/blog/posts/what-is-icu/).

The default option is Simple exclusion dialect, but you can change it according to your project needs.

![Exclusion dialect for auto-translation](/blog/translation-exclusion-dialects.png)

Additionally, you can **exclude selected words or whole phrases from automatic translation**. Put there your project name or any given name you use, to make sure it won't be translated to another language!

![Exclude words from auto-translation](/blog/translation-excluded-words-or-phrases.png)

## Incorporate webhooks to store translations on your hosting

There is no better nor easier way to automate the translation management workflow than using webhooks. [Incorporating webhooks with SimpleLocalize](/docs/general/webhooks/) allows for automatic updates of translations stored on your hosting platform.

By setting up a webhook in SimpleLocalize and configuring it to trigger on translation updates, the hosting platform can be updated with the latest translations without manual intervention. This ensures that your application always displays the most up-to-date translations.

Add webhooks for your project in the Integrations tab to take full advantage of translation automation. Get notified, update or read translations and let SimpleLocalize work for you with webhook automations.

![Webhooks sample setup](/blog/webhook-settings.png)

## Version projects using backups

SimpleLocalize allows you to create different versions of your translation projects and store them in the cloud for easy access. This way, you can always track the changes made to each version so that you know exactly when something has been updated or modified. You can also quickly restore any version with just a few clicks, making sure that all your translations are up-to-date and accurate.

Create a backup of the current translation status for your project and name it with your version. It will help you to identify the project status. Use it for regular versioning, e.g., 2.1.0, or use it for creating different translation versions for your customers' specific needs.

![translation project backup list](/blog/backup-list.png)

Restore the selected version with one click to apply it to the existing project or create a new project from it without unneeded copying of project files.

![restore translation project version](/blog/restore-backup.png)

## Change language order

A simple yet significant change for translators. If you (like me) find it hard to work with not ordered lists, this easy option will make your life complete and balanced.

After importing translations to SimpleLocalize, you can find languages in different order. If it bothers you, then fear no more. Go to the Languages tab and simply drag and drop the languages in the list to the desired order.

![Change languages order](/blog/change-language-order.mp4)

Now, the languages will appear in selected order in all views. Now you can work and translate in peace of mind. ☀️


## Keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are a great way to speed up your work.
They allow you to perform actions without having to use your mouse.
SimpleLocalize has a few keyboard shortcuts that can help you work faster and more efficiently.

Check out our [keyboard shortcuts blog post](/blog/posts/translation-editor-keyboard-shortcuts/) to learn how to use them.

![Going to next or previous translation within the same language using keyboard shortcuts](/blog/keyboard-shortcuts/list-view-jump-to-next-translation-for-language.mp4)

## Final thoughts

We hope that these tips and tricks will help you to improve your localization workflow and make it more efficient.
If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact us at [contact@simplelocalize.io](mailto:contact@simplelocalize.io).

Remember to check this post regularly as we will be updating it with new tips and tricks!


SimpleLocalize: Tips & Tricks


In this blog post, I will describe to you the most powerful feature of SimpleLocalize, the translation editor. 
It is an essential tool that helps managers, developers and translators in website, app, or any other type of digital content translations.

Localization became one of the most important steps in expanding customer bases and reaching to more people all around the world in their local language. 
It's a considerable task, but SimpleLocalize can help you to simplify the process and support you in daily translations work with great tools, that I describe below.

## Translations view

SimpleLocalize provides with two different views for editing translations. Each of them has specific features and is adjusted to user's role.

### Table View

Table view is a simple, and  at the same time powerful, default spreadsheet-like view. It can store thousands of keys and translations in multiple languages. 
It is easy to use for any type of user. To start translating, simply click on text input and enter your translation in the selected language.

![Translation manager table view](/assets/features/simple-translation-manager-table-view.jpg)

You can customize the table view with different options, to make your work more efficient. All view options you can find in the Settings button in the top-right corner of the table.

#### Languages filter
By default, the table will display all project languages. If you are a translator, you can select only languages that you need for your work, for example, source and target languages.


![Translation manager languages filter](/assets/features/translation-manager-filter-languages.jpg)

#### Key descriptions
Have you ever encountered a problem with locating the translation key and finding out where was it placed in your app? Key descriptions are great help in such cases. 

You can put some help text there, or even add a link to a screenshot with key location! The link with a screenshot of the location will be clickable, and it will open in a new tab automatically. **Key description will add more information and context to the key and save translators time**, so they don't need to search for details or ask other team members for guidance.

![Translation manager translation key descriptions](/assets/features/translation-manager-key-description-for-translators.jpg)

If you are using descriptions directly in your source code, you can also show them in the editor with **Code Description** option from view settings. 

#### Number of characters
Fitting translation texts in different languages to a fixed width element on your website or app, can be a challenging task. Use description column to determine maximum number of characters for keys in problematic locations, and translators will see their text characters count in the editor! 

![Characters count indicator in translation manager](/assets/features/translation-manager-characters-count.jpg)

Save time on counting characters, checking if texts fit well enough. Translation text summary setting in SimpleLocalize will help you control such cases from the start.

#### Auto-translation indicator
Have you already tried the [auto-translation feature](/blog/posts/how-to-use-auto-translation/)? It's **a great help in speeding-up the translation process** for all users! When a key is auto-translated, you can use the option to show the auto-translation indicator near the affected text area. It will look like this, showing the translation service:

![Auto-translation indicator in translation manager](/assets/features/translation-manager-auto-translation-indicator.jpg)

With that option, you can see which keys were auto-translated and need to be verified. Editing such a translation manually will remove the auto-translation indicator. Use that feature to revise and confirm your translations with ease!

#### Search and sort your keys
Do you care only about new or not translated keys? Use sort option to quickly see the newest keys, recently modified translations or missing ones! Search bar will help you find a key or translation text. Those simple filters help in your daily work, when you need to update specific translations, or add and translate new keys.

![Search and sort translation keys](/assets/features/translation-manager-sort-and-search-translations.jpg)

### List View

If you need a **simple list of all keys with their properties and translations**, switch to List View. It's a great option for more advanced projects that require specific information about the key or translation, like when it was created or its source file.

List view contains the list of keys separated in rows. You can expand each key to see translations for each language, key description and information when the key was created or last seen.

![SimpleLocalize translation list view](/assets/features/translation-manager-list-view.jpg)

Another option for the list view is **Side-by-side view**. It splits the view into two columns, so you can see two languages at one. Set the source at the left and target language on the ride side of the view. Below, you can show more information like key details, key or code descriptions.

![SimpleLocalize translation list view](/assets/translation-editor-interface-side-by-side.png)


#### See all your keys

In this view, you can see all your project keys at once, and it's a great option for bigger projects, as it can easily store and display multiple keys. In just one view, you can see the progress of translations to all languages for each key and quickly check translations for selected language with  view options.

![Quick translations reviewing](/assets/features/translation-manager-for-quick-review.jpg)

Moreover, list view has options to **sort and search translations**, as it works in table view.

#### For longer texts

List view is a **great option for translating longer texts**. In view settings, you make text areas bigger and choose the option to wrap text, so you can see all content without scrolling or expanding the area manually.

![Translation editor for long translations](/assets/features/translation-manager-for-long-translations.jpg)

The option to show text summary with number of characters, words and white spaces will help you to control the text length.

#### Key namespace for multi-file translations

If you are using [translations uploaded from multiple files](/docs/cli/upload-translations/), the list view can show you the key namespace (like file path). With that option, you can see from which file the key was uploaded, and that is very useful when you want to upload only the keys from your landing page (one of multiple folders) or from just one language.

![Translation management and namespaces](/assets/features/multi-file-namespaces.jpg)

Learn more about [uploading and downloading translation files with CLI and multi-file option](/blog/posts/multi-file-upload-download/).

#### Customer-specific translations

List view gives you an option to **translate your keys in multiple versions for one language**. This feature, [customer-specific translations](/blog/posts/customer-specific-translations/), allow creating different translation version for specific customer's need. With that feature, you can tailor your app to your customer's needs or requirements, without changing the text and their meaning for other users of your product.   

![Customer specific translations](/assets/features/translation-for-every-customer.jpg)

## Translation management

Wondering how to start with SimpleLocalize? [Sign in with our free community plan](/register/) and [upload your translations](/docs/general/import/). You can do it by importing an Excel file, with API or CLI. With your keys in the system, you can start translating them, adding more languages and sharing the project with your team. [Use auto-translation feature](/docs/general/auto-translation/) to quickly translate your keys to new languages. 

For any doubts, contact Jakub, the creator of SimpleLocalize at jakub@simplelocalize.io.


Translation Hosting

SimpleLocalize CLI

REST API

Auto-translation

Alternative translations

Translators

SimpleLocalize: Tips & Tricks

Translation Editor Explained