WPML 4.4 Beta – Big Usability Improvements for String Translation

Today we released the beta version for WPML 4.4.0. This release includes major updates to String Translation to make finding, registering, and translating strings easier than ever.

Our String Translation improvements for this beta focus on three main areas:

• The main String Translation interface
• The screen to register admin strings
• Integration between String Translation and the Advanced Translation Editor

Check out the short video below for a walkthrough of these improvements:

String Translation Interface

It’s now easier to see the translation statuses of your strings at a glance. String Translation uses the familiar icons seen in other parts of WPML to let you know which strings need to be updated, which need translations, and which are in progress.

Simply click the + icon to translate a string into each of your secondary languages. You can use the Tab key on your keyboard to save your translations and move between languages.

Faster Translation With Fewer Clicks

One of the major improvements to the interface is that there are fewer clicks between you and your translated strings.

Before, it took 7 clicks to translate a string into two languages:

1. Click Translations.
2. Click the text box and enter the translation for the first language.
3. Click Translation is complete.
4. Click Save.
5. Click the text box and enter the translation for the next language.
6. Click Translation is complete.
7. Click Save.

All of this can now be done with just one click:

1. Click the + icon.

You can then immediately type your translation and use the Tab key on your keyboard to move between languages. Your translations are automatically saved when you hit Tab or Enter.

BEFORE

NOW

[caption id="attachment_6734221" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Multiple clicks to translate strings[/caption]

BEFORE

[caption id="attachment_6734251" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Translate your strings with only one click[/caption]

NOW

Admin Strings

If you can’t find a string you’re looking to translate in String Translation, chances are you’ll find them in the Admin Strings screen. This is now more intuitive to get to by expanding the Can’t find the strings you’re looking to translate? dropdown. Click Choose texts for translation to get to the list of strings.

This list is also much easier to load and search thanks to pagination and a text search box.

Developers will appreciate that you can now also generate code snippets to use directly in your custom XML configuration.

Integration With WPML’s Advanced Translation Editor

String Translation is now integrated with the Advanced Translation Editor. This means you and your translators can now enjoy translation memory, automatic translation, and more when translating strings.

Select the strings you would like to translate and add them to the Translation Basket. Then assign the translation job to your local translator.

Your local translators can find the jobs in WPML → Translations.

Translation jobs open in the Advanced Translation Editor where you can translate strings manually or use automatic translation to speed up the process.

Installing the Beta Version

There are two ways of downloading this beta: manually or through the beta channel.

Please note: This software is still in development. We do not recommend installing this version on a production site.

Installing Manually

Go to your WPML Downloads page. In the Choose Channel dropdown, select Beta. Download the ZIP file and add it to your site.

Installing Through the Beta Channel

Go to the Plugins page, click the Add New button and then click the Commercial tab.

Under the Updates channel option, use the dropdown menu to switch to the Beta channel. Finally, click the Switch button in the dialog that appears. See our documentation for more details.

Let Us Know What You Think!

Give the WPML 4.4.0 Beta release a try, and leave your feedback in the comments below. We look forward to hearing from you!