Translator – Edit language files

1. What does this tool edit?

Tools → Translator opens the application's interface language files. It maintains existing texts and their translations, rather than translating PDFs or PLC signal names.

Files reside in the application's Sprachen folder. Changes are not limited to the current project: other projects using this installation and its language files may display the same modified interface text.

2. Selection and language fields

Text entry

Selects an existing entry. “Ablaufschritte — Ablaufschritte” in the screenshot identifies one entry; it does not mean the text must be entered twice.

German / Source text (de-DE)

Shows the reference text, here Ablaufschritte. This field is read-only.

Target languages

Edit English (en-GB), French (fr-FR), Italian (it-IT), Spanish (es-ES), Dutch (nl-NL), Polish (pl-PL) and Portuguese (pt-PT). All fields refer to the same German source.

The status line shows the entry count and storage location. 1997 is this screenshot's count, not a fixed limit. A Windows path containing “~1” is a shortened pathname; use Open language folder to reach the actual folder.

3. Edit the Ablaufschritte example

1. Select Ablaufschritte under Text entry.
2. Read the German source and consider its use in the application. The screenshot uses Recipe steps in English and Étapes de recette in French.
3. Edit the required language. Correct translations in other fields need not be re-entered.
4. Select and edit further entries if needed. Switching entries retains prior edits in the open editor's memory.
5. Click Save language files and check the status message.
6. Select the desired interface language in Settings and inspect the actual interface.

Editing the English field does not switch the interface to English automatically. Saving reapplies the previously active interface language.

4. Empty fields and online translation

An empty target field removes that entry's custom translation. The application uses an available fallback, generally the German source. English may also use built-in English translations. Empty therefore does not mean hide the text.

The message about online translation being added later describes a planned extension. It does not promise automatic online translation in this editor. Maintain and review the fields manually rather than expecting empty fields to populate automatically.

5. The three bottom buttons

Open language folder

Opens the folder in Windows Explorer, for example to back up the language files.

Save language files

Stores the current entry and writes the language catalogues. Status confirms success or reports that at least one file could not be written.

Close

Closes the window without automatically saving the files. Save explicitly first to retain changes.

Saving the project alone is insufficient. Use Save language files to persist translations in the language folder. If saving fails, check the path and write permissions; do not assume all changes were saved.

6. Permissions and careful editing

With user management configured, opening and saving require Change project settings. The role's name alone does not determine access.

Back up the language folder before extensive changes. Preserve the meaning of alarm, safety and operation terms as well as placeholders, numbers and units. Check lengths, wrapping and buttons in the target interface. Language files belong to the application; another operator computer needs the appropriate files too.