How to Translate the Plugin to Other Languages: A Step-by-Step Guide

Description:

If you need to translate a WordPress plugin into another language, you can do so easily using the translation files and some helpful tools. This guide will walk you through the process of translating the plugin step by step.

Step 1: Locate the .pot File in the Plugin

1. Find the Translation File: Inside the plugin folder, there is a languages folder. In this folder, you will find a file called custom-product-boxes.pot.
   • The .pot (Portable Object Template) file is a template for all the text strings in the plugin that are available for translation.

Step 2: Create .po and .mo Files

2. Generate Translation Files: Using the .pot file, you can create two types of files:
   • .po (Portable Object): This file contains the translated text in your language. You will translate the text strings in the .po file.
   • .mo (Machine Object): This is a compiled version of the .po file that WordPress reads to apply the translations.
   To generate the .po and .mo files:
   • You can use translation software like Poedit or Loco Translate (explained below).
   • Open the .pot file in Poedit or similar tools and start translating the text into your language.
   • Once you’ve completed the translation, save the file. The software will automatically create both .po and .mo files.
   • Place the .po and .mo files back into the plugin’s languages folder.

Step 3: Using the Loco Translate Plugin for Easier Translation

3. Install Loco Translate: If you prefer an easier, more user-friendly method, you can use the Loco Translate plugin. This plugin allows you to manage translations directly from your WordPress dashboard.
   • Go to Plugins in your WordPress admin panel and click Add New.
   • Search for Loco Translate, install, and activate the plugin.
4. Translate with Loco Translate:
   • After activating Loco Translate, go to the plugin’s settings in the WordPress dashboard.
   • Find the plugin you want to translate (in this case, Custom Product Boxes).
   • Click on the plugin and select your desired language.
   • Loco Translate will display all the text strings from the plugin, and you can start translating each string into your chosen language.
   • Once you finish translating, Loco Translate will automatically generate the .po and .mo files and store them in the correct location.

Step 4: Verify the Translation

5. Check Your Translations:
   • After completing the translation, clear any cache (if you are using a caching plugin) and reload your site to ensure the translations are applied.
   • Go to the parts of your website where the plugin is used to verify that the translated text is showing correctly.

Additional Resources

If you’re new to translating plugins, you can refer to the detailed guide on using Loco Translate for plugin translations in this article.

Summary of the Steps:

1. Locate the .pot file in the plugin’s languages folder.
   
2. Use the .pot file to generate .po and .mo translation files using Poedit or similar tools.
   
3. For easier translation, install and use the Loco Translate plugin.
   
4. After translating, ensure that the translated text appears correctly on your website.

This method allows you to easily translate any plugin into your language without needing to touch the plugin’s core files.