Translation settings in SmartSimple include the Language Library, which stores translations for built-in string values, and custom field Language Settings, which define translatable field properties, Values syntax, and XML Builder configuration.
It is recommended that global administrators enable the new syntax. Locate the System Options section in Global Settings, and toggle Enable New Variable Syntax Set on.
Language Library Fields
Each Language Library entry includes these fields.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Label | The text string to translate. |
| Language | The language of the translation. SmartSimple compares it to the user's language preference to determine whether the translation applies. |
| Translation | The translated text to display for the specified string in the selected language. |
| URL | Restricts the translation to a specific page. Useful when the same string requires different meanings in different contexts. If the field is blank, the translation applies globally across all pages. |
Text Strings Containing a Variable
Strings that contain both text and variables require special handling. This primarily affects settings pages. Translation Audit Mode, which is available to internal SmartSimple staff only, can identify these strings.
Translate Strings with Variables
Strings with text wrapped in @ symbols require two separate Language Library entries.
Example
Translation Audit Mode displays the original text Enable and manage standard fields for my level 1 in this format.
[*Enable and manage standard fields for @value:my level 1@*]
Enter two entries in the Language Library.
Example
The first entry contains the text and the variable placeholder.
New syntax
Enable and manage standard fields for {{value}}Old syntax
Enable and manage standard fields for @value@
Example
The second entry supplies the text that replaces the variable placeholder.
my level 1
value. Make sure the key has no spaces inside the symbols around it, for example:New syntax
{{value}} or {{company}}Old syntax
@value@ or @company@
SSTranslate
SSTranslate is a built-in SmartSimple function that translates blocks of text in a Web Page View field.
Use ssTranslate syntax to designate text blocks that the Language Library processes:
New syntax
{{ssTranslate(text)}}Old syntax
<ssTranslate>text</ssTranslate>
Grammatical Gender
Some SmartSimple text references configurable terminology, such as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 names, types, and statuses. Certain languages have grammatical gender, and the system defaults to masculine gender for terms.
Because configurable text varies, a global grammatical gender override is not possible for text that includes configurable terminology. It is recommended to override gender in the translation itself rather than through placeholders.
Grammatical Gender in French
The value placeholder in a Language Library entry stands for the configured term.
Example
This entry translates the phrase New followed by the configured term.
New syntax
Label: New {{value}}
Translation: Nouveau {{value}}Old syntax
Label: New @value@ Translation: Nouveau @value@
The result depends on the configured term:
- Correct if the configured term is
Payment, because its French translation,Paiement, is masculine. - Incorrect if the configured term is plural, such as
Payments. This translates toNouveaux Paiements. Add a Language Library entry forNew PaiementsasNouveaux Paiements. - Incorrect if the configured term is
Request. Its French translation,Requête, is feminine and would translate toNouvelle Requête. Add Language Library entries forNew RequêteasNouvelle Requêteand forNew DemandesasNouvelles Demandesfor the plural form.
Page X of Y Navigation Label
Translate the Page X of Y navigation label with this syntax:
New syntax
Page {{PN}} of {{PT}}Old syntax
Page @PN@ of @PT@
Create a Language Library entry for this string in each required language. For example, the Spanish translation would replace Page, @PN@, of, and @PT@ with their Spanish equivalents.
Translatable Custom Field Settings
The settings available for translation depend on the custom field type. The table lists all possible translatable settings.
| Setting | Description | Applicable Field Types |
|---|---|---|
| Caption | The introductory question or description that precedes the field. | All field types |
| Tab Name | The label for an alternative Navigation tab where the field appears. | Fields that appear on Navigation tabs |
| Default Text | The default text prepopulated in the text box. | Single Line, Multiple Lines |
| Values | The options that appear in the combo box or check boxes, separated by semicolons without spaces. | Combo Box, Check Boxes |
| Validation Message | The message that appears when field data fails validation. | All field types |
| Maximum Message | The message that appears when field text reaches the maximum character length. | Single Line, Multiple Lines |
| Number Format | The format in which numerical values display. | Number fields |
| Tool Tip | Help text that appears on mouse-over. | All field types |
Values: StoreValue=DisplayValue Syntax
Translated Combo Box and Check Box fields use the StoreValue=DisplayValue syntax to keep the value stored in the database consistent regardless of the display language. Without this syntax, stored values can differ across languages, which can cause data loss or inconsistency.
The StoreValue=DisplayValue syntax uses this structure:
StoreValue1=DisplayValue1;StoreValue2=DisplayValue2;StoreValue3=DisplayValue3;
- The value before the equals sign is the stored value, which SmartSimple saves to the database.
- The value after the equals sign is the display value, which appears in the combo box or check boxes. SmartSimple does not save it.
English as the Stored Value
Use the English option text as the stored value. This is recommended.
Example
The primary, English, field contains plain values.
--Please Select--;Yes;No
Example
The French Language Settings entry uses StoreValue=DisplayValue syntax.
--Please Select--=--Sélectionner--;Yes=Oui;No=Non
With this approach, the stored value is always the English text.
Code or Abbreviation as the Stored Value
Use a code or abbreviation as the stored value.
Example
The primary, English, field uses codes as the stored values.
-=--Please Select--;1=Yes;2=No
Example
The French Language Settings entry keeps the same codes with French display values.
-=--Sélectionner--;1=Oui;2=Non
This method stores numeric codes regardless of language. It can also store abbreviated values.
Example
The stored values are High, Medium, or Low, while users see the full descriptive text.
High=Excellent (exceeds expectations);Medium=Okay (sufficient, but not great);Low=Poor (unacceptable)
XML Builder Translations
For custom fields that use the XML Builder, configure a separate section for each language in the section builder. In the Language Settings for each language, reference the section that corresponds to that language.