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How to translate strings from gettext .po files

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To manage gettext strings localization with POEditor, all you need is your source .po or .pot file(s). If you have that, follow the steps below to use our localization management platform to localize your software to your desired target languages.

1. Create translation project

Log in to your POEditor account (if you don't have one, you can create one for free here), add a new project in your Dashboard and add your software's source language to it.

2. Import gettext .po file

Use the Import functionality in the project page to import the strings (msgids) from your .po or .pot file as terms in your localization project.

If your msgids are keys and not the strings in the source language, use the option Also import translations to a language to add the source strings from msgstr to the source language in your POEditor project (they will be imported as translations). Then set this language as Default Reference Language in the project's settings.

Import Terms page - POEditor translation management system

3. Translate PO strings

Add your desired languages for translation, invite your contributors to join and start localizing your PO files. There are also other translation options you can choose from.

Whenever you wish, you can export your .po file using the Export function from in the Translation pages.

If you want to automate the import/export steps of the localization process, consider using the POEditor API or one of the integrations with code hosting platforms.

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