# Translation manager

> Translate IS Tools fields, tables, menu items, and form names into other languages using the Translation manager (Application translations) form.

Other administrative forms > Translation manager

This form allows the application administrator to translate items within the current application, such as fields, tables, the menu and forms.

> **Note:**
> 
> Find the Translation manager form in the navigation menu as **Application translations**. Otherwise, add it with the [Menu editor](menu_configuration.md).

To start translating, select one of the following options in the **Type to translate** drop-down at the top of this form:

-   **_Field info_**. Note that an option must be chosen for the second drop-down too, in order to display a list of fields to be translated. This includes table fields, lists of values in drop-down fields, fields as headings in reports, ungrouped fields (e.g., import template names, conventional rule names and form rule names, labels in forms and record group names) and a few system fields (the access **Levels** in the [Field rights](field_rights.md) form and [system defined fields](field_types.md#System_defined_fields)). Also, a **Description** checkbox is available which, if ticked, displays a different list of text boxes to be translated, corresponding to the **Description** setting entered in the [Data model editor](data_model_editor.md) when fields were configured; empty boxes displayed on the left side of the form imply that a description has not been provided.

-   **_Table info_**. Displays table names to be translated. A **Description** checkbox is available which, if ticked, displays a different list of text boxes to be translated, corresponding to the **Description** setting entered in the [Data model editor](data_model_editor.md) when tables were configured; empty boxes displayed on the left side of the form imply that a description has not been provided.

-   **_Menu_**. Displays all the items of the navigation menu (except for icons, **Switch application** and **Menu configuration** entries). Note that the items are formatted in a special way: labels are italic, folder are bold and links are underlined.

-   **_Forms_**. Displays form names and/or section headings, depending on the option chosen for the second drop-down. Empty boxes displayed on the left side of the form imply that there are sections without heading name.

Then, select a language in the **Translate from** drop-down (usually English, which is the server default language) and also select a language in the **Translate to** drop-down, which is the new language to which the application will be translate to.

After this, enter the translated text into the boxes on the right side of the form (i.e., under the **Translation** section) for each corresponding item to the left (i.e., under the **Text** section). Once finished, click the **Save** button, located at the bottom of the form.

> **Caution:**
> 
> Do not intend to display other item list or select any other option while you are entering translations that have not been saved. Otherwise, the information will be lost since the form will be reset. Click the **Save** button instead, every time translation is entered.

To translate _system items_ (e.g., buttons, pop-up messages, etc., that can be translated with the **Multi lingual translation system**) or to add a _new language_, please contact our support team or the server administrator.

> **Note:**
> 
> Important notes regarding languages:
> 
> -   The _English_ and _Swedish_ languages are always available as options when initializing the application.
>     
> -   Once a language is translated, select it in the **Permitted languages** setting of the [Application preferences](application_preferences.md) form, in order to make it available for users in the **Language** setting of the [User settings](user_settings.md) form, and also in the [User administration](user_administration.md) form.
>     
> -   If the intention is to have the new translation as the application’s **Default language** (also a setting of the [Application preferences](application_preferences.md) form), it is _very important_ that the administrator’s user account is set to the same language in his [User settings](user_settings.md) form, in order to keep configuring future items of the application in this language. In fact, it is highly recommended that all configuration implemented on the application is made in this language, preferably from the beginning. Otherwise, changing the default language at a later stage will represent incongruence and confusion to end-users (for example, having English as default language, but still the application items shown in French) and more manual work when it comes to translations.
>     
> -   _In case the user chooses a language (in the **User settings** form) with no translation implemented yet, the [Default language](application_preferences.md#default_language) will be shown in many cases. If the **Default language** is also missing translations, an attempt to use English will be done by the system_. Read more [here](platform_limitations.md#languages_management) or contact IS Tools support if you want help with translations.
>     

**Other features**

The **Reset** button will revert any non-saved changes.

The **Copy text** button will copy the text on the left hand side, and replace whatever was in the right hand side with the copied text. This is useful, for instance, if most of the fields can be reused in the source language.

The **Copy only new text** button will copy only the text from the left hand side where the corresponding translation on the right hand side is empty.