Polylang – How to Translate and Import Post Categories in Bulk

We’ve already shown you how to import Polylang post translations easily. In this tutorial, we will show you how to translate and import post categories using the Polylang plugin and an intuitive spreadsheet.

Note – This process works with all taxonomy terms (categories, tags, custom taxonomies, WooCommerce attributes, etc.)

The process will be very simple, as you will be able to export the source language categories to Excel or Google Sheets, apply the changes easily in Excel or Google Sheets, and then import the category translations quickly using a very easy and intuitive import tool.

This way, you won’t have to open and edit all categories one by one to add translations to other languages manually. You can do it automatically using the WP Sheet Editor plugin.

With this plugin, you will be able to view and manage your categories and tags from an intuitive spreadsheet. You can do advanced searches using any field as search criteria. You can also apply bulk changes to any field. And of course, you can easily export, translate, and import.

Just follow these steps to translate and import category translations:

Step 1. Install the WP Sheet Editor plugin and extension

Besides installing the plugin, you need to download and install the WP Sheet Editor – Polylang extension, which will add full compatibility between WP Sheet Editor and Polylang.

Step 2. Open the post categories spreadsheet

Once you install the plugin and the extension, you can go to WP Sheet Editor > Edit categories, tags, attributes, taxonomies.

Once there, you need to click Edit Categories to open the categories spreadsheet.

Step 3. Select the spreadsheet language

WP Sheet Editor will show the categories on the spreadsheet according to the Polylang language you select on the top bar.

For example, you can see we have some categories when we select the English language.

However, we don’t have any categories when we select the Spanish language.

If you right-scroll on the spreadsheet, you will see that our extension will create the following two columns:

• Polylang: Language – This column will show you the category language.
• Polylang: Translation of – This column will show you the source category, that is, the category from which it was translated.

Step 4. Export the categories you will translate

In this example, we will translate the English categories into Spanish, so we need to select the English language on the spreadsheet in order to export the categories to Excel or Google Sheets.

Just hit Export on the top toolbar.

Now you need to configure the export to select the columns you will export and the app you’ll use to edit the CSV file:

• What columns do you want to export: Select active columns
• Which rows do you want to export: All the rows from my current search
• What app will you use to edit this file (optional): Select the software you will use to edit the CSV.
• Name of this export (optional): You can enter any name to save these options for future exports.
• Click Start new export.

Step 5. Translate the categories using Excel or Google Sheets

Once you download the CSV containing your English categories (or any language you select), you need to apply some changes to the CSV file to translate the categories correctly.

First, you need to change the value on the Polylang: Language column from English into Español.

Second, you need to copy the values in the Full hierarchy column and paste them on the Polylang: Translation of column.

Third, you need to delete the values in the record_id column.

Fourth, you need to translate the Name and Slug columns.

Fifth, you need to translate Full hierarchy column.

Once you apply all these changes, you’ll have translated all your categories, and you can proceed to save changes and import all the category translations.

Step 6. Import the Polylang post category translations

Once you’re ready to import the Spanish translations, you need to change the language on the categories spreadsheet.

After that, open the Import tool, which will allow you to easily upload the post category translations.

Once you open the Import tool, you need to select the following values to upload the CSV containing the Polylang post category translations:

• Source: CSV file from my computer
• CSV File: Click Choose File and select the CSV from your computer.
• Click Next.

After that, click Import all the columns.

Now you need to select Import all rows as new and click Next.

After that, you’ll see a preview of how the categories will look imported. If everything is OK, you need to click The preview is fine, start import.

Once the import process is completed, you will see all the new Polylang translations on the spreadsheet.

Done!

WP Sheet Editor allows you to quickly export all the categories to Excel or Google Sheets. Also, you can easily create Polylang category translations by editing the downloaded CSV. Once you apply all the necessary changes, you can easily import the Polylang translations with a few clicks. This way, you don’t need to open and edit the categories one by one. Changes will be applied quickly.