This article will guide you through the process of effectively utilizing multilingual files in your Bureau Works projects.

1. Introduction
2. Requirements
2.1 Notes
3. Creating a project using a multilingual file
4. Translating a multilingual project
5. Downloading the translated multilingual file

1. Introduction

A multilingual file is a digital file that contains text or data in more than one language. These files often utilize specific formatting or coding to separate content by language.

Working with a multilingual file in your project can expedite the process of translating the same content into multiple different languages, as we can use a single file in project creation, work on translating multiple work units, and then download a single file containing all the translations, minimizing the need for pre- and post-manual file processing.

Currently, Bureau Works projects support multilingual files in .xlsx format only.

2. Requirements

In order for a .xlsx to properly function as a multilingual file in Bureau Works, some parameters have to be observed.

The multilingual file will work based on the sheet columns, making each column a different language. In addition to marking the option for a multilingual file, the file requirements are as follows:

The column letter corresponding to each language must be specified.
If multiple sheets exist within the same file, their names must be correctly defined.

2.1 Notes

Source and target language column order is irrelevant.
Each target language reads only its corresponding content column.
Downloading from any target language with complete work units (WUs) generates a file containing all translated languages.
If the project has more target languages than the spreadsheet, Bureau Works creates corresponding units, and the translated content will be placed in the column informed in the multilingual parameters.
If the project lacks a locale from the spreadsheet, the corresponding column remains unchanged in the .xlsx.
If the file contains multiple sheets, their content is consolidated into a single work unit per language.
If the file contains multiple sheets, their names must be entered correctly. Any inaccuracies will result in errors during work unit creation.

3. Creating a project using a multilingual file

Once you have prepared your multilingual .xlsx file according to the guidelines outlined above, you can proceed to create a new project in Bureau Works. You can read more on project creation in our corresponding article: How to create a translation project in Bureau Works.

Create a new project and fill in the necessary information on Step 1. In this step, carefully select the target languages to guarantee correct translation of multilingual content.

On Step 2, upload your multilingual file.

Once the file completes its upload, click on it to expand its parameters.

With the expanded parameters, the Multilingual File option must be selected.

This step is essential for the correct creation of the project. It is from this point that the process of creating work units for each language and subsequently recomposing the translated file will be successfully carried out.

This will enable a more detailed setting of the file, where we will have mandatory fields and optional ones. Please see below:

Sheet Name: Inform the sheet name. This is required only when there are multiple sheets. If there is only one sheet, this field can be left blank.
Excluded Rows: It is possible to remove specific rows from being read and appearing in the editor. This can be used to exclude rows containing code locales, titles, or any content that does not require translation.
Excluded Columns: Specify any columns that should be ignored during processing. This is useful if the file contains metadata, IDs, or other non-translatable information.
Source Column: Define where the source content is located in the file. This field is mandatory, as it tells the system which column contains the original text.
Target Columns: Indicate the columns where the translated content should be placed. Each language will be assigned to a different column, ensuring proper multilingual file structure.
Remove Configuration: Deletes the current configuration. Use this if you need to reset or remove an existing setup.
Add Configuration: Adds a new multilingual configuration for another sheet. This is useful when working with multiple sheets in a single file.
Save: Remember to save your changes to apply the multilingual file configuration successfully.

For this article, I’ll be using this setting as an example:

Complete the project creation.

4. Translating a multilingual project

When translating a multilingual project, you will notice that a separate work unit has been generated for each target language specified during creation.

It is also possible to verify the parsing configuration used for each work unit by checking their filter settings.

This ensures that the predefined settings, such as excluded rows and source column mapping, are correctly applied, maintaining consistency in the translation workflow.

When opening a work unit in the editor, it is possible to observe how Bureau Works processes multilingual files based on the selected configuration. The first row, containing headers such as "Name," was correctly excluded according to the predefined parameters, ensuring that translation begins from the second row. As a result, the system processes translatable content starting with "For Agencies" under the key Sheet1!C2.

Additionally, the source column was accurately identified based on the configured parameters, ensuring proper content mapping. This structured approach maintains the file’s integrity and facilitates a seamless translation process.

Continue with the standard translation workflow for your files and submit your completed tasks.

5. Downloading the translated multilingual file

To retrieve the final translated multilingual file, the process is uncomplicated. Downloading a single work unit will yield a file that encompasses all translated languages, each segregated into its corresponding column.

The file can be downloaded from the Import/Export button too. If you want to know more about that, please refer to the article Actions/Options Bar: Import/Export.

When requesting the download of the translated file, it will include any segments that have not yet been confirmed, streamlining the process.