Automatic App translations
I have got into apps lately. And with apps, to distribute in foreign markets (and get downloads!) you need translations.
But that takes a while. And can cost a lot.
So I built a tool to automatically translate the strings for you.
And I made it open for anyone to use.
You can use it here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NhGXW7tLfxbThHtoGmRgRCsiqMjwT-oKbI1JbxisqA0/edit?usp=sharing
Instructions
Setup
- Copy the spreadsheet to your own Google drive.
- Go to Extensions>Apps script
- Get a gemini API key with billing enabled. Get your API Key here
- Paste the key on the function that sets the key, save the app and run that function only.
- Google will require you authorize the app to run, select all permissions and accept.
Working
- Copy the strings you have in the setup sheet. This keeps a mirror on the strings per each locale.
- Now, navigate to any locale, e.g. Deutsch and on the toolbar click on “Translator Pro”.
- This will translate all strings for that locale.
- Do that for as many locales as you want/need.
Setting it in your App
- Download the sheet as an .xlsx format, this is important because .csv can’t have multiple sheets.
- Copy the strings for each locale in your editor of choice.
Once I have the translations, whenever I want to improve them I invite a translator to this sheet and ask him to revise for the specific language.
Extras: iOS only
If you are doing this for iOS I have written some code to:
- get the keys for “Working”, step 1 which extracts all the keys, and
- merge them in your own Localizable.xcstrings.
If you are interested that can be purchased here. The value in cost-savings and speed of getting localized very quickly is worth more than $1000+, but it only costs $19.99. Instructions on how to use it will be sent with the code.
Completed running with the csv downloaded automatically
If you found this useful, please share it on X and tag me @IsaacAlbets. Thank you.