Translation

Overview

When working with an international team, you may need to present a data collection form in multiple languages. In addition to translating the database structure, form designers can use the Translations field property to create reference data sets in multiple languages. Using fields set as Translations, you can provide your own translations of reference records. For example, you might make a list of countries available in English and French by adding a French translation field in addition to the original field in English.

Behaviour

The Translation field property marks a field as a translation of another field. When users view the form in a different language, ActivityInfo will substitute the value in the original language field to that of the corresponding translation field.

Reference fields linked to a form containing translations of key fields will display the translation field that corresponds to the system language set by the user. If a translation has not been provided, the system will display the field corresponding to the original language.

A user who has set their system language to the original language of the database will see the original field value.

A user who has set their system language to a different language will see the value in the corresponding translation field. In the example above, the user has set their system language to French. The user is able to see the French translation for the United States (Les États-Unis) since this was provided in the reference form. However, the other options are displayed in the original language (English) as translations were not provided for those records.

Only languages supported by ActivityInfo can be used with the translation feature.

Supported field types

Text

Setting a field as a translation

Before you can use the Translation field property, make sure you have added at least one other language in addition to the original language set in your database.

Step 1: Add a text field

This field will contain the translated value of your field. We recommend identifying the language in the field label to help distinguish different translations especially if you are using multiple languages.

Step 2: Set the field as a Translation

a. Check “Translation under “Settings”.

b. Select the field containing the original value under “Translation of field”.

c. Select the language of this field. The list will contain the languages you have added to the database.

If the field for the original language is required, then all translation fields linked to that field must also be set as required.

If you need to translate the form into multiple languages, repeat the steps above for each language.

Step 3: Add the translation to your record

Once all your translation fields are set, edit the records in your form and enter the translated values in the corresponding translation fields.

Next item

Form import/export spreadsheet format