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An import brings existing translations into Tolk, for example when you connect a project or when a translation agency sends a file back. Tolk always shows a preview first and only writes after you confirm. Managers and developers can import.

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Supported formats

Tolk recognizes the format, the language and the namespace from the path: lang/de/auth.php becomes language de, namespace auth. If Tolk cannot derive the language, you choose it yourself.

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How to import

1

Choose files

In the editor, click Import (Importeren) and drag one or more files or a zip into the window. You can upload up to 20 files at once.
2

Map columns (CSV and XLSX)

For each column, say what it contains: exactly one column with the key and a column per language you want to import. Optional: namespace, context, plural and description. Tolk ignores columns you do not map. Without a language column, the file only creates keys; see Importing keys only.
  • The mapping works on the position of the column, so two columns with the same heading or an empty heading can still be mapped separately.
  • A column without a heading but with values is called “Column C” (Kolom C; the letter as in Excel). Tolk leaves out a column with neither a heading nor values.
  • With Save as preset (Bewaren als preset), Tolk uses the same layout automatically next time, for a file with the same headings in the same order. Useful when a customer always delivers the same Excel file.
  • Tolk suggests a mapping from the headings: key, namespace, context, plural and description name their role, and a language code or name (de, de_DE, German, Duits) names a language. A file with one other column besides those, such as key,value, gets the language of the editor you imported from for that column.
  • Under the table, Tolk says why the mapping cannot be applied yet: no key column or more than one, a language in two columns, or namespace, context, plural or description in two columns. Apply columns (Kolommen toepassen) is available as soon as the mapping is valid.
3

Review the preview

Tolk counts new translations, translations that change an existing one, unchanged lines, unknown keys and placeholder errors. With Show examples (Voorbeelden bekijken) you see a few lines of each kind.For a CSV or XLSX file, the preview shows the languages of your column mapping next to Change columns (Kolommen aanpassen); you change them there, not with a language field. For other files you choose the language in the preview. After a change, Tolk counts again while the preview stays in place and keeps your choices.If the new keys do not fit within the key limit of the plan, the preview says how much room is left and you cannot import with Create unknown keys (Onbekende keys aanmaken) switched on. Switch that option off to update existing keys only, or contact Every Day for a larger plan.
4

Choose options

  • Overwrite existing translations (Bestaande vertalingen overschrijven): when off, Tolk only fills empty translations; when on, it also replaces existing ones.
  • Create unknown keys: keys that are not yet in the project are created.
  • Add a tag to new keys (Tag toevoegen aan nieuwe keys, optional).
5

Import

Click Import … translations (… vertalingen importeren). The import continues in the background, even if you close the window. You get a notification when it is done.

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Importing keys only

A CSV or XLSX file with a key column but no language column creates keys without translations, for example a list of new keys from a developer with their descriptions. Map the key column and, optionally, the namespace, context, plural and description; under the table Tolk confirms that only keys will be created.
  • The preview counts New keys (Nieuwe keys), keys that Already exist (Bestaan al) and Archived (Gearchiveerd) keys, and shows Keys only (Alleen keys) instead of the languages. The button reads Import … keys (… keys importeren).
  • New keys are always created, with their namespace, context, description and, when the plural column names categories such as one and other, as a plural key. You can add a tag to them.
  • Existing keys stay as they are, also their description. To change descriptions, import them together with the source language.
  • Archived keys are skipped. A key that appears twice in the file is an error of the file.
  • You need the right to create keys, and the new keys must fit within the key limit of the plan. Each key counts as one line toward the 50,000 lines per import.
  • A file without a language column cannot be imported together with translation files: import it separately.
  • A column mapping without a language can be saved as a preset, like any other.

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How large an import may be

A project with 10,000 keys in 5 languages fits exactly. If the import is larger, Tolk says: “This import is too large: at most 50,000 lines (keys × languages) per import. Split the files and import them in parts.” In that case, split by language or by namespace.

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What Tolk skips

  • Archived keys.
  • Empty lines.
  • Lines that do not fit the key, such as plural forms for a key without plurals.
A translation with a placeholder error is imported. You fix it afterwards in the editor; until then it is not included in an export.

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Security

  • PHP files are never executed. Tolk only reads arrays of strings; it rejects everything else.
  • Zip files are checked for unsafe paths, symbolic links, encryption and suspiciously large content.
You can also import through the API, for example from CI. See Imports and exports through the API.