Import translations from JSON

The import tool restores compatible text translations into source strings that already exist on the current site. It validates the file locally and on the server before enabling the import controls.

Import one language

1. Complete the import preparation.
2. Open Settings → POM Translate → Tools → Translation maintenance.
3. Under Import translations, select the exported JSON file.
4. Select Validate file.
5. Review the available locale counts and warnings about locales not enabled on this site.
6. Choose an Import language.
7. Under Existing translations, keep Skip existing translations or deliberately choose Override existing translations.
8. Select Start import and keep the page open until processing finishes.

The browser processes the selected locale entry by entry and reports imported and skipped results.

Matching behavior

Each imported original is matched against the exact source text already stored by POM Translate. One original can match more than one stored string; the translation is applied to every valid match for the selected locale.

An entry is skipped when:

• no exact source string exists;
• the imported translation is empty after sanitization;
• Skip existing translations finds a non-empty stored value;
• protected placeholder validation fails.

Valid imported workflow statuses are preserved. Unsupported statuses submitted outside the validated file workflow fall back to human.

Important limits

Import does not create WordPress objects, parse missing source content, add locales, restore localized slugs, or change plugin settings. It also does not import all locales in one operation.

After completion, use the validation guide. If unexpectedly many entries are reported as missing, stop and confirm that destination content was migrated and parsed before retrying.