AI Translation
ElmapiCMS can translate an entire content entry to another locale using AI. This creates a new entry in the target language, translates all text fields, copies non-text fields, and links both entries as translations.
How to Translate an Entry
- Open a content entry in the editor
- In the right sidebar, click the Translations button (visible when your project has multiple locales)
- In the Translations dialog, find the locale you want to translate to
- Click Translate with AI
- Confirm in the dialog that appears
- Wait for the translation to complete (you'll see progress updates for each field)
- When done, a result dialog shows the token usage and gives you the option to open the translated entry
What Gets Translated
| Field Type | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Text | Translated by AI |
| Long text | Translated by AI |
| Rich text | Translated by AI (HTML formatting is preserved) |
| Slug | Generated from the translated title using the slug source field |
| Number, Boolean, Date, Time, Color | Copied as-is |
| Media | Copied (same images/files) |
| Relations | Copied (same linked entries) |
| Enumeration, JSON | Copied as-is |
| Password | Skipped |
Translation Linking
The translated entry is automatically linked to the original through a translation group. This means:
- Both entries appear in each other's Translations dialog
- The API returns translation information when fetching entries
- You can unlink translations at any time from the Translations dialog
Entry Status
- For regular collections, translated entries are created as Draft. You should review the translation before publishing.
- For singleton collections, translated entries are created as Published immediately, since singletons don't have a draft/publish workflow.
Creating Blank Translations
If you want to manually write the translated content instead of using AI, click the Create button next to a locale in the Translations dialog. This creates an empty entry in that locale, links it as a translation, and opens it for editing.
For regular (non-singleton) collections, you can also use the Select button to link an existing entry as a translation.
Progress and Token Usage
During translation, a progress indicator shows which field is currently being translated (e.g., "Translating Title..."). Each field requires a separate AI call.
When the translation completes, a result dialog shows:
- The total token count (prompt + completion)
- A breakdown of prompt and completion tokens
This helps you track the cost of translations.
Tips
- Review translations before publishing: AI translations are good but not perfect. Always review the result, especially for nuanced content.
- Rich text formatting: The AI preserves HTML tags during translation, so headings, bold text, lists, and other formatting should carry over. Minor formatting adjustments may be needed.
- Slugs are auto-generated: If your collection has a slug field linked to a text field (e.g., title), the slug is generated from the translated title, not translated by the AI. This ensures URL-safe slugs.
- Non-text fields are copied: Media, relations, and other non-text fields are copied directly. If a translated entry needs different images or relations, edit them manually after translation.