Translating MapPress

WordPress plugin translations are created using the POEdit utility. MapPress translation files are stored in the languages directory of the plugin.

Creating a New Translation

  1. Download the latest POEdit
  2. Run POEdit and open the master file mappress.pot or mappress.po from the languages directory of the MapPress plugin
  3. Use the menu File->Save as to save it as a .po file (a translation).  The file name must include an extension for your language.  For example, ‘mappress-es_ES.po’  is for Spanish.  A list of valid language extensions is here.
  4. Translate the strings.
  5. When you’re done use menu ‘file->save’ to save the file again.  POEdit should create a .MO file (a compiled translation) with the same base name as your .PO file.
  6. Send me both the .PO and .MO files, and I’ll include them with all future versions of MapPress!

Updating an Existing Translation

MapPress texts change frequently so you may find there is an existing .PO file for your language but the translation isn’t up to date.  If that happens:

  1. Run POEdit and open the .po file.  For example, for Spanish open mappress-es_ES.po
  2. Use the menu Catalog->Update from POT file. Select the file mappress.pot or mappress.po
  3. Update any missing strings.
  4. Correct any fuzzy strings (they appear in a different color at the top of the file).  For each one, click on menu Edit->Translation is Fuzzy to remove the fuzzy indicator.  You can also hit ALT-U.
  5. Save your .PO file.  POEdit should re-generate the corresponding .MO file.
  6. Send me both the .PO and .MO files, and I’ll include them with all future versions of MapPress!