Get highly accurate CSV translation in minutes with PTC. Upload your .csv files — PTC auto-translates the text and delivers a ready-to-use downloadable file.
How to Translate CSV Files in Minutes
Private Translation Cloud (PTC) can translate CSV files in 35 languages. Get quick and accurate translations to use in Shopify, Magento (Adobe Commerce), and other projects.
Step 1
Sign Up for a Free Trial
Sign up for a free 30-day trial. No credit card is needed. During the trial you can translate up to 20,000 words in your CSV files (and other supported file formats) into any two languages.
Step 2
Upload Your CSV File and Add Project Details and Languages
When you use PTC for the first time, tell PTC what your product is and who uses it. A short description is enough for PTC to choose the right tone, terminology, and level of formality for your audience.
In this same step, you’ll also choose your translation languages. Pick any of the 33+ supported languages.
Then, upload the CSV file that contains your source strings. PTC translates the text while keeping all keys, placeholders, and file structure exactly as in your original.
Step 3
Download Translated File and View Translations
When PTC is done translating (usually a few minutes), you can immediately download a ZIP file with the translations. When you unzip it, you’ll find a CSV file for each language, all following the same structure as your original file.
If you want to view translations first, switch to the Translations tab from the PTC dashboard.
If you edit or retranslate, you can download a new ZIP file with the updated translations, from the Resource Files tab.
Automating CSV Translation
Once you’ve seen PTC in action and are ready to keep your CSV files localized with every release, you can move to a continuous localization workflow. PTC gives you two options: the API or a Git integration with your GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket repository.
To set up continuous localization for an existing project:
- Git Integration: Go to Settings → Merge Requests and click Add Git Integration to connect your repository to PTC. You’ll need to grant read and write access using OAuth or a personal access token, and choose the branches you want PTC to monitor. PTC will detect changes, translate new or updated strings, and open a merge request for your review.
- API Integration: Go to Settings → Manage API Tokens and click Add Access Token. Then check the complete API documentation for all available endpoints. Your system can send CSV files to PTC via the API, and PTC returns the translated files in the same request, making translation a seamless part of your build process.
For every new project you create on the same PTC account, the setup wizard will offer the API and Git Integration options from the start, so you won’t need to manually upload a file first.
Translating App Descriptions and Additional Content
To get the most out of localization, translate user-facing text that isn’t in your .csv files, such as:
- App store or marketplace listings
- Help center articles
- Onboarding emails
- Setup instructions
You can translate these texts by going to Translations → Paste to translate in your project’s dashboard.
Example: How To Translate a Shopify App Store Listing
Your Shopify app store listing likely includes the app name, tagline, and short and long descriptions.
Shopify provides automated translations into 8 languages, but you have no control over tone, terminology, or quality. With PTC, you can translate your listing into any of the supported languages, using the same project context as your CSV translation.
- Go to Translations → Paste to translate
- Paste your listing text
Next, manually copy and paste the translated versions into the Shopify Partner Dashboard:
- Open your app listing and click Distribution.
- Click Create listing or Manage listing.
- Click Add translated listing.
- Paste PTC’s translations into the appropriate fields for each selected language.
- Return to the App listings page and click Update app.
Keeping Your CSV File Optimized for Translation
Use this checklist to make sure your .csv file structure, placeholders, and content are optimized so translations stay accurate, consistent, and ready to use in every language.
✔ Include a Unique Key for Each String
Every row should have a key that uniquely identifies the string. PTC uses the key column to track and match strings across languages. Without it, translations may be lost, overwritten, or shown in the wrong context.
Example
Correctly structured CSV file
key
source_text (
English)
1
welcome_message
Welcome to our app!
2
button_submit
Submit
3
error_invalid_login
Invalid username or password.
4
notification_update_available
A new update is available.
Incorrect structure with no keys
source_text ( English)
Welcome to our app!
Submit
Invalid username or password
✔ Keep Placeholders Consistent
Use a single, consistent placeholder style such as {username}, %s, or {0}, and make sure it matches the format your software expects. This prevents placeholders from being mistranslated or broken.
Example
Correct – Consistent placeholder format
key
source_text ( English)
1
welcome_user
Welcome, {username}!
2
time_left
You have {0} minutes left
Incorrect – Missing or malformed placeholders
key
source_text ( English)
1
welcome_user
Welcome username!
2
time_left
You have minutes: 5
✔ Separate Singular and Plural Forms
Use separate rows and keys for singular and plural versions. You should also use clear keys like item_singular and item_plural for context. If you combine multiple plural forms, translations won’t adapt to the grammar rules of other languages.
Example
Correct – Separate entries for plural forms
key
source_text ( English)
1
item_singular
1 item
2
item_plural
{count} items
Incorrect – Combining both singular and plural forms into one line
key
source_text ( English)
1
item_count
1 item or {count} items
2
time_left
You have minutes: 5
✔ Escape Special Characters Properly
If a string contains commas, quotes, or newlines, enclose it in double quotes. Escape inner quotes by doubling them. This prevents broken CSV formatting and ensures translations stay intact.
Example
Correct – Proper CSV escaping
key
source_text ( English)
1
quote_example
“She said, “”Hello!”””
2
newline_example
“Instructions:\n1. Open the app\n2. Log in”
Incorrect – Unescaped special characters
key
source_text ( English)
1
quote_example
She said, “Hello!”
2
newline_example
Instructions: 1. Open the app 2. Log in
✔ Use UTF-8 Encoding
Save your file in UTF-8 to support all special characters, accents, and non-Latin alphabets. This avoids issues with characters appearing as “???” or boxes.
Translate Your CSV File Online
Translate your CSV files with PTC and get human quality at machine speed and cost. Save hours of manual work and reach users in their own language. Start today with a free trial — no credit card required.
