Upload your CSV files to PTC, use AI-powered translation, and download ready-to-go translation files in minutes.
How to Translate CSV Files with PTC
Private Translation Cloud (PTC) can translate CSV files in 40+ 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 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
When you use PTC for the first time, the setup wizard will walk you through a few quick steps:
- Uploading your CSV file and setting output paths
- Selecting your target languages — choose any two from PTC’s 40+ supported languages
- Adding a short description of your product and who uses it
- Adding a glossary (optional)
That last step is what sets PTC apart from standard machine translation. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, PTC uses your product context to choose the right tone, terminology, and level of formality for each language. PTC also keeps all keys, placeholders, and file structure exactly as they are in your original file.
Step 3
Download Your Translated Files
When PTC is done translating — usually just a few minutes — you can download a ZIP file from the Resource files tab. When you unzip it, you’ll find a CSV file for each language, all following the same structure as your original.
If you’d like to review your translations first, head to the Translations tab. You can edit individual strings manually or request a retranslation of specific strings. If PTC detects any translations that exceed your string length limits, it’ll highlight them so you can adjust the limits or ask PTC to retranslate with the constraint in mind.
Once you’re happy, download a fresh ZIP with your 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:
- Git Integration: Go to Settings → Merge Requests and click Add Git Integration to connect your GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket repository. 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 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.
For every new project you create on the same PTC account, the setup wizard will offer Git and API integration as 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, consider translating 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 by going to Translations → Paste to translate in your project 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 set up 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.
